Events at Avon Heath Country Park

Pull-a-pine conservation task

Red and white spotted mushroom (Amanita muscaria) with 'Fungi foray' text in a green box.
Sunday 30 November

10:30am, midday or 1pm slots

Take part in this popular family-friendly event and help protect our heathland by removing and burning invasive Scots pine.

These small trees, if left unmanaged, can overwhelm the habitat and prevent native species like gorse and heath from thriving, vital plants for our rare heathland wildlife. As a thank you for your hard work, we invite you to take home a pine tree of your choice for Christmas.

Hot and cold drinks and mince pies will be served along with plenty of festive cheer.

£15 per family.

Booking essential on 01425 478082.

Christmas reindeer hunt

Decorative willow pumpkin shown outdoors and indoors, with 'Willow workshop' text on an orange banner.
Friday 5 December 2025 to Monday 5 January 2026

This Christmas, the reindeer are on the loose - can you find them all?

Join our free festive activity and see how many reindeer pictures you can spot around Avon Heath. They're hiding all over the park so keep your eyes peeled!

Pop into the Visitor Centre between 10am and 4pm to let the rangers know how many you found.

Wonders of the night sky

Silversmith workshop text with photos of silver star charms, a hammered silver ring around speckled eggs, and a silver necklace with small flower charms.
Saturday 14 March

7pm to 9pm

Join Fordingbridge Astronomers in exploring the magical mysteries of the night sky through their telescopes and expertise.

Local experts 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 6+ year olds

£7.50 per person (parking charges included in price)

Book online (booking fee applies) or call 01425 478082

Easter Hunt

Illustration of a magnifying glass highlighting a patterned Easter egg next to a cartoon bunny.
Saturday 21 March to Sunday 12 April

Ready to go on an egg‑citing adventure?

The wait is almost over. Our family‑friendly Easter Hunt is coming to Avon Heath.

Help Rosie the rabbit uncover who laid the golden egg. Hunt for the hidden eggs and solve the riddles in the activity sheet. Hop on over and join the fun! 
Pick up your activity pack from the Visitor Centre (between 10am and 4pm) to uncover the riddles.

£3.50 per activity pack
 

Birds of a Feather trail

Dartford warbler perched on a flowering gorse bush, showing grey plumage and a reddish chest against a softly blurred background.
From 18 July

Discover some of the amazing birds that live on the heath. Follow the trail and use the clue posters to answer the questions. Buy your trail sheet from the Visitor Centre for £3.50, any time between 10am and 4pm.
 

Watercolour Painting Workshop

Watercolour-style illustration of Stonehenge with standing stones silhouetted against a warm yellow and orange sky. Small bird shapes appear in the upper sky. No visible text.
Thursday 10 September
10am to 12:30pm

Join this small friendly group for a relaxing morning creating an image of nearby landmark Stonehenge to take home with you. £30pp, all materials provided.

Booking essential on 01425 478082 or come and see us in the Visitor Centre.

Wildlife day

Three children looking at creatures within a plastic tub with a member of staff
Saturday 12 September
10am to 3pm

Join us for a celebration of all things heathland. Meet our rangers and wildlife experts, who will be on hand to share fascinating insights into our rare heathland habitats and the incredible wildlife that calls them home.

Enjoy a great day out with fun and free activities for all the family including reptile encounters with Hilltop Herpetology, bug hunts, birdwatching, pond dipping, nature-themed crafts and wildlife talks. You can also get up close to magnificent birds of prey with The Falcons Crest display (small charge applies).

 

Beautiful Butterflies Trail

Butterfly on purple lavender plants
From 23 May

Beautiful butterflies and marvellous moths are amazing insects. Find out more about these precious creatures on our trail.

Use the code to find the missing words and count the caterpillars along the way.

Buy your trail sheet from the Visitor Centre for £3.50 between 10am and 4pm.

Candle making using repurposed containers

Willow garden obelisk workshop text with two woven willow obelisks shown outdoors against garden and wall backdrops.
Thursday 16 April

10am to 12pm

Discover the art of sustainable candle making in this creative, eco-friendly workshop. Jo from Bella and Barley will help you transform pre-loved vessels into beautiful, unique candles. Whether it's a vintage teacup, an old jam jar or an empty coconut shell, you'll learn how to transform it into a natural soy wax candle using essential oils.
You’ll learn a variety of techniques and leave with 4–5 unique candles to enjoy or gift. Perfect for beginners, this workshop is a wonderful way to upcycle while creating something practical and stylish. Feel free to bring your own small container to give it a new life.

Age: suitable for 16+, or 12+ accompanied by an adult

Meet in the activity room

£35

SOLD OUT.

Silversmith workshop

Silversmith workshops text with images of a silver ring, hands hammering metal, and a silver necklace with a heart pendant.
Wednesday 6 May

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 your very own set of 3 hammered stacker rings. 

Suitable for 16+ year olds (12+ with accompanying adult)

Meet in the Activity Room
£50 including all materials

Book online (booking fee applies) or call 01425 478082.

