Events at Avon Heath Country Park
Wonders of the Night Sky
Saturday 7 November and Saturday 12 December
7pm to 8.30pm
Join Fordingbridge Astronomers in exploring the magical mysteries of the night sky through their telescopes and expertise. They will explain how to use telescopes to recognise the planets and stars that adorn our skies.
In the event of poor weather, we will be treated to an interactive talk instead.
Suitable for ages 6+
Meet at the Visitor Centre
£8 per person.
Parking charges included in price.
Booking essential. Book online (booking fee applies) or call the rangers on 01425 478082.
7pm to 8.30pm
Join Fordingbridge Astronomers in exploring the magical mysteries of the night sky through their telescopes and expertise. They will explain how to use telescopes to recognise the planets and stars that adorn our skies.
In the event of poor weather, we will be treated to an interactive talk instead.
Suitable for ages 6+
Meet at the Visitor Centre
£8 per person.
Parking charges included in price.
Booking essential. Book online (booking fee applies) or call the rangers on 01425 478082.
Ring making workshop
Monday 9 November
10am to 1pm
Discover the wonderful world of silversmithing with experienced silversmith Jenn. A three hour workshop to learn the basics, from designing, sawing, filing, soldering, texturing with hammers and polishing. Create your very own ring with a bezel set stone.
Suitable for 16+ year olds (12+ with accompanying adult)
Meet at the Visitor Centre
£60 including all materials
Booking essential. Book online (booking fee applies) or call the rangers on 01425 478082.
10am to 1pm
Discover the wonderful world of silversmithing with experienced silversmith Jenn. A three hour workshop to learn the basics, from designing, sawing, filing, soldering, texturing with hammers and polishing. Create your very own ring with a bezel set stone.
Suitable for 16+ year olds (12+ with accompanying adult)
Meet at the Visitor Centre
£60 including all materials
Booking essential. Book online (booking fee applies) or call the rangers on 01425 478082.
Willow Christmas tree workshop
Thursday 26 November
10am to 12:15pm
This event is now fully booked.
Make a beautiful willow Christmas tree that lasts well beyond the festive season. In this workshop you'll weave your own elegant obelisk structure standing up to 150cm tall, and make willow stars to decorate. You can decorate your tree at home with winter foliage and lights and enjoy either inside or outside. After the festive season it can be transformed into a practical plant support for sweet peas, beans, climbing flowers, or other garden favourites in spring. A wonderful way to celebrate the season while creating a sustainable, handcrafted piece for your garden to enjoy year after year.
Suitable for 16+ year olds (12+ with accompanying adult)
Meet in the Activity Room
£42
10am to 12:15pm
This event is now fully booked.
Make a beautiful willow Christmas tree that lasts well beyond the festive season. In this workshop you'll weave your own elegant obelisk structure standing up to 150cm tall, and make willow stars to decorate. You can decorate your tree at home with winter foliage and lights and enjoy either inside or outside. After the festive season it can be transformed into a practical plant support for sweet peas, beans, climbing flowers, or other garden favourites in spring. A wonderful way to celebrate the season while creating a sustainable, handcrafted piece for your garden to enjoy year after year.
Suitable for 16+ year olds (12+ with accompanying adult)
Meet in the Activity Room
£42
Pull-a-pine - Christmas conservation task
Saturday 28 November 2026
10:30am, midday and 1pm slots available.
This event is now fully booked.
£20 per family.
The perfect start to the festive season, come and help us remove invasive Scots pine trees at this family-friendly event and choose one, or more, to take home with you. Hot drinks, Christmas treats and plenty of festive cheer also provided.
Book online or call us at the Visitor Centre on 01425 478082.
10:30am, midday and 1pm slots available.
This event is now fully booked.
£20 per family.
The perfect start to the festive season, come and help us remove invasive Scots pine trees at this family-friendly event and choose one, or more, to take home with you. Hot drinks, Christmas treats and plenty of festive cheer also provided.
Book online or call us at the Visitor Centre on 01425 478082.
