Historic country park celebrates golden milestone

A historic 160-acre country park is celebrating 50 years since it opened to the public for the first time.

Open "until dusk every day, all year round" for free, Upton Country Park in Poole, Dorset, said it welcomes about one million visitors every year.

The estate, owned and operated by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, is marking its golden anniversary with events celebrating its history across the weekend.

Rich Herrett, the council's lead for destination and leisure, said it was one of the best places "to celebrate nature and our area's rich heritage".

Grade II* listed Upton House and estate was gifted to the Poole Corporation (now BCP council) in 1957 by William Llewellin.

Over the next two decades, the house and estate were put to various uses, including being rented out to a Romanian Prince before being transformed into a country park.

Featuring formal gardens, parkland, woodland and shoreline paths along Holes Bay, the park officially opened to the public on 15 May 1976.

Llewellin's daughter Margaret Mary was Poole's first female mayor in 1951 and the first president of The Friends of Upton House until her death in 1983.

The charity was set up in the same year the park opened and still supports it today.

To mark the anniversary, an Upton Through The Ages event over the weekend will include regency themed dancers, period costumes from Arts University Bournemouth Historic Costume Society, garden games and displays about the estate's heritage.

Roger Brewer, Upton Country Park team leader, said: "We're excited to celebrate this significant milestone with the local community.

"The park has become a highly popular destination for locals and holidaymakers and welcomes around one million visitors per year.

"We want to share our 50-year celebrations with everyone who values and appreciates the country park."