News

Exbury Gardens Chairman Lionel de Rothschild and Head Gardener John Anderson welcomed a VIP group from the Scottish Rhododendron Society on Friday 10 May, and all agreed it was a near perfect time to visit the award-winning New Forest Gardens.

Hundreds of exotic tropical fish are exploring their new surroundings at Portsmouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium following renovation of their giant underwater walkthrough tunnel display.

Emerging talent and Gosport’s “Battle of the Bands” winners Kelly and the Acoustics will headline a lineup that includes Kenny Alexander, a local folk singer who plays a whole host of instruments from guitar to piano accordion to mandolin, The Stokes Bay Strummers, a Ukulele chorus singing entertainers, Taylor Horne a local singer song-writer known for his adventurous lyrics and quirky subject matter and Chanelle Rawlinson, winner of “Gosport’s Got Talent”. The evening will start with a welcome from the Rose & Thistle Pipe Band.

With the coldest March and start to April in 50 years, it is likely that the Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons and azaleas at Exbury in the New Forest will be flowering profusely at the time of the 100^th anniversary of the Chelsea Flower Show. ‘2013 is going to be a special flowering season’ said Exbury Head Gardener John Anderson. ‘It is not often we can say the majority of rhododendrons and azaleas will be flowering at the same time as Chelsea is staged. But 2013 is one such year and this is very apt, as Exbury’s long relationship with Chelsea, going back to Gardens founder Lionel de Rothschild, is being renewed. Lionel’s great granddaughter Marie-Louise Agius is continuing the family gardening tradition, and is co-designing a Chelsea ‘Show Garden’ with her firm Balston Agius. I’m pleased to say that Marie-Louise has selected a few key Exbury rhododendrons within its design. A year after the New Forest’s Furzey Gardens won Chelsea Gold with Chris Beardshaw’s rhododendron themed design, we are delighted that the seemingly marginalised rhododendron will once again be seen at this most prestigious of shows.’

To coincide with May half term (Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June, 2013) one of the country’s top ten family theme parks is looking to recruit one lucky child to become its official ride tester.

An event that grows with popularity every year, the ‘Spirit of the 40s’ weekend returns to Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower in Gosport on the 6th and 7th April. Guaranteed dancing,...

Winchester Cathedral is delighted to welcome an exhibition of sculpture by Edward Hopkins for a Lenten exhibition in the Retrochoir. Hopkins was an established furniture maker before turning to...

There’s a saying that ‘Old Gardeners never die, they simply go to seed’ – but Douggie Betteridge, who has retired for a second time at Exbury, is an example of an old-school gardener who...

Following the success of the Hollywood blockbuster Les Miserablés, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is thrilled to have the Oscar and Bafta nominated costumes from the film on display for the first...

Elaine Munday from Exbury Gardens loves her job. But then there aren’t that many women who can get out of bed in the morning and look forward to driving a steam engine in their workplace. And...

A brand new indoor family play and explore centre for under 5s - Busy Boats Bay will open on Saturday 23 March for the Easter school holidays at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport in...

Exbury Gardens in the New Forest, Hampshire is looking forward to what promises to be a fabulous flowering season in 2013. So says Head Gardener John Anderson, who is encouraged by the size of...

MARWELL Wildlife is celebrating the arrival of a new male Rothschild's giraffe and now they need the public's help to name him.

The 6 day old male who is just shy of 6ft tall, was born as part of...

2012 marks the 200th anniversary of the casting of the Burmese Bell, an iconic Temple Bell that hangs from a sessile oak at the entrance to The Glade at Exbury Gardens. To mark the occasion the...

Explosion! The Museum of Naval Firepower in Gosport is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a Made with Love craft exhibition and trade fair in the Museum Conference Hall on Sunday 14...

A day out at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard this October half-term is the ideal place for families to engage with their history and come face to face with the fascinating artefacts, ships, stories...

October 11th 2012 will mark thirty years since the entire nation was glued to televisions watching the wreck of the Tudor warship, the Mary Rose, break the surface of the Solent (October 11th...

