School and Group Visits to Exbury Gardens

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Steam into a Botanical Adventure

Explore 200 acres of spectacular woodland at Exbury Gardens. Enjoy a unique steam railway journey, discover world-famous plant collections, and engage with the natural world.

Explore Woodland Wonders

Students can immerse themselves in 200 acres of spectacular woodland and riverside scenery. It is a fantastic setting for youngsters to learn about diverse plant species and seasonal lifecycles while enjoying the freedom of the great outdoors.

Discover world-class woodland gardens, a famous steam railway, and rich biodiversity at Exbury GardensEducation Destination

Exbury Gardens offers an immersive outdoor experience that perfectly blends natural beauty with historical discovery. Spread across 200 acres of the New Forest, this world-renowned garden provides a safe and stimulating environment for pupils to explore. Whether they are wandering through hidden woodland paths or marvelling at the vibrant seasonal displays, youngsters are encouraged to connect with nature in a tangible and memorable way.

A major highlight for any visit is the narrow-gauge steam railway, which takes students on a journey through the heart of the gardens. This provides a fantastic entry point for discussing Inventions and Technology and the history of Transport, showing how steam power continues to captivate imaginations today. The thrill of the railway, combined with the scale of the estate, ensures that a visit here is as much about fun and adventure as it is about academic learning.

The site serves as a living laboratory for exploring Animals, Habitats and Biodiversity. From the banks of the Beaulieu River to the ancient oak forests, pupils can investigate diverse ecosystems and learn about the importance of conservation. With its links to World War II and its rich botanical heritage, Exbury Gardens is an ideal choice for a school residential stay, offering endless opportunities for youngsters to discover the wonders of the natural world.

Steam Railway Adventure

A major highlight is the narrow-gauge steam railway that loops through the heart of the gardens. This provides a thrilling way for pupils to explore the estate while learning about the history of transport and mechanical engineering.

Rich Natural Habitats

The gardens offer a living classroom for studying biodiversity and habitats. From tidal riverbanks to ancient oak trees, students can observe a vast array of wildlife and insects, making it a perfect spot for environmental discovery.

Wartime History Secrets

Youngsters will be fascinated to learn about the site's vital role during the Second World War as HMS Mastodon. It offers a unique opportunity for pupils to explore local history and the strategic importance of the Beaulieu River.

Hands-on Horticulture

The world-famous collections of rhododendrons and azaleas provide a brilliant stimulus for botanical studies. Students can investigate how micro-climates and soil types affect plant growth in a world-renowned horticultural setting.

Key Learnings

Animals, Habitats & Biodiversity

The 200-acre site encompasses varied ecosystems including ponds, woodland, and the tidal riverbank of the Beaulieu River. This provides a rich environment for students to study native wildlife, aquatic life, and the diverse insect populations supported by the exotic plant collections.

Climate, Weather & Environment

As a world-renowned botanical garden, the site is a living laboratory for studying how micro-climates affect plant growth. Students can investigate how different weather patterns influence the gardens and the importance of conservation in a changing climate.

Forests

Exbury features extensive woodland areas including rare specimen trees and ancient oaks. It is an ideal location for pupils to learn about forest layers, the lifecycle of trees, and the management of large-scale wooded landscapes.

Gardens

This is the primary focus of the attraction. Created by Lionel de Rothschild in 1919, the gardens allow youngsters to study horticultural design, the seasonal lifecycles of rhododendrals and azaleas, and the history of one of the finest woodland gardens in Europe.

Inventions & Technology

The gardens historically utilised advanced irrigation systems and horticultural technology to maintain rare species. Additionally, the mechanical engineering involved in the narrow-gauge steam railway offers a practical look at historical and modern technical solutions.

Local History

Exbury is central to the heritage of the New Forest and the Beaulieu River area. Its development by the Rothschild family and its role as a major local employer for over a century make it a key site for understanding the social history of the region.

Rivers & The Water Cycle

Bordering the Beaulieu River, the gardens offer a tangible way to study estuarine geography. Pupils can observe the movement of the tides, the water cycle's impact on the garden's irrigation, and the relationship between the river and the land.

Transport

The Exbury Steam Railway is a major feature of the site. Students can learn about the history of steam power, the mechanics of narrow-gauge railways, and how rail transport was used historically to move goods and people across large estates.

World War II

The estate played a vital role in the planning of the D-Day landings. Exbury House was requisitioned by the Admiralty as HMS Mastodon, serving as a headquarters for the landing craft used in the invasion, providing a direct link to the conflict's local impact.

Isle of Wight

Dorset / Jurassic Coast

Hampshire / New Forest

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Lifelong Learners

School trips to EXBURY GARDENS