Hotels near the Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway

The brainchild of Lionel Nathan de Rothschild, Exbury Estate was bought in 1919 from the Mitford family and transformed into an idyllic garden with ornamental pools and paths. It is particularly famous for Rothschilds' collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias.

During the war, Exbury House was requisitioned by the Royal Navy, and when peace finally came Lionel's widow and son Edmund set out to restore the gardens' former glory, a labour of love continued by Edmund's sons Nicholas and Lionel.

Among the glorious collections of rhododendrons, azaleas & camellias, the newest attraction is the steam railway, which includes a bridge, viaduct, causeway and Exbury Central Station. For those who feel inspired to develop green fingers on their trip, the Plant Centre allows visitors to take a flourishing bit of Exbury Gardens home with them.