The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN), a popular attraction at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, has launched a range of merchandise, including t-shirts, mugs, pens and magnets, which bear...

The magnificent Jungle Falls garden has just been extended to accommodate some exciting new additions to Paultons Park. This summer the life sized topiary elephant, giraffe and crocodile are to be...

For one special weekend, the heritage of the submarine service will be on show for everyone. On Saturday 8 September, Fort Blockhouse and the SETT Tower are opening their doors to their hidden...

Volunteers from Gosport have launched the 21st anniversary programme of free Heritage Open Day events that take place in September. Part of the national event, Gosport will host a record 37 events...

Royal Armouries is set to pay tribute to the role of Fareham, Portsmouth and the surrounding area in the lead up to D-Day by staging a historic flypast as part of the Fort Nelson Tattoo.

The...

The New Forest Centre, Lyndhurst, in partnership with the National Park Authority and the Forestry Commission is staging its annual National Park Open Day on Thursday 23rd August at the New...

The £3.5m scheme to transform Fort Nelson into a museum for the 21st century has scooped two top awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Last year’s project – which saw...

School children have the chance to tread in the footsteps of Victorian soldiers at Fort Nelson this summer and prime and “fire” a bronze field cannon dating from the 19th Century.

The Royal...

Visitor numbers have jumped by 54 per cent, following the £3.5m redevelopment of the Royal Armouries Museum at Fort Nelson.

A total of 20,128 people passed through the doors of the Victorian fort,...

To celebrate the first day of the London 2012 Olympic Games on Friday 27 July, the historic WW2 era submarine HMS Alliance will ring its bell at 8.12am as part of the nationwide 3minute bell ring...

Enjoy all the pomp and circumstance of the Fort Nelson Tattoo on September 8 – and support three Armed Services’ charities.

Join the Royal Armouries as the Victorian Fort comes alive during...

The bell from Falklands Conflict submarine, HMS Conqueror has been acquired by the Royal Navy Submarine Museum thanks to an alert from former crew members of Conqueror. The historic bell was...

A highway man’s bell from the Wold War 2 T-boat HMS Turpin has been donated by the Nottingham Branch of the Submariners Association to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, in Gosport, Hampshire. It...

For the past 24 years the Rotary has held its annual Kids Day Out at Paultons Park. It provides a fun packed day for 2,400 disabled and disadvantaged children and their carers in the Wessex...

An advance preview of “The Boat” made from donated wooden items will be out of water and on display at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, Hampshire on Father’s Day on Sunday 17 June...

The National Bird of Prey Hospital, located at the Trust, is now extremely busy due to the recent high winds. In the last few days two young Peregrines, three young Kestrels and a baby Tawny Owl...

The National Museum of the Royal Navy has commissioned the composer and recording Artist Marvin Ayres to record a suite of four movements to reflect the Royal Navy on the sea, under the sea, in...

HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was celebrated at Exbury Gardens on Sat 9 & Sun 10 June, when children collected petals to form a giant Jubilee Crown, under the watchful eye of the National...

Thirty years on, former Falklands Task Group Submarine Staff Officer Commander Jeff Tall OBE will be giving a personal perspective on the conflict in an evening talk at the Royal Navy Submarine...

The Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport is getting ready to host an afternoon of jazz to celebrate Gosport’s Big Day Out on Sunday 10 June between 12 noon and 4pm and the commencement of the...

Head to the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson over the Fathers’ Day weekend (June 16/17) for a wild day out for all the family.Explore this 19-acre site – high on Portsdown Hill – and use your...

On Thursday 7th June 10am to 5pm the Royal Marines Museum in Southsea will be converted in to a Royal Marines base in Afghanistan where families can join the Royal Marines for the day. The event...

Whilst the nation celebrates with good food, this half term holiday it is Gruesome Grub that is on the menu at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, Hampshire where children can make their...

Could wisteria flowering at Exbury Gardens be amongst the tallest in the country? Up until early in June, visitors to Exbury’s Azalea Bowl could be forgiven for not spotting the flowing...

