Upton Country Park
Upton Country Park
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
160 acres of park and woodland, 2.6km of shoreline, 32 acres of formal garden, 6 types of natural habitat, new Welcome Centre, Tea Rooms, art gallery, Walled Garden, Bird Hide, stepping stones, play trail, dog training area and 2,000 years of history… Upton Country Park has it all! Marvel at the grandeur of our Grade II* listed Georgian Mansion House and enjoy the rich diversity of wildlife along the shoreline. Allow the children to blow off steam at Spurrier’s Play Park or with a ball game on the front lawn. Join in with regular activities and events – or simply find a quiet spot to admire the amazing horticulture and beautiful botanical Walled Garden.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Upton Country Park and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
318 within 3 miles
Attractions
109 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- Pioneer28062332385Poole, United Kingdom2 contributionsRock and Rose Rituals Upton county parkI had the great pleasure of visiting Rock and Rose rituals in Upton county park, and oh wow what an amazing place. I brought one of Lisa candles and I can honestly say it’s gorgeous. Not only does it smell wonderful filling the whole long after I put it out, but it burns clean. No soot no black smoke, no wax residue around the edges just a clean burn. This place is definitely worth a visit if you love crystals, candles, jewellery and more. Plus all the courses she runs. Definitely worth checking out her website and a visit to Upton county park.Visited September 2023Travelled soloWritten 5 October 2023
- Jet20887578573Bournemouth, United Kingdom3 contributionsAlways new art to be seen at The Gallery UpstairsThe walks and views are great at Upton Country Park but don't leave without visiting The Gallery Upstairs, just above the Tea Rooms, which are also very good. The Gallery Upstairs is a community gallery, run by local art group, Poole and East Dorset Art Society (pedas). There is a different exhibition every couple of weeks. You might see paintings by an individual artist or a group of artist an art club or a society and there are often sculptures on show, photography, poetry, in other words an eclectic and surprising range of art on display. Entrance is free and fantastic, original art can be acquired.Visited November 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 16 November 2023
- missel77Bridgwater, United Kingdom126 contributionsGreat for a dog walkLovely place to visit with the dog. Unfortunately sections were closed off for upgrade. Lots of well signposted walks. Well maintained paths. Soggy wet weather when we visited but I’m sure it would be great in drier conditions.Visited April 2024Travelled soloWritten 10 April 2024
- S MWorthing, United Kingdom33 contributionsBeautiful place to visit for a few hours.Wonderful place for a dog walk, lovely meadows, woods and paths and our dog loved paddling in the streams. Plenty of places to enjoy a picnic. There is a Tea House but limited outside seating. There is a charge to park.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 July 2024
- Leia W10 contributionsGreat day outGreat day out, it's not well enough advertised for what's there! Lovely area with amazing walks, things to spot. Lots for our 2yo to do including lovely park, water fountain thing with walled garden, board wall, bird spotting, little stream (wish we'd brought wellies for our little one to paddle in it). Would definitely recommend. Parking is cheap if you think that it's entry for the whole place really, if that was a NT they'd charge you a tenner each.Visited September 2024Travelled with familyWritten 12 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
743 reviews
Excellent
406
Very good
227
Average
53
Poor
26
Terrible
31
Gnomelette
Poole, UK57 contributions
Nov 2020 • Family
Took my daughter to the new outdoor play park which was great. Decided a hot coffee on a cold day would be a good idea for the grown-ups so tried the cafe take-away service in the hope that staff attitudes had become a little sunnier these days. Sadly, this was not the case. After being ignored by her initially, the tall, blonde woman could only manage rude and grumpy service. Cafe staff here have always had the reputation of surly but I see it’s reached a whole new level of distain during Covid. I’m not really sure why the staff have chosen to work in hospitality when they are so apparently irritated by customers. The coffee is not great either. I’m afraid I’ll be bringing my flask next time and suggest other visitors do the same.
Written 14 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
terriers2017
Poole, UK10 contributions
Oct 2020
We visited the park yesterday with 2 very excited grandchildren clutching their Halloween Trail packs which we had downloaded from the website.
The packs looked great with lots of interactive stuff for kids but sadly the reality proved different.
To our disappointment & amazement there was Absolutely no signage for the trail & even the chap we asked seemed unaware of it.
So having trecked round for ages looking for various non existent pumpkins on the Spooky Trail containing a clue to make up the ‘hidden’ word we had no choice but to abandon the idea, apologising to 2 bewildered children & just head for the activity play area.
The packs looked great with lots of interactive stuff for kids but sadly the reality proved different.
To our disappointment & amazement there was Absolutely no signage for the trail & even the chap we asked seemed unaware of it.
