The Stour

Moors River

The River Crane becomes the Moors River after its confluence with the Ebblake Stream. It rises in the chalk above Cranborne and travels around eight miles - passing the Bournemouth International Airport - through an area of acidic heathland around Verwood before reverting in character again to the nature of a chalk stream as it joins the Stour near Hurn. The diverse geology and range in water chemistry contributes to the river's rich array of aquatic and wetland plants and exceptional variety of dragonflies and other wild life.

The Moors River System was notified by English Nature as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in July 1999 which aims to protect it from a variety of practices which are likely to be damaging. The river once supported several rare dragonfly and damselfly species, but 'pollution problems have been the likely reason for their demise in recent years. The scarce chaser Libellula fulva is one rarity that survives on the Moors River... The heathland SSSI adjacent to [it] also supports small red Ceriagrion tenellum and scarce blue-tailed Ishnura pumilio damselflies' (Dorset Local Environment Action Plan, Environment Agency, 1997).

Moors Valley Country Park was created in the 1980s. Under the 1968 Countryside Act, local authorities are given powers to create Country Parks near towns and cities for informal recreation. East Dorset County Council bought Kings Farm on the edge of Ringwood Forest in 1984 and a second farm in 1988 amounting to 250 acres.

Two large lakes have been excavated - Moors Lake and Crane Lake and a golf course, miniature railway, childrens play area, tree-top walk, visitor centre and tea room have been constructed. It is a great place to walk or cycle and there is plenty for young children to do.

The park is open every day from 7.00 am to dusk and there is a full calendar of events and educational activities. It is north of the Ashley Heath roundabout on Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, Hants BH24 2ET. For further information ring: +44(0)1425 470721.