It seems everyone loves owls, so much so that over 120 children and adults poured into the New Forest Centre last Friday night between 7pm and 9pm to experience our favourite feathered friends...

The power to create a forest is vested in the Crown and, as such, royalty has always played a key role in the history of this area. The New Forest was created by William the Conqueror around 1079...

The Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson will ring to the sound of a 21-Gun Salute on Bank Holiday Monday (June 4) in honour of HM The Queen.

Uniformed gunners will perform the salute at 2pm as part of...

There is something for ages and interests this half term at INTECH. The Science Centre, near Winchester, has 100 hand-on activities including the new Sport Activity Zone. You don’t have to be...

Whilst the nation celebrates with good food, this half term holiday it is Gruesome Grub that is on the menu at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, Hampshire. On Thursday 7 June from 11am...

Exbury Gardens contains some of the crown jewels of the tree world, said plantsman Roy Lancaster, launching Exbury’s new tree guide.

The just-published pocket-sized guide to Exbury’s unique...

To help celebrate Marwell Wildlife’s 40th anniversary, the charity is offering the public the exclusive opportunity to visit the park after hours!

Visitors can see the animals at sunset, meet...

An African White-backed Vulture egg that fell 15 feet from its nest and landed on the aviary floor was rescued by a quick-thinking member of the Hawk Conservancy Trust staff and placed in an...

In celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is staging a fantastic 50’s themed family event from 2nd – 5th June. Whether you’re looking for a...

On the evening of Friday 18 May between 7pm and 9pm, instead of shutting up shop and locking our doors, we’ll be throwing them open to welcome in our guests from Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and...

A new guide to hundreds of trees in a world-famous Hampshire garden will help visitors discover rare and beautiful specimens in 200 acres of woodland walks.

A Guide to the Trees of Exbury, written...

Commemorate Florence Nightingale’s birthday by visiting Fort Nelson this Saturday (May 12) for a fascinating insight into the Lady with the Lamp.

Meet “Florence” in Fort Nelson’s new...

Fort Nelson will ring to the sound of a 64-pounder gun on Friday, May 18, during a rare chance to explore the Victorian fortress at night.

Meet uniformed gunners from the Portsdown Artillery...

Local residents and visitors to Paultons Park will now have a place to shelter whilst waiting for a bus. It is hoped the new bus shelter, which was organised by Netley Marsh Parish Council and...

May Mayhem with Hampshire's Top Attractions!

There is so much going on in May within all of the attractions, it's mayhem, from a Spring Autojumble at Beaulieu to a wonderful early morning tour of

Guided walks through the diverse landscapes of National Trust land in the New Forest are on offer through May, June and July.

The walks, on the Trust’s northern commons, are to be led by...

Sunday 6th May sees Hampshire’s biggest Dalek event taking place at the Royal Marines Museum in Southsea. The ‘Dalek Invasion of Portsmouth’ will take place between 10am and 5pm. Visitors...

A pocket-sized guide to Exbury’s unique collection of trees will be launched in May by world-renowned plantsman, Roy Lancaster.

The guide, written by Exbury’s head gardener John Anderson, may...

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict, the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport in Hampshire opens a new photographic exhibition - Falklands 30 – War Patrols on Wednesday...

Mary Sutton has a growing reputation as a contemporary textile artist and her work has sold at numerous venues across the country, notably at Country Living Fairs. Her inspiration comes from...

A giant wooden sign, made by Ordnance Survey volunteers, has put a National Trust New Forest common, near Bramshaw, on the map.

The sign, spelling out ‘Foxbury’, in seven meter high letters,...

Over 70 different events held across Hampshire will celebrate the best of local food and farming throughout July’s Hampshire Food Festival (July 1-31).

Hampshire Food Festival visitors can take...

For once it was not Exbury’s world-famous Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons and azaleas but a small unheralded native flower that brought the BBC Gardener’s World team to film in the...

A new season of evening Thursday Talks will start with an exploration of historic submarine accidents by underwater rescue expert Dickie Burston on Thursday 19 April at 7pm at the Royal Navy...

