Exbury Gardens Including Steam Train

Approximate Journey Time: 1 Hr

Time at Destination: 5 Hours

Comfort Stop: No

Drop off Point: Coach Park.

Join us for a delightful coach day tour to Exbury Gardens, arriving around 11:00 am to enjoy nearly five hours exploring this captivating 200-acre estate before departing at 4:00 pm. With seasonal blooms and stunning landscapes, Exbury Gardens offers a colorful escape, including famous displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, and rare plants nestled within woodlands and alongside tranquil ponds. A highlight of the visit is a scenic ride on Exbury’s beloved steam railway, which offers a charming journey through the gardens, providing unique views and photo opportunities along the way. This day trip promises a refreshing blend of natural beauty and leisurely exploration, ideal for garden lovers and those seeking a peaceful day out.

Exbury Gardens, located in the New Forest of Hampshire, was created in the 1920s by Lionel de Rothschild, a passionate horticulturist and member of the renowned banking family. Rothschild invested immense time and resources into transforming Exbury’s woodlands into an extraordinary botanical garden, assembling a vast collection of rhododendrons, camellias, and azaleas, many of which were brought back from plant-hunting expeditions to the Himalayas and East Asia. The gardens were initially a private family retreat, a place where Lionel could indulge in his love of rare plants and landscape design. By the 1930s, Exbury had become one of the finest woodland gardens in England, featuring meticulously planned landscapes, rock gardens, and a thriving array of exotic plants that showcased Rothschild's expertise and vision.

After falling into decline during World War II, the gardens were restored by Lionel's descendants and later opened to the public in 1955. Today, Exbury Gardens continues to attract visitors worldwide, offering an ever-changing display of seasonal blooms across 200 acres. It is particularly renowned for its spring displays, where thousands of rhododendrons and azaleas burst into vibrant color, along with other rare specimens planted by the Rothschild family. In recent years, the addition of the Exbury Steam Railway has added a unique element to the garden experience, taking visitors on a scenic journey through its woodlands and alongside beautiful water features. Exbury Gardens remains a cherished example of British horticultural heritage, blending historical significance with breathtaking natural beauty.