************* Garden Owners, Please copy this information and paste it into an email to: wb [at] armchair-travel [dot] com Please make any changes in BRIGHT RED in your email back to us. Regards, Armchair Travel Co Ltd http://www.armchair-travel.com ************* Garden Name: Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway Last Modified: 12/01/2011 Garden ID: 0029 pic: 0029_exbury.jpg Owner: The Rothschild Family Address: Exbury Southampton Postcode: SO45 1AZ County: Hampshire tel: 023 8089 1203 fax: 023 8089 9940 website: www.exbury.co.uk email: nigel.philpott {at} exbury.co.uk Features: English Heritage Grade: II* Opening Times: 19th Mar - 6th Nov; Daily; 10 am - 5pm. Gates close 6pm or dusk if earlier. alternate phone- or 023 8089 9422 During opening times, visit the Exbury website for up-to-date images of current flowering conditions. Best Times of Year to Visit: Spring Summer Autumn To see: Camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas Herbaceous and Grasses Garden, Exotic Garden & Hydrangeas Acers , Dogwoods & Nerines National Collection: Nyssa and Oxydendrum - wonderful autumn colour National Garden Scheme days: No Comments: Parties / Coaches: Yes Comments: Viewing by Appointment: No Comments: House Open for Viewing: No Comments: Admission Prices: Adult £9; Child (age 3 -15) £2; Railway fare extra £3.50; Senior Citizen £8.50 Family (2A + 3C 3-15yrs) ticket £21; Buggy tours (30/45mins) £3.50/£4 pp; Rover ticket for railway additional £1 for unlimited travel Group booking for "The Exbury Experience" in low season, an all-inclusive pass. Adults £14 Children £7 Group - min. size 15: Adults £8; Group organiser free for Gardens and Train SPECIAL OFFER 2011: Spring to autumn, enjoy two colourful visits, too wonderful for words! Visit the Gardens between 19th March and 5 June 2011, purchase a Gardens and Railway ticket and receive a FREE return ticket to enjoy the developing autumn colours* (* return visit may be made between 1 September - 21 October 2011). Parking: Yes Lavatories: Yes Disabled Access: Yes Shop: Yes Plants for Sale: Yes Lunches: Yes Teas: Yes Refreshments: Yes Picnics: Yes Dogs allowed: Yes Only on Lead: Yes Events: Yes Other Facilities: Buggy tours, free wheelchair loan, steam railway. Guides available for groups if pre-booked. Regular art exhibitions and open air theatre. Breakfast walks. 2011 marks 10th anniversary of Exbury Gardens Steam Railway Next special event at Exbury: Lachenalia Exhibition in the Five Arrows Gallery, 19 March - 12 April 2011 Visit own website for details of many special events. Designer: Lionel de Rothschild, adapted by his sons and grandsons. Description of Garden: A spectacular 200 acre woodland garden on the east bank of the Beaulieu River, world famous for the Rothschild collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias in spring. The daffodil meadow, rock garden, sundial garden, ponds, cascades and exotic trees ensure year round interest. The much-loved 12 1/4 inch gauge coal fired steam railway can 'Let the train take the strain' on a 1 1/4 mile journey around the Summer Lane Garden. Features of the ride include a bridge, a tunnel, travelling across a pond, along the top of the rock garden and across a viaduct to arrive at Exbury Central Station! Spectacular autumn colours. History: Exbury Gardens were the inspiration of Lionel Nathaniel Rothschild. He bought the Exbury Estate in 1919, and set about creating arguably the finest rhododendron woodland garden in the country. Lionel made his garden during the era of plant hunters such as Frank Kingdon Ward and George Forrest, who were bringing back seeds and specimens from the remote corners of Asia, and his enthusiasm was undoubtedly fired by their achievements. Local Inns: Fleur de Lys, Alley Pilgrim Inn, Marchwood Master Builders Hotel, Bucklers Hard Accomodation: The Montague Arms Master Builders Hotel, Bucklers Hard Restaurants: Master Builders, Bucklers Hard Village/Town/Sightseeing: Beaulieu