I had the great pleasure of visiting Rock and Rose rituals in Upton county park, and oh wow what an amazing place. I brought one of Lisa candles and I can honestly say it’s gorgeous. Not only does it smell wonderful filling the whole long after I put it out, but it burns clean. No soot no black smoke, no wax residue around the edges just a clean burn. This place is definitely worth a visit if you love crystals, candles, jewellery and more. Plus all the courses she runs. Definitely worth checking out her website and a visit to Upton county park.

The walks and views are great at Upton Country Park but don't leave without visiting The Gallery Upstairs, just above the Tea Rooms, which are also very good. The Gallery Upstairs is a community gallery, run by local art group, Poole and East Dorset Art Society (pedas). There is a different exhibition every couple of weeks. You might see paintings by an individual artist or a group of artist an art club or a society and there are often sculptures on show, photography, poetry, in other words an eclectic and surprising range of art on display. Entrance is free and fantastic, original art can be acquired.

Lovely place to visit with the dog. Unfortunately sections were closed off for upgrade. Lots of well signposted walks. Well maintained paths. Soggy wet weather when we visited but I’m sure it would be great in drier conditions.

Wonderful place for a dog walk, lovely meadows, woods and paths and our dog loved paddling in the streams. Plenty of places to enjoy a picnic. There is a Tea House but limited outside seating. There is a charge to park.

Great day out, it's not well enough advertised for what's there! Lovely area with amazing walks, things to spot. Lots for our 2yo to do including lovely park, water fountain thing with walled garden, board wall, bird spotting, little stream (wish we'd brought wellies for our little one to paddle in it). Would definitely recommend. Parking is cheap if you think that it's entry for the whole place really, if that was a NT they'd charge you a tenner each.

Upton Country Park has lots of walking and activities for kids and families. However, the let down was the café and toilets which we would rate as 2 stars at best! Food is restricted to prepacked sandwiches that are refrigerated (who likes cold sandwiches?). Cakes are of the commercially produced prepacked variety. The only hot food was sausage rolls and pasties with no side salad etc. Bearing in mind this simple fayre, service at the till was incredibly slow due to the painfully ponderous serving of drinks. The echoing acoustics of the room, combined with the thump, thump of 'not so background' music did not help. Time for a rethink here! The sinks in the toilets were out of order although people appeared to be trying to fix them.