Visit the world-famous Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, cameliias, rare trees and plants, in the heart of the New Forest National Park, Hampshire. A day spent at Exbury is a day spent in paradise. Created by Lionel de Rothschild in the 1920's, the gardens offer over 200 acres of natural beauty that echo to the names of the famous plant hunters - Kingdon-Ward, Forrest and Wilson. The early spring Rock Garden and Heather Garden, daffodils, magnolias and primroses give way to bluebells, rhododendrons and azaleas, with colour and birdsong at every turn. The spectacle of the Azalea Bowl is not to be missed in May. The summer months bring cool and shady riverside walks, hydrangeas and showpiece exotic and herbaceous gardens. Picnic next to ponds with golden orfe, carp and dragonflies. Take the family for a steam railway ride through the Summer Lane Garden. Autumn arrives in a blaze of colour from waterside maples, acers and dogwoods. Discover fabulous fungi and toadstools and be dazzled by Exbury's nerines (jewel lilies) in the Five Arrows Gallery.

Explore the Gardens on foot, by chauffeur driven buggy or travel on the Exbury Gardens Steam Railway. Offering peace, tranquility and relaxation year round. The neighbouring “Exbury Maize Maze” is open daily during the summer holidays. Next special events: Woodland Adventures, Sat 2/Sun 3 August; "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Sat 23 August.

Visit Exbury in 2008 and there will be a host of new features for visitors to enjoy.

A new Camellia Walk, planted seven years ago reaches its peak in March and April, while later in the season tree trails, devised by Head Gardener John Anderson to show off the best of the Rothschild Collection of woodland trees, can be enjoyed by all visitors. The Gardens became National Collection holders for two types of tree (Nyssa and Oxydendrum) under the National Council for the Conservation and Protection of Gardens (NCCPG) scheme in 2007, and these trees will be at their best in late 2008 when the leaves turn into flaming autumn colour. A new boardwalk is set to become a favourite feature, built across a swampy area. The new plantings here have a distincly Jurassic feel, including a swamp cypress, the ancient "maidenhair tree fern" Ginkgo biloba and three extremely rare Wollemia nobilis, the Australian Wollemi Pine, thought for years to be extinct. The Exbury Steam Railway will also see a new arrival in the shape of engine "Mariloo", a sister engine to "Rosemary" and "Naomi".

Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway, 20 mins
South of M27 J2 West, New Forest, SO45 1AH
T: 023 8089 1203