Reindeer and snowman making
Sunday 6 December and Sunday 13 December
Between 10am and 3pm (hourly time slots)
Craft a delightful reindeer or snowman with Craig from Surviving Wild Bushcraft. Add a touch of festive magic to your home. Small creations are perfect for displaying by your tree or on a mantelpiece, while larger designs can sit by your front door to welcome guests, and even Santa!
All materials are provided, so you can add as much sparkle as you like.
Small reindeer £10
Large reindeer £15
Small snowman £7.50
Large snowman £12.50
Meet outside the Visitor Centre.
Book online or call us at the Visitor Centre on 01425 478082.
Between 10am and 3pm (hourly time slots)
Craft a delightful reindeer or snowman with Craig from Surviving Wild Bushcraft. Add a touch of festive magic to your home. Small creations are perfect for displaying by your tree or on a mantelpiece, while larger designs can sit by your front door to welcome guests, and even Santa!
All materials are provided, so you can add as much sparkle as you like.
Small reindeer £10
Large reindeer £15
Small snowman £7.50
Large snowman £12.50
Meet outside the Visitor Centre.
Book online or call us at the Visitor Centre on 01425 478082.
Willow star workshop
Thursday 10 December, 10am to midday.
£32 per person
Weave your very own unique large willow star!
What better way to adorn your Christmas tree or front door than your handcrafted star. In this workshop you will learn to make the star shape and then choose from a choice of 3 different styles of decoration. A set of LED fairy lights is also included.
Booking essential. Book online (booking fee applies) or call the rangers on 01425 478082.
£32 per person
Weave your very own unique large willow star!
What better way to adorn your Christmas tree or front door than your handcrafted star. In this workshop you will learn to make the star shape and then choose from a choice of 3 different styles of decoration. A set of LED fairy lights is also included.
Booking essential. Book online (booking fee applies) or call the rangers on 01425 478082.
Earring making workshop
Friday 11 December
10am to 1pm
Discover the wonderful world of silversmithing with experienced silversmith Jenn. A 3 hour workshop to learn the basics, from designing, sawing, filing, soldering, texturing with hammers and polishing - and create a beautiful pair of earrings.
Suitable for 16+ year olds (12+ with accompanying adult)
Meet at the Visitor Centre.
£60 including all materials.
Book online or call us at the Visitor Centre on 01425 478082.
10am to 1pm
Discover the wonderful world of silversmithing with experienced silversmith Jenn. A 3 hour workshop to learn the basics, from designing, sawing, filing, soldering, texturing with hammers and polishing - and create a beautiful pair of earrings.
Suitable for 16+ year olds (12+ with accompanying adult)
Meet at the Visitor Centre.
£60 including all materials.
Book online or call us at the Visitor Centre on 01425 478082.
1, 2, 3... Create your own Bonsai Tree
Join Bonsai tree enthusiasts Barre and Peter to learn all you need to know about selecting, shaping, pruning and caring for your mini Scots Pine/Silver Birch trees harvested from the heath.
Meet in the activity room for an introductory talk and slideshow before walking to the chosen location out on the heath to select some likely specimens.
Session 2: Sunday 28 February 2027 from 1pm to 4:30pm. Return to harvest and pot up your trees.
Session 3: Sunday 13 June 2027 from 1pm to 4:30pm. Return with your trees for further advice from our 2 enthusiasts.
You need to be able to commit to all 3 sessions to take part in this workshop.
£20 per session for 3 trees. This flat rate applies whether attending individually or as a group.
Booking essential. Call the Visitor Centre on 01425 478082
Meet in the activity room for an introductory talk and slideshow before walking to the chosen location out on the heath to select some likely specimens.
Session 2: Sunday 28 February 2027 from 1pm to 4:30pm. Return to harvest and pot up your trees.
Session 3: Sunday 13 June 2027 from 1pm to 4:30pm. Return with your trees for further advice from our 2 enthusiasts.
You need to be able to commit to all 3 sessions to take part in this workshop.
£20 per session for 3 trees. This flat rate applies whether attending individually or as a group.
Booking essential. Call the Visitor Centre on 01425 478082
Health Walks
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.
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.