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All 83 Southampton Attractions »

Furzey Gardens

School Lane | Minstead, Lyndhurst, Southampton SO43 7GL, England
44 2380 812464
Ranked #6 of 70 attractions in Southampton
4.5 of 5 stars 26 Reviews
Type: Gardens
Owner description: Located in Minstead, Hampshire, in the heart of New Forest yet just off the end of the M25, this informal 10 acre woodland garden contains an...... more » Owner description: Located in Minstead, Hampshire, in the heart of New Forest yet just off the end of the M25, this informal 10 acre woodland garden contains an extensive collection of rare and beautiful plants from around the world. In the spring, banks of Azalias 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. The waterfall leads into our reinstated water meadow.The gardens are wondeful for children. The shady play area has play houses, an overhead walkway, swings and crawl tunnel and there are plenty of places to picnic and play hide and seek. The gardens also hold a secret - over 30 tiny fairy doors hidden throughout the garden. Also popular are the thatching and bee displays and children love to meet our four alpacas and two very friendly miniature donkeys.Delicious locally made cakes and sandwiches are available in the Tea Rooms, which have plenty of seating inside and a pretty terrace overlooking the gardens. The Gallery showcases a variety of local art and crafts including woodwork, ceramics, needlecrafts and jewellry.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 sold at very competitive prices.Visitors are welcome to visit the gardens all year round, although the Tea Rooms and Gallery are closed between (and including) Nov - Feb every year. March to October the Tea Rooms and Gallery open at 10am and last orders are taken at 4.15pm.Admission to the Gallery and Tea Rooms is free of charge. Entry to the Gardens is by minimum donation all year round (please place donations in the box provided when the Gallery is closed). 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. « less
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26 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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    3
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Date Rating
Salisbury, United Kingdom
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 May 2012 NEW

We took our grandchildren (6 and 3 years) who both had a wonderful day at Furzey Gardens, as did we. Beautiful at this time of year (late May) with the rhododendrons and azaleas in flower. Lots to keep children happy, they loved looking for the fairy doors, writing notes to slip under them and of course the wood and thatch... More

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Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 May 2012 NEW

This is a wonderful place, as you are walking around your children will have fun seeking out the fairy doors hidden around the park, and you have the added bonus of helping a good cause at the same time...it's win win!!!! More

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Southampton, United Kingdom
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2012

This is a gorgeous place to spend some time. The children love coming here and have loved it since they were small. The tree houses and hidden corners of the gardens have led to some great games. They are now teenagers and still love finding the fairy houses and exploring the garden. I enjoy the peace and quiet, the birds,... More

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portsmouth
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2012

My wife and I loved this place. It is not huge but there is something friendly and pleasing about this place that other gardens lack. There are lots of little surprises here and there and little houses / shacks and things children can explore and climb around hidden in the gardens. There is a small cafe but lots of space... More

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Winchester, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 April 2012

Lovely day out with the kids searching for fairy doors. We took a picnic lunch with us and enjoyed relaxing on the grass. The one thing that really annoyed all of us was the lack of fairy themed items in the shop. They get you so excited in the gardens ............ More

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Surrey, UK
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 March 2012

On a beautiful Sunny March day we stumbled upon Furzey Gardens. We weren't sure if it'll be suitable for our 6 and 3 year old boys, but it was perfect for them. Upon entering, we were enchanted by a beautiful thatched cottage, which we were able to go in and look around. My sons were both given a map each... More

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Hants UK
Senior Contributor
34 reviews 34 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 March 2012

This is a small garden but clearly loved by those that work in it and visit it. Famous for its rhododendron and similiar lime lovers. fragrant and lovely. bit more charm in the shop might help though More

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salisbury
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 March 2012

tucked away down a leafy lane stand furzey gardens very pretty lovely walk through various herbaceous borders and shrubs. A beautiful lake and tea room with an art gallery. Any time of the year is worth a visit. Take a camera! More

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Southampton, United Kingdom
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 January 2012

I took my sons there in 1/2 term but it was a very wet day - but we still had a brill time in the rain and it was so quiet due to the weather. It was like we had the garden all to ourselves - great fun for exploring with little ones! More

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Southampton, United Kingdom
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 January 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Visited several times last season with my children who adore the gardens. On the second trip also took my elderly mother who equally enjoyed it. Plenty to see and do such as miniature donkeys and fairy door hunts in beautiful surroundings. Charming cafe serving good quality food and to top it off all the money spent at Furzey goes to... More

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