Exbury

The village of Exbury in the county of Hampshire lies in a picturesque location within the New Forest area, nearby the Beaulieu River. The village used to be closer to the sea but moved inland in the early 19^th century and much of the housing was designed primarily to provide accommodation for the workers on the Exbury Estate. Most visitors are familiar with the village because of Exbury House and Exbury Gardens, owned by the Rothschild family. In 1217 Exbury was destroyed by the French as they retreated following the Battle of Lincoln and only a small chapel remained. By 1726 William Mitford had bought the estate and planted the cedars of Lebanon and avenues of trees that radiated from what was to become Exbury House. The Mitfords later went on to build the current Exbury village using characteristic yellow brick. Exbury Estate was sold to Lionel de Rothschild in 1919.

The village provides ample amenities, shops, eateries and pubs and of course the wonderful surrounding area as well as the popular attraction of Exbury Gardens. The famous garden offers 200 acres of informal woodland garden with large collections of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. Considered the finest garden of its type in the country, Exbury Gardens includes some incredible engineering with a water tower, three large concrete-lined ponds and 22 miles of underground piping. Delights of the gardens are the Hydrangea Walk, the Rock Garden, Iris Garden, the Sundial Garden and a Camellia Walk running to a path alongside the Beaulieu River.