If you want a feast of colour for your eyes then consider a visit to Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway in Hampshire, it`s the perfect place to head for and is one of the highlights of the New Forest. This glorious 200 acre creation is located in the south eastern corner of the New Forest National Park and sits close to the saltmarshes and creeks of the beautiful Beaulieu River. It was the vision of Lionel Nathan de Rothschild, of the Rothschild banking dynasty, which encouraged him to embark on a journey of establishing the magnificent gardens we see at Exbury today.

It was around 1919 when Lionel Rothschild and his family bought the house which was set in the heart of the stunning Exbury Estate. As a keen gardener, so began a project that would continue down the years and has been continually recognised as one of the finest woodland gardens in the country.

As a man Lionel Rothschild was generous and passionate and was said to have preferred tending to his garden rather than being in the cut throat banking environment. He was described by those who knew him “gardening was his profession and banking was a hobby.”

He is known to have planted many of the estates majestic trees, plants and flowers and within this glorious woodland backdrop visitors can marvel at the world famous Rothschild collection of plants and trees that include Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Maples and Camellias which look stunning in Spring when they blossom. Later in the year you will see Autumn paints its own picture with a canvas adorned with vibrant oranges, reds and splashes of gold.

Exbury Gardens Splendour

The beautiful laid out grounds and gardens that surround the great house are meticulously taken care of by the head gardener and his staff and it is all credit to them why Exbury Gardens and its Steam Railway consistently attract over 100,000 visitors every year. It is a garden to be enjoyed by all ages, both young and old. It welcomes horticulturists, professional and novice gardeners who have an avid interest in all things botanical and of course Exbury will delight the family and nature lovers alike. It really is a place to leave the stresses of day to day life behind once you enter these magical gardens.

Within this 200 acre masterpiece you are also going to encounter a variety of landscapes that take the breath away. Be amazed at the attractive rockeries and garden statues that descend upon the eye and the wonderful water cascades and ponds that make Exbury even more endearing. Take the time to wander the much talked about Water Garden and gaze at the floral beauty of the Heather and Rose Gardens. Stroll at your leisure and enjoy themed walks, have fun on the nature trails, experience a lovely walk by the river and be captivated by the mature ancient trees that have stood in these grounds for centuries.

Exbury Gardens in the New Forest can be stunning in every season yet it doesn`t just attract gardeners. It is a great family day out and kids love it. There are plenty of areas to relax and eat and drink. Mr Eddy`s Restaurant and Tea Rooms can be highly recommended if a light lunch or cream tea takes your fancy. Exbury is even dog friendly as long as they are well behaved and kept on a short lead. As the name Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway suggests, it has its own short gauge steam railway that offers visitors an enchanting 20 minute journey through the wonderfully named “Summer Lane” Garden.

The train passes through huge swathes of eye catching perennials, flowering grasses, a pool and impressive trees. All this has been thoughtfully planned and planted with a natural free flowing concept in mind. The railway also gives the passengers an opportunity to observe the top of the Rock Garden, which is the largest man-made Rock Garden in Europe.

Kids aren`t forgotten, they are encouraged to see if they can spot some of Exbury`s Woodland creatures that are made from moss, this can include rabbits, squirrels, frogs and deer. Alternative to the moss animals, kids and adults are also likely to see real wildlife on the train journey and known creatures spotted include pheasants, herons, the elusive kingfisher and maybe even deer.

Disabled people are catered for and there is wheelchair access to board the train. It is possible to link up to four carriages for the one and a quarter mile trip.

Seasonal Events At Exbury Gardens

Exbury Gardens has a full programme of year round events and festivities, these can vary from orchestral evenings in the Summer months to outdoor theatre and craft fairs. The end of the year offers a Halloween Theme and it can be extra special on the Exbury Estate at Christmas as a special treat for the kids includes the Santa Steam Train.

Where a better place to exchange vows than the beautiful and peaceful surroundings of Exbury and its romantic setting. Many a couple in the past have decided to experience a magical Exbury Gardens wedding that provides wonderful memories to last a lifetime.

As you can see you won`t be disappointed when you take the time to visit this most exquisite of places. Decades of hard work have gone into realising the dream of Lionel Rothschild, his Exbury Estate is the visionary wonder he saw all those years ago and what thousands of visitors have the privilege of seeing today.

There is something for everyone to enjoy at Exbury Gardens.

Useful Info

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Exbury Gardens & Steam Train

Exbury

Nr. Beaulieu

Hampshire

SO45 1AZ

Tel (02380) 891203

www.exbury.co.uk

 

Where is Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway