Historic Houses and Gardens

Beaulieu National Motor Museum

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Voted best large visitor attraction 2013 by VisitBritain, this is much more than just a Motor Museum, as well as telling the fascinating story of motoring through the ages, it also boasts the historic Beaulieu Abbey, and charming Palace House with its glorious gardens. For more information visit: Here.

Braemore House

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Set in beautiful parkland, the Elizabethan Manor House and Countryside Museum are open for visitors from April until the end of October. The Countryside Museum provides a fascinating insight into the days when the village was self-sufficient, with full size replicas including a blacksmith, village shop, school and dairy. It also boasts one of the finest collections of steam powered farm machinery, tractors, barn machinery and historical tools.

Braxton Gardens

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The New Forest's best kept secret, Braxton Gardens is a delightful haven of peace and tranquillity, just a stone’s throw from the sea. It boasts the largest rose garden in the New Forest with over 450 roses and 100 different varieties. Also herbs, perennials, gift shop and tea room. Free entry and parking.

Historic Houses & Gardens

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The exciting Maritime Museum and Buckler’s Hard Story gives an insight into the history of this 18th century shipbuilding village famous for the vessels it built for Nelson's Navy. Walk beside the riverbank for an opportunity to see some of the abundant wildlife that inhabits its banks. Buckler's Hard has been voted by Visit England as one of the '101 Things To Do Before You Go Abroad'.

Calshot Castle

SO45 1BR

This picturesque castle is one of Henry VIII's device forts, built on Calshot Spit at the Solent near Fawley to guard the entrance to Southampton Water. It was built as part of Henry's chain of coastal defences against foreign invasion especially during his turbulent times after his break from the Roman Catholic Church: Calshot Castle.

Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway

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Exbury Gardens 200 acres of earthly paradise offer a riot of colour in spring, an oasis of tranquillity in summer followed by a splendid show as the leaves change in the autumn. The famous Steam Railway runs every day the Gardens are open, with trains departing Exbury Central Station at regular intervals for 20 minute rides.

Furzey Gardens

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Set in the heart of the New Forest at Minstead in Hampshire, this delightful informal garden was established in 1922 and is renowned for its all year round beauty, and for being a haven of peace and tranquillity: Furzey Gardens.

Highcliffe Castle

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This magnificent Grade 1 Listed Cliff top mansion was built by Lord Stuart de Rothesay in the early 1830’s. Derelict for over two decades, the Castle is now fully restored externally, although not internally. Within the rooms visitors can find information on the Castle’s intriguing history as well as an extensive programme of exhibitions: Highcliffe Castle.

Hurst Castle

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Come and discover this artillery fortress built by Henry VIII at the seaward end of a spit. Commanding the entrance to the Solent, Hurst Castle offers one of the best views in England. It played a part in the imprisonment of Charles I in the 17th century and defended England from invasion threats in the 19th and 20th centuries. With plenty of open space for children to explore and fantastic views of the Isle of the Wight from the top of the Tudor keep, Hurst Castle is a great day out for the whole family: Hurst Castle.

New Forest Centre

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There is so much that makes the New Forest a special place to visit. The New Forest Centre runs an exciting programme of New Forest themed exhibitions and events throughout the year which explain the New Forest in a nutshell. There’s something for all ages, which will help you make the most of your time in the Forest