Written by Away Resorts.
Spring is the pinnacle season for horticultural lovers and avid gardeners in the UK. Through what may have seemed like an endless winter with bare branches and sparse colour, sprouts new buds of life, bringing splashes of colour to landscapes once again.
If the winter has left you longing for a hit of fresh air and to catch up on your dose of vitamin D, it may be time for a much needed trip out. Take advantage of the sunshine out of peak season by visiting some of the beautiful gardens the New Forest has to offer in spring.
From stunning daffodil meadows to enchanting woodland gardens, the New Forest is the perfect destination for horticulturalists or even just families looking for a day out. Here are a few of the gardens in the New Forest, perfect for a spring visit.
1. Exbury Gardens
The inspiration of Lionel Nathan de Rothschild, a British banker, politician, philanthropist and collector of plants, Exbury Gardens is considered to be one of the finest woodland gardens in the UK.
There are eight varying and exciting sections to these gardens, all of which offer something new to see and a different landscape to explore.
Home Wood
Home Wood, is one of the sections of this great garden. It is marked by a large number of Cedars of Lebanon, which were planted in 1738, and are accompanied by a giant redwood from the U.S Pacific Coast. The paths through these woods are at their best around late April to early May. This is when the rhododendrons in their full magnificent bloom.
Daffodil Meadow
If you are looking for the perfect Instagrammable spot in the gardens, you may want to make a stop at the daffodil meadow, where visitors will be bathed in a glow of yellow thanks to the healthy crowd of golden daffodils, the bulbs are replenished every year to ensure maximum coverage. The meadow also provides exceptional views of the Beaulieu River, the picture-perfect backdrop for influencers on Instagram or a treasured family photo.
Sundial Garden
Sundial Garden is a small formal garden with pristine beds, luscious grass and perfectly trimmed hedging. A visit to this garden will have you believing you have walked into the grounds of a palace, with Tasmanian tree ferns, box hedges and topiary. Visitors can sit and relax on the pergola which is shaded by an ancient wisteria, providing the perfect shade for a visit in spring while the sun is still low.
The other five areas include Bog Garden, Rock Garden, Yard Wood, Winter Garden and Witcher’s Wood, all of which have their own interesting features worth discovering.
These gardens offer much more than flowers alone. Families that visit can enjoy the steam railway, which is open from the 23rd March 2019 as well as the adventure play area, allowing the little ones to play while parents relax on the nearby picnic benches.
A family ticket into Exbury Gardens currently costs £29, under 3’s are free.
2. Furzey Gardens
Furzey Gardens is a charitable trust, with entrance fees going to help the adults with learning disabilities that help maintain the gardens. So, not only do you get a day out in beautiful surroundings, you can also give something back by visiting these gardens.
This informal garden was formed in 1922 and is famous for its beauty all year round. It is a woodland garden which boasts an impressive expanse of ten acres. In the spring visitors are treated to an array of colours from the thousands of crocus, daffodils, primulas and bluebells, followed closely by their renowned collection of azaleas and rhododendrons, including some rare species of these flowers.
RHS Chelsea Gold Award Winning Garden
Anthophiles will enjoy paying a visit their RHS Chelsea Gold award winning garden, which clinched the top prize in 2012. It was built with the help of a team of young adults with learning disabilities, from the Minstead Training Project. Using one of the largest plots at the prestigious gardening show, they recreated the sloping woodlands and included acid-loving plants such as azaleas, acers and primulas, despite being traditionally snubbed by the show. The centre of the garden featured a reclaimed timber and thatch structure called the Lantern.
Furzey Gardens have made it their mission to break away from the traditional gardens that appeal largely to the older generation. There is definitely a focus on younger visitors at these gardens, with children being encouraged to discover the tiny fairy doors dotted around.
Children can also visit the play area which is newly refurbished or learn about creepy crawlies in the Bug Barn, which also provides paper and crayons for craft loving little ones.
Furzey gardens is a great day out for the family and benefits from conveniently being located just a 20-minute drive away from the family friendly Away Resorts New Forest caravan park.
A family ticket (two adults and two children) costs £24, under fours’ go free. Remember this entrance fee goes to a good cause as well.
3. Compton Acres
This set of gardens was originally created in 1920 to reflect the owner’s, Thomas Simpsons, travels overseas. Compton acres boasts five immaculately themed gardens which are joined by a series of links.
The gardens are:
The Italian Garden
Enhanced by the Italian Villa, a popular wedding venue in the area, the Italian Gardens transport visitors to Tuscany or Lake Como with its formal clipped yews, colourful seasonal bedding and stone columns. The garden also features Venetian bronze lanterns, statuary remains of Bacchus in a domed temple and the Wrestlers of Herculaneum, set around a large structured pond with a fountain in its centre.
The Wooded Valley
If formal gardens are not your thing, the Wooded Valley should be top of your list. This tranquil area oozes woodland charm with a wide range of trees and shrubs on offer, mixed with splashes of colour from bluebells and Rhododendrons. The paths through this garden pass cascades and pools.
At the far end of the valley, patient children are rewarded with a naturally styled play area. Allowing them to exert the energy they have been reserving around the gardens.
The Rock and Water Garden
The combination of rock-work and water in this garden creates realistic landforms. It is thought to be one of the largest privately owned rock garden in the country, which has tons of red sandstone and grey limestone to achieve a contrast between two areas. Dwarf conifers are scattered amongst other hardy shrubs, appropriate plants, such as Iberis sempervirens and spring bulbs. Giving a rugged natural, yet tranquil landscape which is combined with beautiful bridges, water features and sculptures, which gives this garden diversity.
The Heather Garden
Once the home of Mr Simpson’s fine cactus, the Heather Garden now has a softer appearance. The garden holds thousands of heathers, a mixture of both winter and summer flowering, which gives the garden year round colour. Visitors can enjoy a trip to the southern hemisphere by viewing the small collection of plants indigenous to that half of the world on the sunny bank as you exit the garden.
Any art lovers paying a visit will also enjoy the appearance of sculptures in this area as well, a mixture of classical and modern.
The Japanese Garden
This garden was inspired by the original owners love for the elegance and beauty of Japanese horticulture. To enhance the authenticity of this garden he imported genuine stone and bronze artefacts from Japan to display in this area. Plants native to Japan, such as Japanese wisteria, Kurume Hybrid azeleas and Sakura trees are dotted around a beautiful pool, filled with large Koi Carp. Visitors will also find a tea house inspired by the architecture of Japanese pagodas and temples.
No two gardens are the same at Compton acres and all are equally worth the visit. A family ticket (two adults and up to three children) to these gardens will set you back £19.50, those aged four and under go free.
The New Forest is the must visit UK destination for nature enthusiasts, whether they are bird spotters, ramblers or horticulturists, this area of Britain has so much beauty to offer.
British Tourism & Travel Show returns to the NEC Birmingham on 22-23 September 2021. For further information, please visit www.tourismshow.co.uk.