Exbury marks 90th Anniversary
A long-lost collection of historic photographic plates that signalled the dawn of colour photography will be on display at Exbury Gardens from late Spring 2009. The Gardens open for the season on 7th March, and will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of the purchase of the Exbury Estate by Lionel de Rothschild in 1919.
Before developing the world-famous Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons and azaleas at Exbury, Lionel was an enthusiastic and expert photographer, perfecting a process using colour plates known as autochromes.
Now these autochromes, which were discovered in a dark cupboard in Exbury House, form an important part of the Rothschild Archive. Despite the time that has passed they have lost none of their colour or freshness.
The autochromes on display in the Gardens’ Five Arrows Gallery from May to the end of September include many pictures of European gardens and one of visitors to London Zoo admiring a magnificent tiger.
New also for 2009 are Primrose and Camellia Walks during April, a spectacular three-day Rhododendron Festival over the May Whit Bank Holiday, and a Tea Festival, celebrating all aspects of Britain’s favourite drink.
Railway enthusiasts will enjoy the new extension to the Engine Shed, build to house Mariloo, the steam engine launched by Her Majesty the Queen in 2008. It will be open for inspection, containing railway memorabilia, videos and exhibits.
The year opens with an Engine Shed open weekend and an exhibition of the rare and delicate South African lachenalias in the Five Arrows Gallery.
Primrose and Camellia Walks follow, along with Plant Hunter tours for families and Exbury’s traditional Easter celebrations.
Exbury’s ‘Glory of the Garden’ – the colourful high season – runs from the last week in April through May, while the autochromes will be on show for five months from the beginning of May.
Breakfast Walks, a Spring Craft Fair, railway events, including a new ‘woodland adventure’, open-air theatre, PhotoTrek workshops, family trails and events for children will take place during the season.
The hugely popular Ghost Trains and Santa Specials will steam through the Gardens at Hallowe’en and during December.
“We are delighted that the 90th anniversary of my family moving to Exbury sees the public exhibition of some of my father’s wonderful early photographs,” said Leopold de Rothschild. “They were taken more than 100 years ago, and show many gardens, here and in Europe. Later he devoted much of his considerable energy in building the wonderful garden here that we are proud to share with garden lovers everywhere,” he said.
New display boards, explaining different aspects of the Garden and the plants and trees within it are also being placed this year.
Exbury Gardens open on March 7th until November 8th.
For more information please visit Exbury’s website www.exbury.co.uk
A new-look, user-friendly website will be active from the end of February.
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Contact: Nigel Philpott, Commercial and Marketing Manager, Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway
E-mail: nigel.philpott@exbury.co.uk Tel: 023 8089 1203
Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway
The New Forest, Hampshire SO45 1AZ
20 mins drive south of M27, junction 2 west
Open daily from 7 March – 8 Nov 2009, 10am – 5pm last admission. Gates close 6pm or dusk if earlier.
Admission:
Adults £8
Seniors and concessions £7.50
Groups (15 +) £7
Children (3-15) £1.50
Children under 3 free
Family ticket (2 adults and 3 children) £18.50
Railway extra £3.50
Buggy tours extra £3.50 / £4.00
