Exbury Gardens is one of Britain’s finest woodland gardens and one of the New Forest National Park‘s most popular attractions. Covering around 200 acres on the eastern edge of the New Forest, the gardens are internationally renowned for their spectacular collections of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, which create a remarkable display of colour each spring. Throughout the rest of the year, visitors can enjoy peaceful woodland walks, ornamental lakes, rare trees and beautifully landscaped gardens that change with the seasons.
The gardens were created by Lionel de Rothschild, a distinguished banker, horticulturist and member of the famous Rothschild family. During the early 20th century, he transformed the Exbury Estate into one of the world’s leading woodland gardens, importing rare and unusual plants from around the globe. His passion for horticulture, combined with the mild climate of the New Forest, allowed many exotic species to flourish, creating a landscape unlike anywhere else in Britain.
Today, Exbury Gardens remains one of the country’s premier horticultural attractions. Visitors can spend several hours exploring its winding woodland paths, colourful flower displays, peaceful ponds and hidden viewpoints. The narrow-gauge steam railway adds another dimension to the visit, carrying passengers through woodland and alongside some of the estate’s most attractive scenery.
Whether you are a keen gardener, photographer or simply looking for a relaxing day surrounded by beautiful landscapes, Exbury Gardens offers one of the finest garden experiences in southern England.
Official website: https://exbury.co.uk
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Best Things to Do at Exbury Gardens
Explore the Woodland Gardens
The woodland gardens are the heart of Exbury and are famous throughout the world for their spectacular displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias. During spring, thousands of flowering shrubs transform the landscape into a colourful tapestry of pink, purple, red, white and yellow.
Even outside the main flowering season, the gardens remain beautiful thanks to their mature trees, peaceful woodland paths and carefully designed planting. Every visit offers something different as the colours change throughout the year.
Ride the Steam Railway
One of Exbury’s most popular attractions is its charming narrow-gauge steam railway. The twenty-minute journey takes visitors through woodland, across open areas of the estate and alongside beautiful gardens that cannot easily be reached on foot.
The railway is particularly popular with families, but visitors of all ages enjoy the opportunity to experience the gardens from a different perspective while learning more about the history of the estate.
Discover the Rock Garden and Sundial Garden
Among Exbury’s many themed gardens, the Rock Garden and Sundial Garden are two of the most attractive. The Rock Garden combines carefully arranged stonework with alpine plants, shrubs and small streams, creating a peaceful setting that contrasts with the larger woodland landscapes.
Nearby, the Sundial Garden offers colourful seasonal planting arranged around an elegant sundial, providing a pleasant place to pause and enjoy the carefully designed surroundings.
Walk Around the Lakes and Ponds
Water is an important feature throughout Exbury Gardens. Ornamental lakes, ponds and gently flowing streams reflect the surrounding trees and provide habitats for ducks, dragonflies and other wildlife.
Several walking routes follow the water’s edge, crossing picturesque bridges and passing quiet seating areas where visitors can relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. These areas are particularly popular with photographers, especially during spring and autumn when the reflections are at their most colourful.
Admire the Rare Trees
Although Exbury is best known for its spectacular spring flowers, it is also home to an outstanding collection of trees from around the world. Mature oaks, cedars, redwoods, maples and conifers provide structure and interest throughout the year, while many unusual species reflect Lionel de Rothschild’s passion for collecting rare plants.
During autumn, the gardens are transformed by vibrant shades of red, orange and gold, making this one of the best times to visit for those interested in autumn colour.
Enjoy the Café and Garden Centre
After exploring the gardens, visitors can relax in one of Exbury’s cafés, which serve light lunches, homemade cakes and refreshments throughout the day. The on-site garden centre is also well worth a visit, offering a wide range of plants, gardening gifts and seasonal displays inspired by the gardens themselves.
Many of the plants available have been propagated from specimens growing within Exbury, allowing visitors to take home a small reminder of their visit.
Visitor Information
Most visitors spend between three and five hours exploring Exbury Gardens, although keen gardeners may wish to stay longer. The gardens are well signposted and feature mostly level paths, making much of the site accessible to visitors of all ages. Extensive parking, cafés, picnic areas, a gift shop and visitor facilities are available on site.
Exbury Gardens is located around 6 kilometres south-east of Beaulieu and can easily be combined with nearby attractions such as Buckler’s Hard, the Beaulieu estate or Lepe Country Park for a full day exploring the south-eastern corner of the New Forest.
Why Visit Exbury Gardens?
Exbury Gardens is one of the finest gardens in Britain and offers far more than a spectacular spring display. Its combination of world-class horticulture, peaceful woodland, beautiful lakes, rare trees and charming steam railway creates a rewarding day out throughout the year. Whether you are an enthusiastic gardener or simply looking for a relaxing escape into nature, Exbury Gardens is one of the highlights of any visit to the New Forest National Park.