Macrame workshop

Willow garden obelisk workshop text with two woven willow obelisks shown outdoors against garden and wall backdrops.
Thursday 21 May

10am to 11.30am

Learn the art of macramé with ease. Join Jo from Bella and Barley in this hands-on session where you’ll master a few simple knots and create your very own stylish dog lead - or a chic belt if you prefer - in a colour of your choice. 

Perfect for beginners and a fun challenge for those with experience. 
Walk away with a unique accessory and be the envy of every dog walker at Avon Heath.

Age: suitable for 16+, or 12+ accompanied by an adult

Meet in the activity room

£25

Book online (booking fee applies) or call 01425 478082.

Archery and throwing angels

Archery target and axe‑throwing board with arrows and axes, with “Archery and throwing angels” text.
Wednesday 27 May

10am to 3pm

Come and try your hand at archery or throwing angels at these drop-in sessions. These great outdoor activities offer the perfect blend of fun, focus and friendly competition.

Expert trainer Craig from Surviving Wild Bushcraft will show you the best techniques to help everyone hit the target.

Suitable for 6+year olds

Weather dependent (call on the day to check event is going ahead)

Meet on the Green

£7.50 per person for a 30-minute session (with others)

No need to book

Grass head making

Grass‑head craft materials, including a sock face with sprouting grass hair, soil, seeds, googly eyes, elastic bands, and tights on a wooden surface.
Thursday 28 May

11am to 3pm (sessions throughout the day)

Make your very own grass head. They're fun, cheerful, and guaranteed to make you smile every day!

Get creative as you design and decorate your grass head, then take it home, pop it on a sunny windowsill, and watch its grassy hair grow longer and wilder day by day.

Meet in the Activity Room

£5 per grass head

No booking required. Drop in any time between 11am and 3pm.

Watercolour Painting Workshop

Abstract watercolour painting of tall wildflowers with loose ink outlines in soft pink, yellow, blue, and green tones.
Thursday 11 June

10am to 12:30pm

A watercolour workshop for adults with local artist Julie Redwood. Join this small group workshop for a relaxing morning of watercolour painting. Julie will provide you with all the expertise needed to create beautiful spring themed paintings to take home. All materials and equipment provided. 

Meet in the Activity Room

£30 per person

To book, phone 01425 478082 or pop into the Visitor Centre.

1, 2, 3... Create your own Bonsai Tree

Bonsai workshop text alongside an illustration of pruning scissors and pine needles, with a small potted bonsai tree on the right.
Try your hand at this ancient Japanese art form using Avon Heath's mini Scots pines. Join Bonsai enthusiasts Barre and Peter for this 3-session workshop. Learn all you need to know including choosing, pruning and caring for your tree.

Session 3: Sunday 14 June, 1pm to 4:30pm

Return with your trees for more advice on caring for, pruning and shaping your Yamadori Bonsai mini Scots pines.

£20 per person or per couple or per family group (for 3 trees)

Meet in the activity room.

Phone 01425 478 082 to book your place.

Earring making Workshop

Two pairs of handmade silver earrings shown close up, including long textured bar earrings and small dangling disc earrings worn on an ear.
Monday 15 June

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.

£50 including all materials

Suitable for 16+ year olds (12+ with accompanying adult)

Meet in the Activity Room

Book online (booking fee applies) or call 01425 478082

Willow Hare Workshop

Weaved hares in stakes within a flower bed with a fence behind
Thursday 16 July

10am to midday

Come and create up to 3 beautiful willow hares with Bella and Barley Craft. Have fun and learn some simple weaving techniques. Your hares will look beautiful on the wall, amongst your plants or even as a mobile. Perfect for beginners and fun for those with experience.

£29 including all materials

Suitable for 16+ year olds (12+ with accompanying adult)

Meet in the Activity Room

Book online (booking fee applies) or call 01425 478 082

Silver pendant necklace workshop

Silver and gold handmade pendants, including a star, a star‑decorated ring and a wave design.
Tuesday 22 September
10am to 1pm

Discover the wonderful world of silversmithing with experienced silversmith Jenn.

A 3-hour workshop to learn the basics of silversmithing. From designing and sawing to filing, soldering, texturing with hammers and polishing, you'll create your very own beautiful pendant necklace.

Meet in the Activity Room

Suitable for 16+ year olds (12+ with accompanying adult)
£60 including all materials.

Book online (booking fee applies) or call 01425 478082

Wire Flower workshop

A clear vase with black flowers carved from wire with a beige background
Thursday 24 September
10am to midday

Join Jo from Bella and Barley Craft for a wire flower workshop to create a beautiful display of flowers.

In this workshop you will learn different sculpting techniques using wire, including joining and tool knowledge to basic or medium levels.
You will be shown how to create at least 4 different types of foliage and then go on to create as many pieces as time allows!
Perfect for beginners.

Meet in the Activity Room.

Suitable for 16+ year olds (12+ with accompanying adult)
£29 per person.

Book online (booking fee applies) or call 01425 478082.
 

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: [email protected]
Tel: 01425 478082
Full contact details