Upton Country Park completes first phase of the Discovery Project.
The £2.3m project started in February 2020
Upton Country Park has successfully completed the first phase of the Discovery Project.
This initiative was made possible by the Parks for People Programme supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund, alongside additional funding from BCP Council and the Friends of Upton Country Park.
The £2.3m project celebrates the heritage of Upton Country Park by restoring, conserving and interpreting the historical features and landscapes.
It has created a more accessible, sustainable and vibrant attraction that will engage new and existing visitors through stimulating opportunities for learning, participation and inclusive interpretation.
The 108-hectare Upton Country Park is owned and managed by BCP Council and includes a 200-year-old Grade II* Georgian-style mansion house, formal gardens, parkland, woodland, tenanted agricultural land and borders an internationally recognised shoreline.
The Discovery Project, which started in February 2020, was an ambitious undertaking to provide a long-term legacy for Upton Country Park across three main themes – heritage, people and landscapes.
Cllr Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations, said: “Upton Country Park is an amazing attraction much loved by residents and visitors to the area and we are thrilled with the results of the Discovery Project.
“I love that it is open until dusk every day all year round, the fantastic events, the amazing grounds and biodiversity and of course all the exciting outdoor child-friendly activities.
“These remarkable improvements to Upton Country Park have not only made it more accessible but have also helped us celebrate and share its rich history and natural beauty with a wider audience.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate the completion of the Discovery project at Upton Country Park in Dorset. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, a £1.58million Parks for People grant has enhanced natural and heritage assets and will enable a wider range of people to access its stunning grounds. This ambitious makeover ensures Upton Country Park will be enjoyed by visitors and its local community for many years to come.”
Upton Country Park’s historic views have been reinstated, reconnecting the house with its unique shoreline setting, while boosting biodiversity through wildflower meadows and nectar-rich borders. Improved drainage has also revitalised key horticultural areas, benefiting surrounding trees and shrubs.
Visitors of all ages can now explore new and restored pathways, enhanced shoreline trails, and "The Lookout" bird hide overlooking Holes Bay Nature Park, an internationally recognised Ramsar and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).