Upton Wood is found near to Upton Country Park. You will find a Woodland Trail, trickling streams and open glades with bluebells in the spring. Upton Wood won a Gold Award in the 2020 South and South East in Bloom Competition in the small conservation area category.
You can access the wood from Pony Drive, Upton Heath Estate, Gorse Lane and Poole Road. These entrances are for pedestrians, cyclists, pushchairs, wheelchairs and medium sized mobility scooters.
On the Woodland Trail, stroll through the trees and alongside the streams. Take a seat and listen to the birds or maybe see dragonflies or butterflies in the spring and summer.
If you want to cycle through the wood, the hard surfaced tracks are the best to use and allow you to take a short cut from the housing estates through to Upton County Park. They are also a good place for children to learn to ride a bike away from busy roads.
The former Purbeck council bought Upton Wood in 2004 and it is now owned by Dorset Council. The previous owners were The Llewellin Estate who also owned Upton Country Park.
| Nearest town: | Upton |
|---|---|
| Grid reference: | SY 987 932 |
| Postcodes: | BH16 5SR, BH16 5LW, BH16 5LW, BH16 5HL |
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| Nearest bus stop: | Upton Country Park stop (these bus stops are adjacent to the Wood - a stile allows direct access into the Wood for pedestrians). This stop is on the route of the number 8, 9, 10 and Breezer 40 buses. To gain access for pushchairs, wheelchairs etc, from the bus stops head along the straight road in the direction of the centre of Upton (i.e. away from the road junction) until you reach a traffic island. Cross the road here, turn left and then right into Pony Drive. The entrance is on the right. |
| Nearest train station: | Hamworthy (2 miles) |
| Parking: | There is roadside parking for a small number of cars on Pony Drive or the dog walkers car park just inside the entrance gates to Upton Country Park is found a few minutes walk away (this is a pay and display car park). |
| Accessibility: | There is wheelchair and medium sized mobility scooter access from Poole Road, Pony Drive, Upton Heath Estate or Gorse Lane. The main tracks are suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. There are two benches within the wood. Download the location map and Upton Wood leaflet. |
| Dogs allowed? | Yes, dogs are allowed off the lead, all year. Dog Waste and Litter bins are provided - you can dispose of dog waste in either bin. |
| Size(Ha): | 5.5 |
| Habitats: | Mixed woodland, heath, wet heath, ponds and streams. |
| Site designation: | Sites of Nature Conservation Interest |
| Owner: | Dorset Council |
| Managed by: | Dorset Council. Download the Upton Wood Management Plan. |
| Other things to do in the area: |
Upton Heath, Castleman Trailway, Upton Country Park, Lytchett Bay Nature Reserve, Holes Bay Nature Park |
Get involved
Volunteer events are held in conjunction with the Dorset Countryside Volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering to help look after Upton Wood, contact the Countryside and Tourism Officer for further details.