Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway

Southampton , United Kingdom

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Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway in Southampton is an exceptional landscape created by Lionel de Rothschild starting in 1919, covering about 200 acres with beautifully designed woodland, herbaceous, contemporary, and formal gardens.

The gardens are renowned for their collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and rare trees sourced from plant-hunting expeditions, making it a horticultural treasure with over a century of development. The steam railway, built between 2000 and 2001, adds a unique attraction that travels on a 12¼ inch gauge track through about 1.5 miles of the gardens, including tunnels, rock gardens, and themed areas, offering visitors both a scenic and historic experience.

The railway was inspired by the passion of Leopold de Rothschild and features specially built steam locomotives, including one named by Queen Elizabeth II. Exbury Gardens opened to the public in 1955 and continues to be managed as a charitable trust promoting horticulture and conservation while hosting popular events like seasonal ghost trains and Santa specials. The site blends natural beauty, family enjoyment, and heritage, making it a celebrated destination in southern England.​