Exbury Gardens

in the New Forest National Park.

The Gardens are a spectacular 200 acre (100 hectare) site, world-famous for the Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and rare trees and shrubs. This earthly paradise offers a riot of colour in spring, an oasis of tranquility in summer followed by a splendid show as the leaves change in the autumn. Discover Exbury’s hidden beauty and escape the cares of the world as you explore a myriad of pathways. Let the train take the strain on a 20 minute journey or ride a chauffeur driven buggy to tour the Gardens. The Gardens are now open daily from 10am - 5pm last admission (or dusk if earlier) until Sun 6 November. Mr Eddy’s Restaurant and Tearooms, the Exbury Gift Shop and Plant Centre (all located close to the main entrance) share the same visiting hours as the Gardens. The Steam Railway runs every day the Gardens are open, with trains departing Exbury Central Station from 11am and then at regular intervals until a last train at 4pm. View our new exhibition in the Engine Shed, "A Dream Come True", with video, info panels, railway posters and memorabilia.

The Estate Office Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway Southampton Hampshire

There are over 20 miles of pathways, three woods and parkland to explore, and surprises lying await behind every corner. Even the wet cannot spoil the fun – put on your waterproofs and see a new side to Exbury! In the Gardens children can discover plants that existed before dinosaurs roamed the earth; plants dinosaurs liked to eat; a Chinese Coffin Tree and even the Devil’s Walking Stick!

Family tickets are available at the gate, and there is a nominal children’s entry price to the Gardens as we recognize that most will wish to ride the Gardens Steam Railway.

A range of family events are held throughout the year, including an Easter Parrot Trail and plant explorer tours during the spring half term, and special activities at our summer Tea Festival.

During the Exbury rhododendron and azalea season children continue a long-held Rothschild family tradition of collecting fallen petals on twigs and sticks or pieces of string. These resemble floral “knicker-bocker glories” and can be taken home or left to decorate the entranceway to the Gardens. The end of the main rhododendron season is marked by “Petal Fall Weekend” when children are welcomed into the Gardens free of charge and encouraged to collect fallen petals for a large collage prepared by a local NAFAS team.

Summer is a favourite time for families to picnic in the Gardens, There are two designated picnic areas, one close to Jubilee Pond with its lazy koi carp, golden orfe and hovering dragonflies, and a second close to the Five Arrows Gallery. The fish at Jubilee and Top Ponds are an endless source of fascination for children – and also for the herons that regularly visit! Children should keep their eyes peeled for all manner of wildlife – in addition to fish and herons they might expect to see pheasant, squirrels, dragonflies and butterflies in the summer, a range of birdlife including tree crawlers and kingfishers, and possibly New Forest deer. Families can discover more in the Gardens at this time of year by following our Family Trail, with the reward of some free seeds to collect at its end.

For many families the Exbury Steam Railway is a highlight of a visit to the Gardens. The 20 min journey around the north-east corner of the Gardens commences at Exbury Central Station (modeled on Aviemore in Scotland) when the guard invites a young passenger to wave the green flag to the driver. Children are encouraged to look out for the railway’s woodland creatures made out of moss, including rabbits, a squirrel, frog, owl, deer, New Forest pony and even a Lake Moss Monster named Hump-hrey! After your railway journey, why not pause for a while at the turntable, a great opportunity to get close to Exbury’s steam engines, Rosemary, Naomi, Mariloo and Eddy the Diesel. New for 2010 will be a walk-through Engine Shed Exhibition - this is scheduled to open in late spring. The Railway has a very established and popular programme of special events, including our standout “Ghost Trains” and “Santa Steam Specials.”

The Gardens were listed amongst the top Gardens in England to visit with children, by readers of BBC Gardeners World Magazine, in April 2010.