Exbury Gardens
Explore 200 acres of beautiful gardens on this easy walk in the New Forest National Park. The gardens have miles of well laid out footpaths perfect for an afternoon stroll. In the gardens you'll find a wonderful collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, rare trees and plants. There are also tranquil lakes and ponds with pretty wooden bridges over the water. Other highlights include the Hydrangea Walk, the Rock Garden, Iris Garden, the Camellia Walk and a riverside path along the Beaulieu river. You can also catch the super Steam railway which will take you on a wonderful tour of the gardens.
If you would like to extend your walking in the area you could pick up the Solent Way and enjoy a riverside walk along the Beaulieu River.
On the opposite side to the gardens there's the delightful hamlet of Buckler's Hard where there's a number of pretty Georgian cottages running down to the river and a marina.
Click on the google street view link below and you can virtually explore the gardens.
Postcode
SO45 1AZ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Exbury Gardens Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Exbury Gardens Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Exbury Gardens OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Exbury Gardens Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Explore the Area with Google Street View 
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head south east of the gardens and you will soon come to Lepe Country Park. This coastal park has lovely beach walks and views of the Isle of Wight over the Solent.
Also to the east you can pick up the Ashlett Creek to Calshot Walk. This will take you from Ashlett Quay along the creek to the site. There's great views across Southampton Water and lots of birdlife to look out for in the reserve. The castle and sea wall are also well worth exploring. The artillery fort has an interesting history having been constructed by Henry VIII on the Calshot Spit during the 16th century.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Hampshire Walks, New Forest Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Red trees (acers, I assume) immediately to the east of Main Drive. Part of Exbury Gardens.
Exbury House. The south front of the house, which has views across the Solent towards the Isle of Wight. The house and this lawn are out of bounds to visitors to the Exbury gardens.
Moored boats on the Exbury River. The Exbury River is little more than a tidal channel where a stream empties into the Solent. There is a small private quay with a number of moored motor boats. The river is a short walk from the gardens and makes a nice extension to the outing.
Boats moored on the Beaulieu River, Lower Exbury. These boats are moored on the river near Lower Exbury. The posts mark the edge of the river channel and the beginning of the tidal mud (currently covered by the high tide).
Trees on Main Drive. A variety of trees alongside Main Drive in the northern part of the gardens.
A view along Main Drive, towards Gilbury Bridge. This area to the north of Exbury House is mainly lawn with large specimen trees and borders.
Tidal mudflats near Inchmery House, Lower Exbury. In the foreground are the tidal mudflats with the small Exbury River winding its way to join the larger Beaulieu River where it exits into the north Solent. On the far side of the Beaulieu River is the bird sanctuary of Gull Island, and in the distance the chalk downs of the Isle of Wight.
Field at Lower Exbury. Less than half this grid square is dry land - the rest is either tidal mudflat or tidal river (the Beaulieu River) where it enters the Solent. This field looks like it is also being used as a campsite