Upton in Brief
Upton is a town located on the Isle of Purbeck in the southeast of Dorset, southwest England. The town forms part of the civil parish of Lytchett Minster and Upton, which in turn is part of the South East Dorset conurbation. Upton is also situated about 3 miles northwest of Poole and some 20 miles east of Dorchester. The town is bound by Holton Heath to the west, Upton Heath to the north, and Lytchett Bay to the south. In 2020, the population of the parish of Lytchett Minster and Upton was estimated at 8,780.
A Fleeting History
Early Times
Upton’s own particular history is one of late settlement. The town shares a common early history with the neighbouring village of Lytchett Minster, which lies a mile to the west. The first known settlement in the immediate area was in the first century AD at Iron Age hillfort of Bulbury Camp. The fort, about 3 miles to the west of Upton, was occupied by the Durotriges, Celtic tribespeople, whose name translates as ‘water (or marsh) dwellers’. In 43 AD, future Roman Emperor, Vespasian, landed his army at Poole harbour. He went on to found the settlement of Moriconium (now Hamworthy), just south of Upton. As time passed, the warmongering Durotriges gradually integrated into Romano Britannic society.
The Middle Ages
Following the 7th century Saxon invasion of southern Britain, Upton became part of the newly established Kingdom of Wessex. While Poole was established as a small Saxon fishing village, Upton essentially remained undeveloped. The Doomsday Book (1086) records that the hamlet of Upton had a total population of nineteen.
The first known substantial building constructed in the Upton area was Lytchett Minster’s parish church. It’s thought the church was originally built sometime around the mid-13th century. Today, the church’s 15th-century West Tower is all that remains from Medieval times. In 1285, the first known permanent farmstead was recorded as having been established at ‘Upringstede’ or Upper Ringstead (now Upton).
Upton Estate
By the late 16th century it is known that Upton estate was in the ownership of the Earl of Huntingdon. However, in 1592, the Earl sold Upton Farm and Rookhey Island (now Pergins Island) to local businessman Edward Rogers. In 1652, Poole merchants, Haviland Heely and George Phillips purchased the farm and the island from Rogers.
Pergins Island. Image credit: allouphoto/Shutterstock.com
By the end of the 18th century, the Upton estate had passed to the ownership of the successful local businessman William Spurrier. By this time Upton was much more accessible due to the construction of several turnpike roads that had originated from Poole. Between 1784 and 1802, Spurrier went on to become the four times elected Mayor of Poole. He and his ancestors had earned their fortune through Poole’s lucrative fishing trade with Newfoundland.
In 1814, Christopher Spurrier inherited the estate on his father’s death. Fulfilling his father’s dream, he decided to build a country mansion on the Upton estate. Construction began on Upton House in 1816 and was completed two years later, reportedly at great expense. However, by 1825, spendthrift and gambler, Christopher, was forced to put the house and estate up for sale after neglecting his business interests. The estate, including Upton House, was eventually sold to Sir Edward Doughty, the 9th Baronet.
Railway and Royalty
In 1847, Upton’s connectivity was greatly improved when a railway station opened at nearby Hamworthy. Constructed by the Southampton to Dorchester railway, the station was named Poole Junction. However, the line was taken over by London and South West Railway (LSWR) the following year.
In 1865, Upton got its own church when the Methodist Wesleyan Chapel was built in the town. Towards the end of the century, a second church, St Dunstan’s, was built on land donated by Lord Wimborne.
At the turn of the 20th century, Upton was still only a small village. Little more than a collection of a few farms and cottages. However, Upton House had a new owner, William Llewellin, and his family. His daughter, Margaret Mary went on to become the first female Mayor of Poole. In 1957, William gifted the house and some of the estate land to Poole Borough Council. Between 1961 and 1969, the council leased the house to the exiled Prince Carol of Romania. In 1975, the house and grounds were opened to the general public under the name of Upton County Park.
The War Years
During WWI, nearby Poole harbour became very busy. This was mainly due to the fact that it was greatly involved in the import of agricultural produce from Jersey. In WW2, the Dorset Lake Shipyard was established at Hamworthy to build minesweepers for the Royal Navy. Additionally, Poole harbour was also one of the locations from which the Normandy Invasion was launched by the Allied Forces in 1944.
The Modern Era
Up until the end of WW2, Upton was still very much a rural idyll. However, the immediate post-war era saw Upton’s first council houses built. Like many rustic locations across the country, there has been a steady stream of house buildings in the town ever since. Today, Upton is very much a residential settlement, albeit it has one small industrial estate.