Easter Saturday was a busy day at Exbury as Gardens President Nicholas de Rothschild opened two new exhibitions.

The Four Seasons Artists Exhibition was unveiled in the Five Arrows Gallery,...

Dad’s Club, a new community initiative for local dads and their children to have fun together is due to start on Saturday 28 Aprilat 10am at the Royal Navy Submarine, Gosport , Hampshire. These...

Visitors to the National Trust’s open days at Foxbury, near Bramshaw, over Easter will be inspired by an introduction to the pleasures of outdoor living.

Bushcraft expert and National Trust...

Exbury’s main season ‘full bloom’ period, christened ‘The Glory of the Garden’ runs from mid-April until early June. During this time the Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas...

Head to the new-look Royal Armouries Museum at Fort Nelson this Easter and enjoy low-cost, fun-packed activity days for all the family.

The 19th Century fort is staging a number of Victorian-based...

The sheep at Manor Farm have been busy having lambs, just in time for Easter! The fluffy new arrivals are also being joined by a flurry of chicks and ducklings and some lovely Easter bunnies, all...

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict, the Museums of the National Museum of the Royal Navy will run a day by day account of the conflict using Facebook and Twitter...

Paultons Family Theme Park near Romsey, which famously opened the world’s first Peppa Pig World in 2011, has unveiled a new thrill ride for the 2012 season. Saturday 24th March marks the launch...

A pair of tiny hand-reared baby burrowing owls have taken to using teacups to roost in during the day.

The owlets nicknamed Linford and Christie, as they were born in the year of the London...

Intech Science Centre, near Winchester, is on track to open its new area of hands-on activities about sport on March 22nd. Before watching the spectacle of the London Olympics, families can come...

Wake up to springtime, this Easter holiday at the New Forest Centre. Pop into the Centre on any day to enjoy our Museum and Gallery or come along to one of our special Discovery Days on Tuesdays 3...

The work of the National Trust in the New Forest is highlighted by the popular BBC Countryfile programme, scheduled to be shown this Sunday March 18.

Presenter Julia Bradbury visits Plaitford...

Four days of family fun, recreation and countryside events at Easter are offered by the National Trust as they open 370 acres (150h) near Bramshaw to the public for the first time.Foxbury, for...

Children under 16 will be welcomed free of charge into award-winning Exbury Gardens in 2012. The New Forest Gardens, which won a ‘best in Britain’ accolade from tourist specialists Hudson’s...

Thimbleby & Shorland are to hold a dispersal sale of items from the former Village Life Museum at Paultons Park on Wednesday 14th March 2012.

The Village Life Museum was closed at Paultons at the...

A talk by its Chairman Peter Roberts Formed in 1867, the New Forest Association is one of the oldest conservation organisations in the world. It is dedicated to protecting and sustaining the...

The duck pond at Peppa Pig World has proved a surprising source of fundraising for the official supported charity of Peppa Pig, Tommy’s.

Supervisors at Paultons have been collecting change that...

For one special day only, Gosport’s Royal Navy sites at Fort Blockhouse and HMS Sultan are opening their doors to their hidden heritage as part of a fundraising day to save HMS Alliance. On...

With nearly thirty years of unstinting service to the New Forest Centre under his belt, Ednyfed Hudson Davies has stepped down from the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the New Forest Ninth...

People with a passion for the New Forest are invited to a Volunteer Fair showcasing the best of volunteering opportunities in the National Park.

This free event organised by the New Forest National...

This little lamb needs a bit of extra help getting cosy in the icy February weather. The newborn Dorset Horn, born at Manor Farm, arrived a bit earlier than expected and farm staff feared she...

A thirty tonne amphibious excavator, resting gently on floating pontoons, is restoring boggy land at Plaitford Common in the New Forest, with minimal impact on the precious landscape, which is...

A rare ladies submarine brooch has been discovered by staff at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, Hampshire. This delicate brooch is thought to have been specially commissioned for a...

Paultons Park, home to the UK exclusive Peppa Pig World, will be opening the park gates on Sunday 12th February for the Half Term holidays. Staff at Paultons have been busily preparing the park...

