Events at Avon Heath Country Park

Easter Bunny Making

Wildlife in Folklore Trail poster

Wednesday 9 April
10am-4pm (1-hour sessions)

Get into the Easter spirit and build your very own Easter Bunny with Avon Heath Outdoors. Use our homemade kits to create a bunny with its own unique character.

All children must bring an adult. Suitable for ages 4+. Booking in advance recommended, but drop-in spaces may be available.

Cost £10 per bunny.

Booking essential.

 

 

Flower and leaf art

Artistic arrangement of colourful leaves on a light beige background with a purple banner reading 'Flower and Leaf Art' and a green leaf illustration.

Every Thursday during the summer holidays.

11:30am to 12:30pm and 3pm to 4pm

Let nature become your paintbrush by using rocks to gently bash the imprint of flowers and leaves onto card or linen, then take your item home with you.

At the Visitor Centre.
Free, no need to book.

Creative creatures trail

Five cartoon ants with different hats: construction helmet, chef's hat, crown, nurse's cap, and artist's beret. Text above reads 'Creative Creatures Trail.'

From Friday 18 July

Avon Heath is home to some amazingly creative creatures.
Discover some of the different things they get up to here at the park. Match the clues to the creatures in the activity sheet and count the ants along the way.

Pick up your trail pack from the Visitor Centre every day between 10am and 4pm.

Trail packs cost £4 and include a prize.

 

Archery taster sessions

Every half an hour from midday to 3pm on:

  • Monday 28 July
  • Monday 4 August
  • Monday 11 August
  • Monday 25 August
  • Monday 1 September

Have a go at archery with Craig from Surviving Wild Bushcraft. Discover the art of archery while building new skills and having a fun time in the great outdoors. These ‘walk-up’ 30-minute taster sessions are perfect for a quick taste of the action!

Suitable for 6+ year olds.
£5 for a 30-minute session.
Meet on the Green. No need to book, just turn up!

Archery lessons: 4-week course

Split image of archery lessons: targets in a wooded area on the left, instructor teaching a boy on the right.
Choose 4 of the following dates:
  • Monday 28 July
  • Monday 4 August
  • Monday 11 August
  • Monday 25 August
  • Monday 1 September
From 9:30am to 11am.

Join Craig from Surviving Wild Bushcraft for an exciting 4-week archery course. Discover the art of archery while building new skills and having a fun time in the great outdoors.

Suitable for 6+ year olds.
Meet on the Green.
£80 for a 4-week course.
To book, please phone 01425 478082 or visit the Visitor Centre.

Falcons Crest: Meet the Raptors

Willow workshop poster with two swallows made out of willow

Join us on Wednesdays during the summer holidays, from 10am to 4pm, on the following dates:

  • 30 July
  • 6 August
  • 20 August
  • 27 August

The Falcons Crest birds and experts are back for the summer!

Come and meet the raptors and learn all about these beautiful birds from their expert handlers. They will be at the park on most Wednesdays during the summer holidays. You will also have the chance to hold one of these amazing creatures. Small charge per person for this activity.

£4 per person for bird handling.
No booking required.
Meet on the Green.

Bat Discovery Walk

Willow workshop poster with two swallows made out of willow

Friday 1 August at 8:15pm
Friday 15 August at 7:45pm

A chance to discover more about the bats that live at Avon Heath. Find out about the fascinating lives of these nocturnal creatures and how the bats at Avon Heath are being studied. Includes a walk across the heath to detect bats as they forage in the night.

£7.30 per adult, £5.50 per child

Phone 01425 478082 to book your place

Meet at the Visitor Centre

Mayhem of Mad4Animals

Willow workshop poster with two swallows made out of willow

Monday 18 August at 10:30am, 1pm or 3pm
Tuesday 2 September at 10:30am, 1pm or 3pm

The Mayhem of Mad4Animals show is heading back to Avon Heath Country Park this summer.

Not only will you see a highly entertaining show, but directly afterwards there will be a chance for you to get your hands on some of the animals in the show and even have pictures with the giant snakes!

Each session is 1 hour and 30 minutes long, giving you lots of time with the animals, have photos with them and ask any questions you may have.

You can pre-book tickets or walk in. There are only 100 spaces per session, so once it's full, we won't be able to accommodate anyone else. Booking in advance is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

Tickets are £6.50 (plus ticket fee) per person. 2 years and under are free.

Book online 

Please note the following:
 
  • parking charges apply
  • parking spaces are limited, please arrive in good time
  • due to the capacity of the venue, no pushchairs are allowed inside the circus tent
  • all children of 2 years old and under are free but MUST be carried by an adult
  • if wind conditions are non-favourable, we have the right to cancel at any time. In this instance - you will be offered a refund or a ticket to another show

Silver jewellery workshop event

Hippocampus silver jewellery workshop poster

Thursday 11 September

From 10am to 1pm

Discover the wonderful world of jewellery making with experienced silversmith Jenn from Hippocampus silver.

A 3 hour workshop to learn the basics - from designing, sawing, filing, soldering, texturing with hammers and polishing - and create your very own hammered silver ring.

Meet in the activity room.

£50 per person. All materials included in the price.

Booking essential. Please phone 01425 478082 to book your place.

Muddy Dog Dash with Lewis-Manning Hospice Care

Poster for the muddy dog dash at Avon Heath Country park. Poster features a person running through mud with a dog underneath their arm.
Sunday 28 September

Get ready for an action packed dog friendly adventure at Avon Heath. The Muddy Dog Dash is a fun filled, muddy obstacle course supporting Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, and this year it’s happening in our beautiful park.

What to expect:
 
  • a choice of 3km or 5km doggy dash routes
  • obstacles including muddy ditches, tunnels, wiggle poles, tyre runs and ramps
  • go solo or bring your four legged friend
  • a feel good, family friendly atmosphere
  • event village with stalls and entertainment
Don’t miss the Dazzling Dog Show at 3pm.

Entries: £3 per category or £5 for unlimited (book as add-ons when you register).

We encourage participants to raise £50 in sponsorship per dog, helping fund therapy and nursing sessions for patients facing life limiting illnesses.

Booking: Spaces are limited so book your place today by visiting Muddy Dog Dash 2025 - Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.

Sunflower willow workshop

Poster for the muddy dog dash at Avon Heath Country park. Poster features a person running through mud with a dog underneath their arm.
Thursday 29 September
10am to midday

Celebrate the sunflower season by weaving your own willow sunflower.

Whether you're new to willow weaving or have some experience, this fun workshop is a great way to learn traditional weaving techniques. Create some beautiful flowers to decorate your home or garden.
Suitable for 16+ year olds.

£28 including all materials for one or two flowers.

Meet in the Activity Room.

Phone 01426 478082 to book your place.

Health Walks

A frosty morning on the heath, the heather is covered by a layer of ice, with tall conifers in the background.
Our Health Walks are on Tuesdays from 2pm to 3pm, leaving from the Visitor Centre. Led by our team of friendly volunteers they are a chance to walk with a group and perhaps make some new friends.

Special offer for any new Health Walker - get free parking for your first three weeks. And of course, the walks are also free.

You must register for the walk and complete our health questionnaire before you attend. We recommend arriving a few minutes before to check in with the walk leader. Find out more about Dorset Health Walks.

Contact us

Avon Heath Country Park

Name: Avon Heath Country Park
Email: avonheath@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01425 478082
Full contact details