Exbury Gardens to keep its gates open to visitors during new lockdown

Exbury Gardens in the New Forest will remain open throughout the four-week lockdown.

For the first time in its 101 year history, Exbury Gardens’ stunning 200-acre woodland landscape, currently ablaze with seasonal colour, will remain open into December to visitors, possibly up until Christmas. Admission prices will also be reduced to £8 per adult and £3 per child. This follows new government guidance allowing visitor gardens to open during the lockdown period.

“Since the new lockdown was announced we’ve had lots of requests from members of the public wanting to know if we would remain open as they’ve been enjoying the Gardens so much. With government guidance clear, we’re pressing ahead and look forward to seeing visitors make the most of our socially-distanced open space and woodland wonders,” said Robin Savill, Head of Operations at Exbury Gardens.

“The gardens are exceptionally beautiful at the moment, with our acer collection shedding vibrant reds and our National Collection of Nyssa and Oxydendrum aflame with oranges and yellows. We are also having an exceptionally good year for fungi, with many interesting species carpeting our woodland garden. It's a real pleasure to be able to show off our collections of rare trees and shrubs at this time of year.”

Thanks to high visitor demand from people wanting a ‘nature fix’, Exbury Gardens had only recently announced an extended season into November. This latest move means even more people can reap the mental and physical benefits of using its 200 acres for exercise.

Tickets to Exbury Gardens must be pre-booked online, with visitors given an arrival time slot so arrivals are staggered to maintain safe social distancing. Opening hours are now 10am - 4pm, with last entry at 2.30pm. Take-away snacks and refreshments will be available.

Exbury Gardens was one of the first visitor attractions in the south to reopen to the public after lockdown ended and saw a boost in admission numbers over the summer, as well as in the recent autumn months. It is a proud holder of Visit Britain’s ‘We’re Good To Go’ certification, showing it adheres to current Government and public health guidance.