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Upton Heath Walks

2.49 miles (4 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This local nature reserve is located in the Corfe Mullen/Broadstone/Creekmoor area of Poole in Dorset.
There's a network of footpaths including a bridleway along the trackbed of the old Southampton to Dorchester Railway in the southern part of the reserve. The site includes woodland, heathland, sandy paths, gorse and tranquil lakes with lots of wildlife to see as well. Look out for Dartford Warbler, Nightjar and Stonechat as you make your way across the heath. There are also fine views towards Poole Harbour and Corfe Castle from the high points.
You can start the walk from the parking area off Springdale Road at the northern end of the reserve. Then follow footpaths south to the viewpoint, Beacon Hills Clay Pits, lakes and the dismantled railway at the southern end.

Postcode

BH21 3RX - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Please click here for more information

Upton Heath OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Upton Heath Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The heath is located just north of Upton Country Park where there are more nice trails to try.
The popular Castleman Trailway also passes the eastern part of the heath. You could follow it north on the Corfe Mullen Walk to visit the pretty Delph Woods Nature Reserve. The peaceful woods include a pretty stream and lots more wildlife. The expansive Canford Heath can also be accessed just to the east of here.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Dorset Walks page.

Photos

Upton Heath, railway trackbed - geograph.org.uk - 1516152

Upton Heath, railway trackbed. Trackbed of the previous Southampton to Dorchester Railway, in this section now a permissive bridleway through the Nature Reserve.

Upton Heath - geograph.org.uk - 1516125

Owned principally by Dorset Willife Trust; wet and dry heathland, woodland and old clay- and sandpits. In the distance, Beacon Hill landfill site, now being reclaimed.

Lake in Upton Heath - geograph.org.uk - 1233697

Lake in Upton Heath. Perhaps the trees are recent, workings were dug to get the fine sand and clay, which filled up to produce this lake, very popular with walkers and their dogs from nearby Upton.

Railway arch, Upton Heath - geograph.org.uk - 1233618

Railway arch. The ancient Roman Road passes underneath the dismantled Somerset and Dorset railway. The Roman Road connected Hamworthy, on Poole Harbour, with the Roman fortress at Lake on the river Stour near Wimborne.

Sandy beach, Upton Heath - geograph.org.uk - 1233746

Sandy beach.

Footbridge , Upton Heath - geograph.org.uk - 1233853

A handy footbridge among the trees, on the edge of the heath, where it meets the houses of Creekmoor.

Upton Heath - geograph.org.uk - 453028

This footpath and Cycle Track is a former railway line. It connected Broadstone with Hamworthy, and closed in May 1964.

Upton Heath, old claypit - geograph.org.uk - 1516172

Old claypit. One of a number of old clay pits to the South of Upton Heath, used for brick and tilemaking; some are now dry, and some are water-filled.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Upton Heath.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Upton Heath.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)