Every week the staff here at Exbury will be compiling their must-sees in the gardens, focusing on different areas or seasonal plants. We hope that you will be able to use this as a snappy guide when visiting and that our favourite viewpoints, blooms and garden features might become your favourites too.

Focus 3rd May: Azalea Bowl, rhododendrons and azaleas on the principal paths, Exbury's New River Walk, Azalea Drive and bluebells in Yard Wood

1. Azalea Bowl on the verge of its peak

If you're looking for that 'wow' moment when visiting Exbury Gardens, the Azalea Bowl is definitely somewhere you need to visit. Even now, just before its peak flowering, these ponds surrounded by azaleas and acers have such a peaceful atmosphere and beauty that cannot be described. 

book tickets

 

2. Rhododendrons and azaleas on the principal paths

Exbury has many meandering paths - it's been rumoured to be around 22 miles of pathways, in fact - and the principal paths around Home Wood are full of beautiful sights at the moment. These are gravel paths that connect to the Main Drive and are wonderful narrow and enclosed areas, great for seeing burgeoning rhododendrons and azaleas.

This merger of pink and purple azalea shrubs is at the cross-roads between Lovers' Lane and the principal path that leads to the Iris Garden. There's also a lovely little bench here, which is great for photos! 

book tickets

 

3. Exbury's New River Walk

Over the winter period our gardeners and maintenance teams have worked hard to turn this rarely-used area of the gardens into our New River Walk, which has excellent views of the Beaulieu River! We will be officially be opening this area during the summer but it is currently open for visitors to have a sneaky walk through at the moment. On our walk, we were lucky enough to spot a deer on the riverbank!

book tickets

 

4. Azalea Drive - not just azaleas!

There are swathes of bluebells, vibrant acers, bulbous rhododendrons and of course bright azaleas flourishing on Azalea Drive at the moment.

We'd recommend walking along the whole of Azalea Drive if you can, all the way up to the American Garden and right back down to Exbury House. There is honestly something stunning to see at all spots along this tarmacked path, which is great for wheelchair users or families with children in prams. Azalea Drive is an excellent path to see our fantastic range of hybrid rhododendrons, most of which have huge flowers! Here's our top picks for rhododendrons on Azalea Drive at the moment:

book tickets

Would you like to experience the changing seasons at Exbury this year?

Purchase your Friends of Exbury membership for just £48 today and discover 200 acres of natural beauty and wildlife all year round.

Click to learn about membership