The 'tree belt' is a buffer zone between Wickham Drive and the heath and amenity areas off Springdale Road at the northern end of Upton Heath. Following the track south from Springdale Road car park leads to the viewpoint, a high point with views out across Upton Heath (managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust), Poole harbour and the Purbeck Hills. The magnificent views are unfortunately a little tainted by a landfill site immediately below the viewpoint! However this part of the landfill site is currently being restored.

The rest of Upton Heath is well worth a visit as is the new Dorset Wildlife Trust Urban Wildlife Centre.

Owner: East Dorset District Council

Managed by: East Dorset Countryside Management Service

Grid reference: SY 984 532

Nearest town: Corfe Mullen

Size (Ha): 5.5 ha

Nearest bus stop: Springdale Road, Wilts and Dorset bus route

Nearest train station: Poole (five miles)

Habitats: Acid grassland and heath

Look out for: Dartford Warblers

Parking: Springdale Road car park, spaces for about 30 cars, closes at 7pm

Accessibility: Flat,Gravel paths, with wide gates

Facilities: Dog bins at Springdale Road car park and at Corfe Lodge Road junction

How to get there:

From Poole / the south, follow the B3074 (Higher Blandford Road) north towards Rushcombe Bottom. Turn right at the roundabout onto Springdale Road, then right again into the car park.

From Wimborne / the north, follow the A31 west from Wimborne, and turn left at the B3073 roundabout onto Wimborne Road, towards Corfe Mullen. Continue through Corfe Mullen on the Wareham Road and turn left at the roundabout into Springdale Road. The car park is then on your right.

Management plan:

Over the past few years the Springdale Road site has gradually been returned to predominantly heathland, with the extraction of many of the trees from the tree belt. Created in 2003 the fire breaks at the rear of the housing development are regularly mown, which also helps to improve the heathland habitat structure across the site as a whole.

The pine in some areas will be cleared over the next few years and will hopefully create an effective balance between restored heathland and visual screening of the housing.

If you would like to find out more about future management plans for Springdale Road and Upton Viewpoint, please contact Matt Reeks at Moors Valley Country Park on 01425 470721, or e-mail mreeks@eastdorset.gov.uk