Fernheath Valley is a small and little-visited nature reserve and public open space in Wallisdown, at the western edge of Bournemouth close to Talbot Village and Kinson. Mapping data inherited from the former Bournemouth Borough Council lists it as a nature reserve, and the council's definitive map of public rights of way shows it as the public open space reached at the end of footpath U22, which comes in from Verney Close.
Location
The reserve lies just off Verney Road, directly beside Fernheath Playing Fields, a community sports ground used for football, cricket and rugby and the base of the Fernheath Community Sports Association. The playing fields are a busy, managed venue with a pavilion and a play area; Fernheath Valley, by contrast, is the quieter band of protected green land along their edge, connected to the wider web of footpaths that cross this part of Wallisdown.
What to expect
Fernheath Valley itself has no visitor centre, café or trail information. It is a small piece of protected open space rather than a laid-out attraction, and beyond its designation and the route in, there is very little verified detail to report. Those nearby will find a children's play area and room for a picnic at Fernheath Playing Fields next door, while the footpath through the reserve is used mostly as a quiet short cut by local residents and dog walkers.
It's one of numerous small green corners dotted around the wider Bournemouth area; for the better-known parks, gardens and beaches, see our guide to things to do in Bournemouth.