Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, a 200-acre stunning woodland garden in Hampshire. 

Address: Exbury, Hampshire, SO45 1AZ.

Exbury Gardens is a 200-acre informal woodland garden in Hampshire, well-known by the world-famous collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias. This is the creation of Lionel Nathan de Rothschild, the eldest son of Leopold de Rothschild and a part of the reputed banking family in England. Interesting fact is that Lionel, who was born into the wealthy banking family, described himself as ‘a banker by hobby – a gardener by profession’. He bought the Exbury Estate in the New Forest in 1919, inspired by the idea to create one of the finest woodland gardens in the country, with more than one million plants! And the Exbury Estate had an ideal micro-climate to grow his favourite plant, the rhododendron! In general, Lionel developed over 1,000 new hybrids of rhododendron and azalea that are recognised around the world.

Exbury Gardens are divided into different areas. Azalea Bowl, our favourite part and one of the most popular features of the Gardens. Stay for a moment and enjoy how red, orange, pink, and purple flowers are reflected in Middle Pond. Ideal place to take pictures! Then walk through Iris Garden, Hydrangea Walk, Sundial Garden, American Garden, Jubilee pond – so many places to see and explore! Interesting fact: one tree in the Gardens was planted by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II on the 19th May 1973.

We recommend visiting Exbury Gardens is May and June, when colourful azaleas and rhododendrons are in full bloom. Enjoy dramatic colours, ranging from vibrant reds, oranges and pinks to cool violets, deep purples, and purest whites.

Walking through the Gardens, you won’t miss a Grade II listed building, the Exbury House, built in the 18th century, then redesigned and refaced with Bath stone in 1927 by Lionel de Rothschild.