*************
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
Last Modified: 01/02/2010
Garden ID: 0029

pic: 0029_exbury.jpg

Owner: Mr. E.L Rothschild
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:
13th Mar - 7th Nov; Daily; 10 am - 5pm. Gates close 6pm or dusk if earlier.
alternate phone- or 023 8089 9422

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
Spring
Summer
Autumn

To see: 
Camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas
Herbaceous Garden, Exotic Garden & Hydrangeas
Acers , Dogwoods & Nerines

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: No
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Adult £8.50; Child (age 3 -15) £1.50; Railway fare £3.50; Senior Citizen £8 Family (2A + 3C 3-15yrs) ticket £19; Buggy tours (30/45mins) £3.50/£4 pp; Rover ticket £4.50
Group booking for "The Exbury Experience" in low season, an all-inclusive pass. Adults £13.50
Group - min. size 15: Adults £7.50; Group organiser free

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. Craft fairs, concerts and open air theatre. Evening walks.
Autochromes (Lionel Rothschild's early colour photographs) on display in Five Arrows Gallery from May - end Sept.
See own website for details of many and regular events in the gardens.


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 new 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. New Camellia Walk and new Iris Garden in 2005.


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