So having trecked round for ages looking for various non existent pumpkins on the Spooky Trail containing a clue to make up the ‘hidden’ word we had no choice but to abandon the idea, apologising to 2 bewildered children & just head for the activity play area.
Written 29 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mungomouse
63 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
When paid parking was first introduced it was explained that this would be affordable for local people. This year parking charges have gone up yet again to an unprecedented £2.50 per hour. This is not affordable and one is left clock watching instead of enjoying the park. Our solution is not to park on site at all but to park in local streets and walk in. This means we can relax and not be looking at our watches all the time.
The car park seems particularly empty this year….
The car park seems particularly empty this year….
Written 23 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet Edwards
Poole, UK2,168 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
The Upton Country Park lovely place to visit, lots of nice walks , for families and dogs.
Went in the Cafe there , very disappointed, both my friend and I wanted the sausage rolls and pies they had there, warmed up.
But was told not allowed to do it, as it’s a health and safety matter , never in my life come across in a cafe or restaurant, they will not warm the food they have .
All cafe’s and even supermarkets cafe do it . It was a bit over priced . Not offered a plate each or knives and forks , friend had to ask .
The latte I had to go across and collect it myself , but it was a lovely cup of coffee.
Very disappointed and there was 3 people standing around doing nothing , 1 person serving .
Went in the Cafe there , very disappointed, both my friend and I wanted the sausage rolls and pies they had there, warmed up.
But was told not allowed to do it, as it’s a health and safety matter , never in my life come across in a cafe or restaurant, they will not warm the food they have .
All cafe’s and even supermarkets cafe do it . It was a bit over priced . Not offered a plate each or knives and forks , friend had to ask .
The latte I had to go across and collect it myself , but it was a lovely cup of coffee.
Very disappointed and there was 3 people standing around doing nothing , 1 person serving .
Written 14 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Millie
World49 contributions
Aug 2023
Upton Country Park is a beautiful green space for all ages. There is walks to woods, lakes, shorelines and around the formal gardens. The house is beautiful and entry is available at certain times during the week. There is multiple activities for children including parks, climbing, walking and a splash fountain. The coffee shop is clean and staff are friendly. There is also plenty of green space to take ballgames too.
The park itself is free but parking is not. However, the fee for parking is minimal and you don't have to pay anything extra if you don't want too.
The park itself is free but parking is not. However, the fee for parking is minimal and you don't have to pay anything extra if you don't want too.
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bodie G
Tiverton, UK43 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
All was good until dog owners arrived and let their dogs roam at well.
I did not feel my grandchildren were safe with dogs off the lead and not under control
Today, a man with three dogs he allowed to run at will alongside cattle and then over low-lying long grassland let his dogs run on ahead, one was very quick and nipped my trousers near my testicles leaving a small Nick and its saliva. I told the owner he was required to keep his dogs under control at all times. He was disgruntled and abusive and even 50 yards away could be heard shouting at me saying various insulting statements. I had re-iterated that the Law required him to keep his dogs under control but again he used abusive and dismissive statements.
10 minutes earlier another dog owner had let their dog seek attention at my legs and genitals, her dog was not on a lead and obviously she didn’t keep it under control. I asked her to keep her dog away and she too just laughed and shrugged it off. Apparently, dog owners in Upton Park and Country House think they are above the Law and are willing to take the risk their dogs will not bite other people as so May other dogs do.
These were not isolated instances, there wer other dog owners who let their dogs runs where they wanted and laughed off any attempt at telling them they should not allow dogs to run free when close to animals or other people
Who will be liable when dogs attack and kill or maim a child or adult? Upton Park ?
Why is there no security ensuring people with dogs have them under control.
There was dog muck in places too - very unwholesome for adults and children
I did not feel my grandchildren were safe with dogs off the lead and not under control
Today, a man with three dogs he allowed to run at will alongside cattle and then over low-lying long grassland let his dogs run on ahead, one was very quick and nipped my trousers near my testicles leaving a small Nick and its saliva. I told the owner he was required to keep his dogs under control at all times. He was disgruntled and abusive and even 50 yards away could be heard shouting at me saying various insulting statements. I had re-iterated that the Law required him to keep his dogs under control but again he used abusive and dismissive statements.
10 minutes earlier another dog owner had let their dog seek attention at my legs and genitals, her dog was not on a lead and obviously she didn’t keep it under control. I asked her to keep her dog away and she too just laughed and shrugged it off. Apparently, dog owners in Upton Park and Country House think they are above the Law and are willing to take the risk their dogs will not bite other people as so May other dogs do.
These were not isolated instances, there wer other dog owners who let their dogs runs where they wanted and laughed off any attempt at telling them they should not allow dogs to run free when close to animals or other people
Who will be liable when dogs attack and kill or maim a child or adult? Upton Park ?
