Getting to Exbury
This page and links section will be regularly updated to give details on the New Forest Tour Bus, scheduled to visit the Gardens up to 8 times a day between Sat 19 June and Sun 12 Sept 2010, and other sustainable transport links.
Exbury Gardens are in the beautiful New Forest, near Beaulieu and just 20 minutes from junction 2 of the M27.
The Gardens postcode is SO45 1AZ. If using in-car navigation and approaching from the east, you may be directed to the Gardens via junction 3 of the M27. Using both junction 3 and junction 2 of the M27 will eventually see you driving along the A326, from where brown and white tourism signs will guide you to the Gardens from the Heath roundabout – the entrance to the New Forest.
If you are not arriving by car, please click here for alternative transport links
Google map
South West trains leave London Waterloo and take approx 1 ¼ hours to reach Southampton. From Southampton, it is possible to take a Passenger Ferry to Hythe, 6 miles from Exbury, and then catch a taxi.
www.hytheferry.co.uk
tel: 023 8084 0722
You may wish to stay on the South West train to Brockenhurst Station (approx 1 ½ hours travelling time from London) as there is a taxi rank immediately outside. South West Trains also link Brockenhurst with Basingstoke, Winchester, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.
Cross country services connect with Reading, Oxford, Banbury, Coventry, Birmingham and all points further north.
www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk
National rail enquiries tel: 08457 484950
During the summer, between Sat 19 June and Sun 12 Sept, the New Forest Open Tour Bus is scheduled to visit the Gardens eight times a day. Visitors entering the Gardens and using the Bus are entitled to a FREE ride on the Exbury Gardens Steam Railway. For timetable and pricing information visit:
www.thenewforesttour.info/times.html
tel: 02380 614459
National Express coaches depart Victoria Coach Station for Southampton on a regular basis, with a journey time of between 2 hours 10 mins and 2 ½ hours.
www.nationalexpress.com
tel: 08705 808080
An interchange at Brockenhurst links the railway with regular Wilts and Dorset buses (01202 673555). Solent Blue Line & The New Forest Open Top Bus Tour and National Express all link in here.
Whilst many visitors choose to visit Exbury as part of an organised tour, these are irregular and unfortunately none of the out-of-London Day Visit Coach Operators currently include Exbury in their regular itineraries.
However, the Exbury Estate Office keeps a record of planned day-trips by operators and we would be pleased to advise of any trips that may coincide with planned itineraries. There is a section on the Exbury website which lists those operators visiting the Gardens who welcome bookings. Click here for details.
tel: 023 8089 1203
e-mail: nigel.philpott@exbury.co.uk
Exbury has a number of cycle racks in a special area close to the Gardens entrance. The roads around the Gardens are narrow, but reasonably flat and are very atmospheric. It is approx 2 miles to Lepe Country Park, a favourite spot for cyclists.
Operators within the New Forest:
Available via Hidden Britain Tours. Explore the New Forest with a Hampshire Ambassador as guide, in a luxury seven seater people carrier. Departs from Lyndhurst Vistor Centre or elsewhere by arrangement.
To book, tel: 023 8028 2269 or 01256 814222,
email: info@hiddenbritaintours.co.uk
www.hiddenbritaintours.co.uk