Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway is fun place for all the family.

Summer is a favourite time for families to picnic in the Gardens. Jubilee Pond and Top Pond with its lazy koi carp, golden orfe and hovering dragonflies, endless source of fascination for children. Families can discover more in the Gardens at any time of year by following our Family Trail.

For many families the Exbury Steam Railway is a highlight of a visit to the Gardens. The 20 min journey where the guard invites a young passenger to wave the green flag to the driver. The Railway has very popular established special events, Ghost Trains and Santa Steam Specials

Other events include Half-term Flower Design And Petal Fall Weekend held end of May early June.
Artlook Exhibition in June and Tea Festival at end of July and Big Draw October

During the Exbury rhododendron and azalea season children continue a long-held Rothschild family tradition of collecting fallen petals on twigs and sticks or pieces of string. These resemble floral "knicker-bocker glories" and can be taken home or left to decorate the entranceway to the Gardens. The end of the main rhododendron season is marked by "Petal Fall Weekend" when children are welcomed into the Gardens free of charge and encouraged to collect fallen petals for a large collage prepared by a local NAFAS team.

Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway has Mr Eddy's Restaurant and Tea Rooms provides light lunches, snacks, ice creams and afternoon teas which is easily accessible from car park. We also have the Tennis Court Tea Gardens within the Gardens offering light snacks, ice creams, teas and coffee etc.

Vegetarian option available daily, all freshly locally sourced ingredients.

Our Gift Shop and Plant Centre is packed with a large variety of souvenir's and plants many related to the Gardens and Railway.

Toilets are located near the Gardens entrance; Exbury Central Station; the Herbaceous and Grasses Garden near Exbury House and the Tennis Court Tea Garden. Baby changing facilities are in main toilet areas or within those offering disabled facilities. Toilets are suitable for wheelchair / ambulant access.

Baby food is for sale on site and milk-warming facilities.

Directions to the Gardens are found on the Exbury website, with a click through from the visitor information link. There is also a map from this link. The Gardens are a 20min drive south from junction 2 of the M27. Head along the A326 from this junction, following the brown and white tourism signage for the National Motor Museum across a series of roundabouts. At the Heath Roundabout (marked by a pub/restaurant) you will pick up the brown and white tourism signs for Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway.

Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway recommends wearing comfortable shoes and recommends wearing wellies on a wet day. Dog's on short leads are welcome. Wear your scariest outfit to the Halloween Ghost Train! Fully disability accessible. Wheelchairs provided free on site. Chauffeur driven buggy rides. Wheelchair access on trains.

If you've had fun on your family day out to Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway, tell us about it your visit, so other people will know it's a great place to go as well.