Major construction events in the town include the rebuilding of St Dunstan’s Church, in 1991, which replace the old fire-damaged building. And, in 2000, the Upton Clock Tower was erected in the town centre to celebrate the new millennium.
In the middle of August 2021, the inaugural 3-day Upton House Food & Drink Festival was held. It showcased Dorset’s local food produce and musical talent. The success of the event looks like it has secured the festival’s future as a major annual event in the town’s calendar. Another popular annual event in the town is the Upton Horticultural Show. The 1-day event usually takes place in mid-September
Getting to Upton
Upton is located about 100 miles South West of London, between which there are excellent road links. Just take the M3/M27/A31/A3049. If you’re travelling from the west, take the A35, and from the north, the A350.
The nearest railway station to Upton is Hamworthy which is just over a mile away. The station is on the South West Main Line between London Waterloo and Weymouth. There’s a frequent service which sees trains run approximately every 30 minutes in each direction, with a journey time of around 2 hours. From Poole station, just 3 miles away, you can direct trains to/from other destinations across the country.
The nearest airport to Upton is Bournemouth (BOH) Airport, located about 12 miles to the southeast.
Did you know?
- The word “Minster” is an alternative old English name for a monastery. Thus, when included in a town or village name it suggests that a Medieval monastic community once existed at the site.
- The vast majority of England’s 16,500 Anglican churches are dedicated to one or more persons, mostly Saints. However, Lytchett Parish Church is one of the few C of E undedicated churches.
- Dorset’s Isle of Purbeck is actually a peninsula. It’s bound to the South and East by the English Channel, and by the River Frome and Poole Harbour to the North.
Things to see and do around Upton
Upton Country Park
The Georgian Grade II* listed Upton House is set in 140 acres of award-winning gardens, parkland, woodland and shoreline. The house includes tearooms and an art gallery. The park is open 7 days a week, 8 am – 9 pm in summer & 8 am – 6 pm in winter.
A typical rustic view at Upton Country Park. Image credit: Maja Knezevic/Shutterstock.com
Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park
The farm park is a popular award-winning family attraction located just 4 miles west of Upton. Children can get close up and hands-on with a variety of farm animals. If that’s not enough, there’s also bouncy castles and a Wendy House play area. For the adults, there’s a tranquil woodland walk, a restaurant, and better still, a licensed bar.
Brownsea Island
The Island is located in Poole Harbour and has great views across to the Purbeck Hills. It has a thriving natural habitat, which includes woodland, heathland, and a lagoon, home to a mix of wildlife, including the red squirrel. There’s also an outdoor centre which offers a range of activities and overnight accommodation at its eco-adventure campsite.
Holes Bay Nature Park
The park consists of grassland, woodland, salt marsh, and intertidal mudflats that form a prime location for birdwatching. There’s a paved cycle path and walking route running through the park that connects Poole town centre and Upton Country Park. There’s limited parking within the general locality of the park
Holes Bay Nature Reserve is a birdwatcher’s haven. Image credit: JessicaGirvan/Shutterstock.com
Greenslade Pleasure Boats
Greenslade offers boat trips from Poole Quay to Brownsea Island, Wareham, around the harbour and along the coast. Boats depart from Poole Quay from 10.00 am onward and then every 30 minutes throughout the day.
Splashdown
Splashdown is located about 5 miles east of Upton. It’s a themed waterpark with the usual slides and rides. There’s plenty of parking at the Tower Park site. It’s open all year round but the days & times vary depending on the season.
Oceanarium
The aquarium is located around 9 miles in Bournemouth. A great day out for all the family, there are otters, sharks, turtles, stingrays, piranhas, penguins, and more.
Where to Stay?
There is a very limited supply of accommodation in the immediate Upton area. However, Poole, only 3 miles away, offers plenty of choices when it comes to places to stay. The options should suit most tastes and pockets.
Thinking of moving to Upton?
Thinking of moving to Upton in Dorset? The average property price in the Upton area for October 2021 stood at approximately £279,000. This represents a rise of about 1 % on the average price paid in the last 12 months. In terms of property types, flats sold for an average of £164,000, terraced houses for £233,000, semi-detached for £260,000, and detached 360,000.
Thinking of a Staycation?
Are you thinking of holidaying in the UK sometime soon? If so, why not check out some of our other travel guides for some staycation ideas. I think you’ll be surprised at the variety of great things to do in the UK’s fairly green and mostly pleasant land.
Header image credit: JoeLogan/Shutterstock.com
