Easter Bunny Making
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.
Events at Avon Heath Country Park
The Halloween Shadow Hunt
Wednesday 1 October to Monday 3 November
Betty the Witch and Bernie the Wizard have messed up their spell. They are counting on your help to fix the problem. Find the shadows along the path and complete your magical mission to work out the last part of the spell.
£4 per trail sheet. Goodie bag included.
Buy your trail sheet from the Visitor Centre any time between 10am and 4pm.
Archery lessons
Sunday 5 and 19 October
From 10am to 3pm
£5 per 30 minute session (with others)
Suitable for 6+ year olds
Join expert trainer Craig from Surviving Wild Bushcraft for exciting archery lessons, learning the correct techniques to hit the bullseye or to get in some fun practice if you have used a bow and arrow before.
No need to book, just turn up. Dependent on fine weather, please call on the day to check event is going ahead.
Fungi Foray
Sunday 12 October
10am start
Join the rangers and Dorset Fungus Group experts for a fascinating fungi foray.
Walk around North Park to identify the fungi that is found here.
Experts will point out the seasonal fungi and confirm identification, often with a great story attached. Please note this is not a harvesting foray.
£3 per person (under 10s free)
Meet at the Visitor Centre. Booking essential. Phone 01425 478082 to book your place.
10am start
Join the rangers and Dorset Fungus Group experts for a fascinating fungi foray.
Walk around North Park to identify the fungi that is found here.
Experts will point out the seasonal fungi and confirm identification, often with a great story attached. Please note this is not a harvesting foray.
£3 per person (under 10s free)
Meet at the Visitor Centre. Booking essential. Phone 01425 478082 to book your place.
Hippocampus silver jewellery workshop
Tuesday 14 October
10am to 4pm
Discover the wonderful world of silversmithing 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 set of 3 hammered stacker rings.
Meet in the Activity Room.
£50 per person, including all materials. Ages 16 years and over.
Phone 01425 478082 to book your place.
10am to 4pm
Discover the wonderful world of silversmithing 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 set of 3 hammered stacker rings.
Meet in the Activity Room.
£50 per person, including all materials. Ages 16 years and over.
Phone 01425 478082 to book your place.
Wonders of the Night Sky
Saturday 18 October
7pm start and approx. 8:30pm finish.
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 ages 6 and over.
Meet at the Visitor Centre, North Park (parking charge included in price).
£7 per person.
Phone 01425 478082 to book your place.
7pm start and approx. 8:30pm finish.
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 ages 6 and over.
Meet at the Visitor Centre, North Park (parking charge included in price).
£7 per person.
Phone 01425 478082 to book your place.
1, 2, 3.....create your own Bonsai tree
Starting on Sunday 19 October - 3 sessions
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 1: Sunday 19 October, midday to 4:30pm
Introductory talk on Yamadori, the term for Bonsai trees collected from nature, and then out onto the heath to identify and reserve 3 likely specimens.
Session 2: Sunday 22 February, 1pm to 5pm
Return to dig up and pot up your 3 trees before taking them home to nurture and grow on.
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 478082 to book your place.
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 1: Sunday 19 October, midday to 4:30pm
Introductory talk on Yamadori, the term for Bonsai trees collected from nature, and then out onto the heath to identify and reserve 3 likely specimens.
Session 2: Sunday 22 February, 1pm to 5pm
Return to dig up and pot up your 3 trees before taking them home to nurture and grow on.
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 478082 to book your place.
Willow pumpkin workshop
Thursday 23 October
9.45am to 12.45pm
Celebrate autumn and sculpt a rustic pumpkin for your home or garden.
Learn simple weaving techniques to create and shape your pumpkin. Perfect for beginners and fun for those with experience.
Suitable for 16+ years old (12+ with accompanying adult)
£40 including all materials, plus a set of fairy lights
Meet in the Activity Room
Booking essential. Phone 01425 478082 to book your place.
9.45am to 12.45pm
Celebrate autumn and sculpt a rustic pumpkin for your home or garden.
Learn simple weaving techniques to create and shape your pumpkin. Perfect for beginners and fun for those with experience.
Suitable for 16+ years old (12+ with accompanying adult)
£40 including all materials, plus a set of fairy lights
Meet in the Activity Room
Booking essential. Phone 01425 478082 to book your place.
