Upton Country Park is owned by the Borough of Poole and consists of over 70 acres of parkland, woodland and shoreline, together with formal gardens surrounding Upton House and a Countryside Heritage Centre, on the northern shore of Poole Harbour.  The woodland consists of mainly Oak, Beech and Ash. The shoreline and saltmarsh at the boundary of the Park is rich in wildlife, with a birdwatching hide overlooking Holes Bay. There are several ponds in Upton Country Park where the following dragonflies and damselflies are among those which may be seen:  Emerald Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Hawker, Emperor Dragonfly, Broad-bodied Chaser, Four-spotted Chaser, Keeled Skimmer and Common Darter. Parts of Upton House, which was given to Poole in 1957 by the Llewellin family, are open to the public on most Sunday afternoons, and a Garden Centre attached to the formal gardens is usually open at the weekend in summer.

SECTION 1: GRASSY, SHELTERED PATH  (Length 320m).

The walk starts under the large Oak tree by the signpost "Dogs Must be on a Lead".  Walk along the grassy path, keeping to the fence line.  To your right is a field where sheep graze, and look at the trees in this field, as Kestrels and Sparrowhawks often use them as perches to watch for small mammals.  Halfway along this path is a ditch on your left, overgrown with Bramble and Oak, Birch and Pine trees grow all along the side of the path, together with Creeping Thistle.  Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and Small Skippers are prolific along this path and look out too for Common Blues, Large Whites and Small Coppers.  If you are walking in July, look on the Ragwort for the yellow and black Cinnabar moth caterpillars feeding.  Continue along the path as it curves to the right until you meet up with a gravel path.  This ends Section 1.

SECTION 2: SMALL POND AND GRASSY TRACK  (Length 256m).

Turn right onto the gravel path then left onto a rough grassy path towards the pond.  Inside the fence you may see Large and Small Skippers.  Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers are plentiful in July, and the pond also has some interesting dragonflies and damselflies.Walk round to the right, heading for the Bramble bushes.  Turn right to meet up with the gravel path.  Follow the gravel path to the left, looking for Common Blues, Skippers, Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers in the open grassy area on your left.  Oak trees dominate the edge of the path to your right.  The path then becomes almost enclosed by the trees overhanging it.  In this area the fragrant aroma of Honeysuckles on your right can be enjoyed.When you re-emerge into the open, Kidney Vetch, Teasel and Ox-eye Daisy  can be seen growing at the sides of the path.  Turn right with the path and you arrive at a wooden footbridge which marks the end of Section 2.

SECTION 3: LARGE POND  (Length 233m).

Cross the footbridge and walk 10 metres, as the path curves left.  Gatekeepers can be seen basking on the thistles and Bramble to the left of the path.  When you reach the iron pedestrian access gate, a diversion is worthwhile straight ahead to a wooden seat with a good view over Holes Bay (and the possibility of observing some interesting waders at the right time of the year from the nearby hide).  Return to the iron gate and walk through it.  Follow the gravel path passing Bramble, Oak and Gorse on your left and a field on your right.  Keep to the left of the pond, where many ducks, mainly Mallards, can be found.  Great Willowherb grows on the edge.  Soon after passing the pond two grassy paths go off to the right.  Section 3 ends here.

SECTION 4: OAKS AND GRASSLAND  (Length 208m).

Take the right hand path past a large Oak tree.  Purple Hairstreaks are sometimes seen around the Oaks in this section so it is worth looking above you.  Turn left onto the gravel path going through two more large Oaks, then turn left onto a narrow path passing a small pond.  Look out here for Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers as well as Large Whites and Brimstones.  Continue over a bridge and up the hill, through a wooded section.  The benches at the top of the hill provide a good opportunity to sit down and having a rest while viewing Holes Bay.  Turn left at the T-junction and soon a gravel path is reached.  Look out for Red Admirals migrating from the continent and basking in sheltered spots around here on sunny days in July and August.  The gravel path marks the end of Section 4.

SECTION 5: DARK WOODLAND AREA  (Length 130m).

This is a short wooded section, too dark for most species of butterfly except in the Bramble and fern clearings where Speckled Woods and Red Admirals may be seen.  Turn right up the gravel path, and walk through the gap in the wood along the path.  Follow this dark path until a wooden gate is reached, which ends Section 5.

SECTION 6: EDGE OF FIELD AND HOLES BAY  (Length 731m).

This long section passes through the gate and follows the path along the bay.  Initially the path is still surrounded by woodland, known as "Boat House Wood" after the remains of an old boat house which can be seen on the shore.  On your right are private fields with no right of way.The path eventually descends to a timber boardwalk at the end of the wooded area with splendid views across Holes Bay and Poole.  The plants found on the saltmarsh include Sea Lavender and Sea Aster, both of which have purple flowers, and pink flowered Sea Spurrey, together with Sea Purslane, Scurvy Grass and Spartina.  The reedbed consists mainly of Common Reed, the plant used for thatching, and provides a home for Reed Warblers, Reed Buntings and Water Rails.Holes Bay provides a good opportunity for watching waders, although the summer, when butterflies are around is usually not the best time for this.  You may, however, like to come back here in the winter to look for Redshanks, Dunlins, Curlews and a variety of ducks.  In spring and autumn, look for Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and Common Sandpipers.  There is an open observation point at the end of the boardwalk for birdwatchers.The butterflies to be seen in this section include Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral and Large and Small White.  The path continues along the shore until a right hand turn with a stream ahead is reached which is the end of Section 6.

SECTION 7: ROMAN ROAD  (Length 390m).

Having turned right, follow the path parallel to the main Weymouth to London railway line high on the bank which is behind the straightened stream.  The butterflies to be seen in this section are similar to those seen in Section 6.  When a gate is reached, look for a tunnel under the railway line to your left and a hedgeline between the fields to your right.  This hedge follows the line of a Roman Road from Hamworthy to Badbury Rings, but is not a public right of way at this point.  Pass through the gate, under the pylons, and when a second gate is reached, Section 7 ends.

SECTION 8: THE BACK DRIVE  (Length 367m).

Turn right at the end of Section 7 and follow the path, which is the Holes Bay Cycleway signposted "Broadstone" and “Upton House”.  Beware of fast moving bicycles along this path!  After approximately 300 metres you pass a large pond on your left.  A path diverts down to the pond and it is well worth a visit for dragonflies and damselflies, and ducks and Moorhens with their young may be seen here in summer.  If you are very lucky, you may see a Kingfisher.  Look out for Commas, Small Tortoiseshells, Red Admirals and Orange Tips.A short way further along a path goes off to the left.  Turn down this path, past Gorse and Bramble, but do not cross the bridge; instead carry on to the gate which ends Section 8.

SECTION 9: THE GROVE  (Length 182m).

Go through the gate, then turn right up through the Holly trees.  The track is very overgrown with Bramble and broken bricks cover the path in parts so be careful when you walk along here.  Continue up the hill and you will pass a large Yew tree on your left.  When another gate is reached, this is the end of Section 9.  Alternatively, follow the main track until it reaches the path to the right and the gate, where it rejoins the main track back to Upton House and the Car Park.  This shaded area makes the section uninviting for most butterflies except Speckled Woods. 

SECTION 10: SANDY WOODLAND TRAIL  (Length 200m).

Turn left and walk along the sandy path through "The Grove", a relatively new woodland originally planted about 170 years ago before which it was open farm land, looking out for Speckled Woods, Large Whites and Commas.  When the gate is reached, you have finished Section 10 and the walk.