Why is there no security ensuring people with dogs have them under control.
There was dog muck in places too - very unwholesome for adults and children
Written 15 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear BodieG,
I am sorry to read about your experience with dog walkers at Upton Country Park. There are areas of the Park where dogs are allowed to be off lead, however it is expected that owners are responsible and keep them under control, as the vast majority of our dog owning visitors do.
While our team do actively monitor the Park it is not possible for us to employ security to monitor dog walkers across the 160 acre site. Like most other parks, open play areas and indeed the streets that we all live we have an expectation that people will behave responsibly to each other and keep their dogs under control. Where a report is made to us of an incident we will respond and seek out the owner and speak to them regarding their dogs. I hope that you reported this incident and allowed us to take positive action to prevent other people being similarly accosted.
Thanks, Steve
Written 20 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jet20887578573
Bournemouth, UK3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
The walks and views are great at Upton Country Park but don't leave without visiting The Gallery Upstairs, just above the Tea Rooms, which are also very good. The Gallery Upstairs is a community gallery, run by local art group, Poole and East Dorset Art Society (pedas). There is a different exhibition every couple of weeks. You might see paintings by an individual artist or a group of artist an art club or a society and there are often sculptures on show, photography, poetry, in other words an eclectic and surprising range of art on display. Entrance is free and fantastic, original art can be acquired.
Written 16 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marie H
8 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Create at Upton country park - decopatch and pottery for my daughter's 7th birthday. We had a fabulous morning with Di who made us very welcome. I would highly recommend with picnic in the park afterwards! It's a great day out for children with an arty activity in the morning and then beautiful park and grounds for exploring!
Written 24 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fourbaggs
5 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Drove a 25 mile round trip, paid the ridiculous parking fee (£2 an hour!) to play crazy golf. We walked to the crazy golf and it was shut! We had checked before leaving as well. We left disappointed. We decided as we had paid for parking e would go back walk the loop have an ice cream rather than waste the time and money. We walked the loop (nothing special really, although bird hide is lovely) then got to ice cream kiosk to find it shut! We used the toilets by cafe - smelly and unclean. Then we popped into cafe - awful ice cream choice and disappointing cake choice. We left a second time. I used to take my kids here when they were little - parking was free but we bought food and drink and spent the day. £2 an hour is high and doesn't seem to have made it better! I was very disappointed. Would it not be easy to put a board in car park saying golf shut? Ruined our afternoon! Should have stuck with poole park.
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jay
19 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
Lovely walk in all the new areas.
Lovely new path ways and finished with a trip to the coffee shop.
During lockdown we made a weekly visit to Upton country park and could see lots of the new paths forming.
Haven’t been for a good 6 months and I think it’s really well worth the parking money and is a total bargain for what’s on offer.
Lovely new path ways and finished with a trip to the coffee shop.
During lockdown we made a weekly visit to Upton country park and could see lots of the new paths forming.
Haven’t been for a good 6 months and I think it’s really well worth the parking money and is a total bargain for what’s on offer.
Written 28 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Upton Country Park
Poole, United Kingdom
Hi Lisa, overnight parking is not normally allowed unless there is a festival event. Our car park is not monitored and we are unable to accept liability for loss or damage. Thanks, Steve
Written 20 July 2023
Upton country park is open 7 days a week.
Written 26 September 2019
Can youd barbecue at Upton County Park? If yes, what is the allowed time?
Written 6 July 2019
No you are not able to BBQ at Upton Country Park
Written 1 August 2019
Can you take dogs into the tea room?
Written 11 October 2018
Hi Jenny, unfortunately dogs are not permitted inside the Tea Rooms, however there is plenty of seating outside for dog owners to use.
We hope you enjoy your visit.
Written 11 October 2018
Can you take dogs into the tea room?
Written 11 October 2018
No, but it has very sheltered outside seating in it's own courtyard, all year round.
Written 7 November 2018
Hi Laura,
Thanks for getting in touch!
With weddings in Upton House we have internal caterers that provide the food and drink offering. With regards to a DJ, we do have a list of suppliers that have played at Upton House several times previously and can recommend but ultimately the choice is yours, providing the DJ has Public Liability Insurance.
There is the option to hire our Walled Garden within the Country Park for your wedding reception. This would require hiring marquees and external caterers to provide the food and drink which can be your choice providing they the correct certification. DJ's again are your choice for this option.
I hope this helps. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Cheers,
Written 11 June 2018
My daughter has bought me a Groupon. Voucher for Dorset Segways for Mother’s Day this Sunday.
How do I book the actual time please?
Written 5 March 2018
Recently enjoyed a Segway session. Absolutely brilliant experience and hopefully will enjoy another in the future
Written 22 July 2019
Showing results 1-9 of 9
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing