Hannah
22 April 2020
The New Forest is well-known for offering a variety of spectacular sights, from its stunning waterside views to secluded woodlands and miles of vast, open moorland. But there is also much beauty to behold of the horticultural kind, with several New Forest gardens that can be found throughout the National Park.
If you’re looking for a day out teeming with colour and life, be sure to visit some of these beautiful public gardens in Hampshire. Make sure you have somewhere to base yourselves in the New Forest with our collection of holiday cottages.
Found in the village of Exbury just down the river from Beaulieu, Exbury Gardens is probably one of the best gardens in Hampshire. It was created by Lionel de Rothschild in the 1920s, and keeps his grand visions alive even today. Spread over 200 acres, the garden is truly magnificent in the springtime, with the arrival of the rhododendron, primrose and bluebell blooms as well as the stunning Azalea Bowl. In the summer, the exotic garden and the herbaceous and grasses garden come to life while Japanese maples and dogwoods bring a splash of autumn colour. You can even bring your dog with you to explore this New Forest garden and relax in the on-site restaurant.
Visitor information
- Price: Adults from £12.50, children from £4.65, family tickets from £29.00, under-3s free
- Opening times: 10am-5.30pm, from 20th March until 5th November only.
- Dogs are welcome on the lead
- Wheelchair-friendly, with a buggy service, offered to help explore the gardens
- Shop, cafe and picnic areas on site
- Toilets and baby changing facilities available
Stay nearby: Danny’s Cottage, Beaulieu Heath – sleeps 2
Braxton Gardens is a small series of gardens based around a lovely tearoom, perfect for an afternoon tea. Located near Milford-on-Sea, the gardens are separated into several lawns, herb and vegetable gardens and a rose garden, with entry being completely free. At the centre lies the tearoom, Muffins Galore, where you can enjoy tea and cake looking out towards the lush greenery and colourful plants.
Visitor Information
Price: Free
- Opening times: Feb: Wed – Sat 10 – 4 and Sun 10.30 – 4. March to December: Tues – Sat 10 – 4, Sun and bank holidays 10.30 – 4.
- Good dogs are welcome
- Tea rooms on site
Stay nearby: Angel Cottage, Lymington – sleeps 5
Surrounding the grounds of Beaulieu’s grand Palace House, the grounds and gardens of Beaulieu are immaculate and explored via a set of footpaths which criss-cross the village attraction. Step back in time to the 1800s in the Victorian kitchen garden and flower garden, feast your eyes on the Alice in Wonderland topiary display, see masses of colourful flowers in the wilderness gardens and take a scenic riverside walk. One of the most beautiful gardens in the New Forest, this is one you won’t want to miss.
VISITOR INFORMATION
- Price: Adults £24.75, children aged 5-17 £12.50, family tickets £64 - entry to other Beaulieu attractions included
- Opening times: Summer 10am-6pm, winter 10am-5pm
- Dogs are welcome on the lead
- Wheelchair-friendly, mobility scooters available to hire
- Shop, cafe and picnic areas on site
- Toilets and baby changing facilities available
Stay nearby: The Saddlery, Beaulieu – sleeps 6
Tucked away in the village of Pilley is Spinners Garden, a woodland garden with a collection of rare and unusual plants which has been gradually grown over the course of fifty years. Enjoy a woodland walk through the two-acre garden, lined with varieties of farns, hydrangeas, lilies, hostas and rodgersias. There’s also a small arboretum and a pond to see, while plants can be bought to take home from the nursery. This unique New Forest garden in well worth a visit.
- Open for events and group visits only - contact for more details
Stay nearby: Gilpin House, Lymington – sleeps 10
On the outskirts of Minstead lies Furzey Gardens, a small garden in the New Forest which packs in a lot to see. Kids will love searching for the fairy doors, behind which they can leave messages for the fairies, while other sights to see along the way include a 16th-century cottage and the thatched gallery. There are 10 acres of gardens to explore which remain colourful year-round, as well as a pretty pond home to a variety of wildlife. This is one of the best open gardens in Hampshire to visit as a family!
Visitor information
- Price: Adults £8, children £4.50, under-5s free, family ticket £24
- Opening times:10am until sunset
- Assistance and guide dogs welcome only
- Shop and cafe on site
- Toilets and baby changing facilities on site
Stay nearby: Clares Cottage, Lyndhurst – sleeps 2
First established over 30 years ago, Apple Court Garden was once abandoned but is now a beautiful and thriving ornamental garden spread across an acre of land. The design sees the garden split up into various ‘rooms’, including a Japanese garden, complete with bamboo and Japanese maples, and the White Garden, decorated with a circular lawn, an ellipse of pleached hornbeam and several colourful flowers. Plenty of scenic walks also take you through the New Forest gardens such as the Fern Walk and the Hosta Walk.
Visitor information
- Price: Adults £5, 12-16 year-olds £3.50, under 12s free
- Opening times: 10am-4pm Thursday to Sunday, June to September only
- Guide dogs permitted only, dog waiting area in car park
Stay nearby: Petite La Mer, Downton – sleeps 2
Find these beautiful New Forest gardens
Stay in a New Forest cottage
All holidays in the New Forest should offer somewhere cosy and welcoming to retire to after a day of exploring the area. Our cottages in the New Forest come in all different shapes and sizes, from romantic cottages for two, to large houses perfect for group and family getaways. View our full collection and find the perfect New Forest escape.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.