6 Gardens in New Forest National Park Hampshire That You Shouldn't Miss

In the heart of the glorious New Forest, Beaulieu is one of the South's top visitor attractions. Here you will find the National Motor Museum, home to over 250 vehicles telling the history of motoring. You can also visit Palace House and Gardens, home of the Montagu family since 1538, the remains of Beaulieu Abbey and World of Top Gear where you can see some of the vehicles from Jeremy, James and Richard's most ambitious challenges. Ride on the high level Monorail or climb aboard the replica 1912 open top London bus for a fun way to see Beaulieu's sights.

Located in Minstead, Hampshire, in the heart of New Forest yet just off the end of the M27, this informal 10 acre woodland garden contains an extensive collection of rare and beautiful plants from around the world. In the spring, banks of Azaleas and Rhododendrons dazzle with colour, secret paths lead through drifts of primulas and bulbs to quiet glades, while viewing areas provide outlooks over the New Forest. Flowering shrubs and trees continue the interest through the summer with a blaze of autumn colour at the end of the year.In the water garden flowering and foliage plants thrive both in and out of the lake, enhanced by a collection of conifers.Our award winning Chelsea Garden has been wonderfully recreated overlooking the lake after winning GOLD at RHS Chelsea in 2012.The waterfall leads into our reinstated water meadow.The gardens are wonderful for children. The shady play area has play houses, swing and even a "dry docked" play boat. There are plenty of places to picnic and play hide and seek. The gardens also hold a secret, there are over 30 tiny fairy doors hidden throughout the garden. Our wildflower meadow and cottage garden are great for spotting wildlife and you can take a step back in time when you enter our historic Furzey cottage. Delicious locally made cakes and sandwiches are available in the Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop, which has plenty of seating inside, comfortable sofas upstairs and a pretty outside terrace overlooking the gardens. Browse the Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop which showcases and sells a variety of local art, crafts and gifts including work undertaken by the students from the Minstead Training Trust. Those visitors who like to go home with a souvenir of the leafy variety will enjoy looking around our plant sales area where plants are very competitively priced. The Gardens are open all year round, and the Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop is open from the beginning of March to the end of October 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm (last orders at 4.15pm). The Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop is free to enter and browse and enjoy a coffee, cake or light refreshment. Entry to the Gardens is by a set minimum donation, please pay in the Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop. When the Gallery Gift and Coffee shop is closed please place donations in the box provided. The entry donation goes towards the upkeep of the gardens and to the work of the Charity in providing opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.

Now celebrating more than 100 years, Exbury Gardens is a spectacular collection of woodland, herbaceous, contemporary, formal and wildflower gardens. At over 200 acres, these impressive gardens (created and managed by the Rothschild family) border the Beaulieu River and boast a narrow-gauge steam railway, plus a newly refurbished restaurant and an outdoor cafe. For garden lovers: Capture Exbury’s hidden beauty and escape the cares of the world as you explore a myriad of pathways lined with rare trees and shrubs at your own pace. Seasonal highlights include rhododendrons and azaleas in spring, herbaceous borders and hydrangeas in summer and acers and nyssa in autumn. For families: Feed giant koi carp and golden orfe fish at Top Pond, complete a range of free activity sheets for children aged 3-11 and let off steam in the adventure play area. Visiting during the school holidays? Check out our brilliant events tailored to children and families.

Apple Court Gardens have been under new ownership since 2017. Please note that we are closed from 1 October until 1 May. This beautiful, much-loved garden was created in the 1980s in an old walled kitchen garden. On the edge of the New Forest, and just 1 mile from the coastal village of Milford on Sea, it makes part of a great day out. The 1 acre garden has a White Garden, Hosta Walk, sub tropical borders, grass borders, a Japanese garden and Daylily gardens. Come and have a cup of tea and slice of homemade cake in our summerhouse overlooking the garden. It really is a plant lovers paradise, with unusual specimens from throughout the world and a lovely tranquil place to spend an hour or so. Our nursery (free to enter) has unusual specimens as well as seasonal flowers, and palms and acers. Please follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more information about opening times and special events.

A stones throw away from the sea.A beautiful place to come and relax in the gardens and tea room.Enjoy the gardens, buy the plants, sit down and relax with lunch, cake and tea!

Spinners Garden is no longer open to the general public. We are only open by appointment for groups with a minimum charge of £70.