Furzey Gardens

About the garden

Owned by

Minstead Trust

An enchanting, informal woodland garden, full of winding paths and natural beauty, Furzey Gardens invites visitors to explore its secrets through each season. This hidden gem offers 10 acres of delight for every age and interest. There are views across the New Forest to the Isle of Wight and a refreshment stop on the terrace of the thatched tea rooms provides an enjoyable look over the gardens as well as a chance to buy gifts and plants.

First planted in 1922, Furzey has a botanically and historically significant plant collection from around the world. The garden year starts with the spring bulb displays of crocus, snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells. Banks of azaleas and rhododendrons dazzle with colour in the spring with many choice examples from the pre-hybridisation era. Drifts of primulas fill damper areas under towering Gunnera manicata. Winding paths lead to quiet glades with ferns and foxgloves heavy with the scent of Rhododendron luteum and Osmanthus.      

Summer brings a range of summer flowering shrubs, including one of the largest specimens of Eucryphia 'Nymansay' in cultivation. Beds of perennials provide interest through the late summer and autumn is a blaze of colour. Erica x darleyensis 'Furzey', which originated here, is now accepted worldwide as one of the best winter-flowering hybrids.    

The 2012 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold medal-winning Show Garden has been recreated by the lake and is now naturalised in its permanent home. Younger visitors can hunt for fairy doors and explore the secret world of bugs and insects. Furzey Gardens is also home to the very rare Scarlet malachite beetle, which is encouraged along with other wildlife in the gardens. At the heart of the garden’s philosophy is the training and support it provides to people with learning disabilities in the gardens and plant nursery.

Dogs on leads are allowed in the garden from 1 Nov-24 Mar.

Please note: this garden is partially accessible.