Evening Owl Encounter
Saturday 25 October
6pm to 8pm
Join Falcons Crest for an enchanting evening of owl encounters.
Meet four magnificent owls up close and discover their fascinating behaviours. Take a look at owl pellets and see what's been on the menu (yum yum!) Test your knowledge with quizzes and crosswords. A hoot of a night awaits - don't miss it!
Meet in the Activity Room
£10 per person
Phone 01425 478082 to book your place
6pm to 8pm
Join Falcons Crest for an enchanting evening of owl encounters.
Meet four magnificent owls up close and discover their fascinating behaviours. Take a look at owl pellets and see what's been on the menu (yum yum!) Test your knowledge with quizzes and crosswords. A hoot of a night awaits - don't miss it!
Meet in the Activity Room
£10 per person
Phone 01425 478082 to book your place
Spooky Halloween Crafts
Monday 27 October
10:30am to 11:15am or 1pm to 2:15pm (half hour sessions)
Unleash your imagination with some crafty Halloween fun. Make up a scary Halloween mask and Trick-or-Treat bag or build and decorate your own Halloween lantern. Take your creations home to use on the spookiest night of the year.
Meet in the Activity Room.
£5 for either a mask and bag or a Halloween lantern
Book your place. Booking fee applies.
10:30am to 11:15am or 1pm to 2:15pm (half hour sessions)
Unleash your imagination with some crafty Halloween fun. Make up a scary Halloween mask and Trick-or-Treat bag or build and decorate your own Halloween lantern. Take your creations home to use on the spookiest night of the year.
Meet in the Activity Room.
£5 for either a mask and bag or a Halloween lantern
Book your place. Booking fee applies.
Owl Pellet Detectives
Tuesday 28 October
11am to midday or 1pm to 2pm
Join us for a fascinating activity where nature meets detective work.
Discover what creatures the owls have eaten by examining the undigested remains of their meals. With the help of a magnifying glass, microscope and our ranger, you'll identify the tiny bones hidden inside, and even piece together a full skeleton!
All children should bring an adult. Suitable for 6+ years.
Meet in the Activity Room.
£5 per person.
Book your place. Booking fee applies.
11am to midday or 1pm to 2pm
Join us for a fascinating activity where nature meets detective work.
Discover what creatures the owls have eaten by examining the undigested remains of their meals. With the help of a magnifying glass, microscope and our ranger, you'll identify the tiny bones hidden inside, and even piece together a full skeleton!
All children should bring an adult. Suitable for 6+ years.
Meet in the Activity Room.
£5 per person.
Book your place. Booking fee applies.
Spooky Serpents and Creepy Crawlers
Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 October
Half hour sessions between 9:30am and 3pm.
Come and meet some slithering snakes, terrifying tarantulas and a whole gang of creepy crawlies. Don't miss this chance to get up close to these amazing creatures. Choice of time slots available with limited spaces - so book early.
Quiet SEN session at 9:30am.
Meet into the Visitor Centre.
£5 for child (includes one free adult) or £6 on day (subject to availability)
Phone 01425 478082 to book your place
Half hour sessions between 9:30am and 3pm.
Come and meet some slithering snakes, terrifying tarantulas and a whole gang of creepy crawlies. Don't miss this chance to get up close to these amazing creatures. Choice of time slots available with limited spaces - so book early.
Quiet SEN session at 9:30am.
Meet into the Visitor Centre.
£5 for child (includes one free adult) or £6 on day (subject to availability)
Phone 01425 478082 to book your place
Throwing Angels (axes)
Friday 31 October
Between 10am and 3pm
Enter into the spirit of All Hallows' Eve.
Can you hit the Halloween targets with these throwing angels (axes)? Receive expert guidance from Craig to sharpen your technique during these drop-in sessions. Take aim and see how accurate your throwing skills are.
Meet in the Green.
£5 for 9 axes
No need to book - just turn up.
Between 10am and 3pm
Enter into the spirit of All Hallows' Eve.
Can you hit the Halloween targets with these throwing angels (axes)? Receive expert guidance from Craig to sharpen your technique during these drop-in sessions. Take aim and see how accurate your throwing skills are.
Meet in the Green.
£5 for 9 axes
No need to book - just turn up.
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.