A group of Members from the Hawk Conservancy donated their time recently to give the Woodland Hawks & Owl Arena a bit of a make-over as part of the annual maintainence and improvement...

As Apprenticeship Week gets underway on 6 February, 80 EDF Nuclear second year apprentices have faced their biggest challenge to date by coming face to face with the engineering of HMS Alliance,...

Keep the kids out of mischief and mark the Chinese Year of the Dragon this February half-term by heading to the new-look Royal Armouries Museum at Fort Nelson from February 13 to 19.

Home to the...

Charity Evening in support of the Wessex Heartbeat charity.


An evening with Wayne ‘Hawaii 501’ Mardle and Peter ‘One Dart’ Manley at the Carisbrooke Arms in Gosport.


Date: Friday 10th...

Visitors to the National Trust’s Mottisfont will be able to explore how leading artists have looked at our lives over the last 100 years.

The latest exhibition in the art gallery at this...

The opening of an exciting new exhibition of 50 James Bond vehicles, which will be unveiled to the public on 17th January 2012, is now less than a month away. The exhibition, the largest of its...

Exbury Gardens drop child entry charge for 2012!

Children under 16 will be welcomed free of charge into award-winning Exbury Gardens in 2012. The New Forest Gardens, which won a ‘best in...

Father Christmas and a whole clutch of other colourful characters get the festive season off to a flying start at Exbury this weekend when the ever-popular Santa Specials steam through a wonderful...

In 2002, two young paddling enthusiasts decided to make it their mission to make Kayaking accessible for everyone to enjoy. Based from a shed on the Rivers edge they began to make their mark on...

Exbury, in the New Forest, has been named the best garden to visit in the United Kingdom. The prestigious national award, from leading guide-book publishers and tourist industry leaders,...

Christmas is coming early at Manor Farm, as the popular Christmas Market returns for another year on Sunday 11th December 10am-5pm.

The farm will be filled with festive stalls selling locally...

Christmas at Explosion

Come and join us at Priddy’s Hard as we celebrate Christmas at Explosion.

In the run up to Christmas this year, the Museum will be FREE for Gosport Residents. That’s...

Christmas Festivities at Explosion!

This December, come and join us at Explosion, the Museum of Naval Firepower at Priddy’s Hard, Gosport as we celebrate the magic of Christmas . Special...

Thoroughbredmusic is proud to announce the next location for ambient modern composer and musician: Marvin Ayres’ “Sacred Spaces” project. It is HMS Alliance, the historic WW2 era submarine,...

Local recycling artist Julie Williams will be showing off her Christmas handcrafted gifts as part of the Trash to Treasure Christmas Craft Market at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, in Gosport,...

Over the past four weeks, a team of six livestock keepers have been counting and checking the health of over the two hundred birds at Paultons Park.
Every year, all of the one hundred different...

Give something special, a gift to remember.
And that’s where Go Ape come in. ‘The Perfect Present for an Outdoor Lover‘.
It’s the annual riddle: what to buy for someone who has everything?...

A recent medal purchase by the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, Hampshire has uncovered a story of gallantry and dedicated military service spanning two World Wars. The medals of George...

Longdown Activity Farm will be expecting a very special person again this Christmas. Enjoy a day at the Farm and then visit Santa who will be installed in his own special farmhouse in a magical...

This November, come and join us at Explosion! The Museum of Naval Firepower in Gosport as we host an Explosive Fireworks Spectacular on Sunday the 6th of November. The display fires up at 7pm as...

Hampshire butcher A Turner & Sons has been awarded British Sausage Week‚‚ s ‚ National Brand of the Year‚‚ for their Best of British Sausage by rock legend and British Sausage Week...

This Easter, visitors to the Royal Navy Submarine in Gosport, Hampshire can dress up a pirate, cruise across Portsmouth Harbour, keep a submarine at depth and make a garden.

New interactive games,...

Exbury railway guard Ken Andrews has been chosen as one of the faces of British Tourism.

As Exbury Gardens open for the season and British Tourism Week gets underway, Ken, wearing his guard's cap...