Local Houses & Gardens To Explore This Spring

This spring spend some time during your countryside break away discovering the history and heritage of some of the New Forest National Park’s most beautiful historic houses and gardens.

For anyone who loves to spend their free time wandering around National Trust houses or feeling inspired strolling through manicured gardens of grand historic properties, there’s much to explore and discover in and around our village of Beaulieu, here in Hampshire.

For one, we’re delighted that our very own country garden, a much-appreciated tranquil place in the heart of the National Park which has brought much joy to our guests and us over the years, has joined the National Garden Scheme (NGS).

Now, our English country garden, abundant in bee-loving flora may be enjoyed by even more, with our first open weekend happening on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th of June 2025. Head Gardener Matt will be there to take you on a tour, with all donations going to NGS. And of course, plenty of tea and cake will be available to those attending for a small donation.

But without further ado, if you’re looking for local houses and gardens to explore, here are some of our guests’ favourites…

Palace House & Gardens, Beaulieu

A trip to Beaulieu is not simply about motoring history. Yes, your attraction ticket includes the fascinating motor museum, but for those who love a house and garden, you can enjoy both Palace House and the stunning gardens of Beaulieu, just a stone’s throw from our country hotel.

With newly decorated bedrooms opening to the public for the first time, now you can see even more of this beautiful Victorian house for a glimpse into the lives of the Montagu family.

And the gardens? A delight in spring; visit the vibrant Victorian Flower Garden full of blossoming daffodils, irises and tulips, the fragrant Victorian Kitchen Garden growing herbs, fruits and vegetables, and the peaceful Mill Pond.

Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway

The perfect day out in the countryside might just mean visiting the world-famous family-run Exbury Gardens – loved for their vibrant spring blossoms.

Created by Lionel de Rothschild in 1919, this wonderful attraction is just a short 7-minute drive from our Hampshire hotel, inviting you to enjoy a spectacular collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, landscaped woodland, herbaceous, contemporary and formal gardens in a most beautiful location within the New Forest National Park.

There’s even a narrow-gauge railway picking you up from ‘Exbury Central,’ and a secret garden, the Summer Lane Garden, only accessible by train.

Buckler’s Hard

If during your short break you’d like to stay local and leave the car parked, why not take the 2.4-mile walk to the nearby Buckler’s Hard. Visiting the 18th-century shipbuilding village makes for a unique day out, giving you a chance to get out in nature and wander along the tranquil Beaulieu River before discovering the heritage of the fascinating attraction that was once a hub of British maritime activity.

From Buckler’s Hard you can take a river cruise, learn about the village’s shipbuilding history in the maritime museum, visit the well-preserved Georgian cottages and stop for tea and cake, before wandering back to our country hotel.

Furzey Gardens, Minstead

Considered a hidden gem, Furzey Gardens makes for a special stop for any green-fingered guest. Described as a ‘tranquil escape’, the gardens are the social enterprise of the charity Minstead Trust, working to ‘give people with learning disabilities the opportunity to thrive’.

Visit during your countryside break for winding informal paths, enchanting woodland and charming thatched structures, which means you won’t be surprised to spot dozens of fairy doors as you walk and wander. Visit the historic cottage, stop for tea and cake and take some inspiration home with you.