Exbury Gardens

What is Exbury Gardens?

Exbury Gardens covers 200 acres and features winding paths through woodlands, large plantings of rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias, and a variety of themed areas. There are specialty gardens such as the Rock Garden, Iris Garden, and Hydrangea Walk, as well as a riverside path and several ponds. The site also includes an indoor gallery with orchids and lachenalias, and a miniature steam railway that loops through different parts of the grounds.

The history of Exbury Gardens

The estate was bought by Lionel Nathan de Rothschild in 1919, who set out to create a large woodland garden inspired by his father's London garden at Gunnersbury Park. The neoclassical Exbury House, built in the 1920s around an older structure, stands at the heart of the property, though only the gardens are open to visitors. Exbury is home to the national collections of Nyssa and Oxydendrum trees, maintained under the Plant Heritage scheme.

What there is to see

The gardens are arranged in informal woodland style, with plantings designed to showcase seasonal highlights. Spring brings masses of flowering shrubs, while autumn is known for colorful foliage. Infrastructure includes ponds, a water tower, and extensive underground piping to support the plantings. The miniature steam railway, added in the early 2000s, takes visitors on a scenic ride through several garden sections.

When to go

Exbury Gardens welcomes visitors for most of the year, with the busiest times in spring and autumn. The steam railway offers themed rides, such as Ghost Trains in October and Santa Specials before Christmas. The gardens are maintained by a charity focused on public enjoyment and horticultural education. The house itself is not open to the public.

Parts and collections

Within Exbury, visitors can see a wide range of plant collections, including national collections of Nyssa and Oxydendrum. Themed areas like the Centenary Garden, Camellia Walk, and American Garden each highlight different groups of plants and styles. The Five Arrows Gallery displays orchids and lachenalias indoors.

Why Exbury Gardens matters

Exbury Gardens is recognized for its horticultural value and is listed for its historic importance. The garden's collections and design have made it a notable destination for plant enthusiasts and visitors seeking seasonal displays. The site is also documented in film archives, reflecting its cultural presence.

The flowers of Exbury Gardens

OrchidA vast family of colourful, often fragrant flowers found almost everywhere on earthRhododendronA vast group of shrubs and trees with showy blooms in many coloursHydrangeaFlowering shrubs with large heads that change color with soil pHIrisA large group of perennial flowers with striking, six-lobed bloomsCamelliaEvergreen shrubs and trees with showy blooms, best known for tea and garden flowersCatawba rosebayA spring-flowering rhododendron native to the southern Appalachian MountainsCamellia reticulataTall pink-flowered camellia from Yunnan, grown for gardens and tea oilCommon rhododendronA dense evergreen shrub with violet-purple flowers from Europe and the Caucasus

Questions people ask about Exbury Gardens

Good reading and sources

• Official websiteOfficial site

• Exbury Gardens on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data