Furzey Gardens
BEST FOR
Ages 0-5
ENTRY
from £5
WHERE
Lyndhurst
What it’s like
Fairy doors hidden along woodland paths make this a slow wander for under-fives, with a monthly Toddle session built just for them.
Hunting for hidden fairy doors tucked into trees and hedges is the main job here, and it suits a small child's pace better than most gardens. There's no big play equipment or animals to rush between, just informal paths, soft ground and things to spot at low level, which is exactly why it works for the under-fives it's aimed at.
Once a month there's a Furzey Toddle session, a simple set of activities for under-5s, and it's priced as one child plus one adult for £5, cheaper than the standard gate ticket. Outside of that, adults are £9.50 booked ahead or £10 at the gate, children £5 or £6. Booking online in advance is worth doing on more than just price grounds, since the car park is limited and they say it fills on school holidays and public holidays, turning away anyone who hasn't booked.
Gates lock at 4:30pm and the garden opens at 10am, so it's a half day rather than a full one. The tea rooms are thatched and do light lunches, cakes and hot drinks, a decent stop if a fairy-door hunt has worn a small person out. Paths are natural woodland rather than flat tarmac, so a pushchair works better in dry weather, and some areas aren't wheelchair accessible, though there's an easier route and Blue Badge parking close to the entrance.
Dogs are allowed from November to March on a short lead, but not in the tea rooms, so summer visits are dog-free by rule rather than choice.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Under 5s, especially the monthly Toddle sessions
- Last entry
- 4:30pm (Garden gates locked at 4:30pm)
- Booking
- Essential during peak times and school holidays
- Parking
- Limited on-site parking. During school holidays car park may be full
- Food
- Cosy thatched tea rooms serve light lunches, cakes and hot and cold drinks
- Wheelchairs
- Easier path route available but not suitable for all wheelchair users
- Dogs
- Allowed in gardens from 2 November – 31 March only, must be on short lead
- Book online in advance, it's cheaper and the car park does fill on school holidays
- Furzey Toddle sessions run monthly and are priced as one child plus one adult
- Paths can get soft and uneven after wet weather
- The tea rooms are dog-free all year round
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£9.50 for an adult and £5 for a child if you book online ahead, £10 and £6 at the gate. The Furzey Toddle session is £5 for a child plus one adult.
Do we need to book in advance?
Yes, it's asked of everyone, including members, because car parking is limited. On school holidays and public holidays they may be full if you haven't booked.
What age is it best for?
It's aimed at under-fives, with the fairy door hunt and the monthly Toddle sessions built around that age group.
Is there parking?
There's on-site parking but it's limited and can fill up in school holidays. Blue Badge holders get parking close to the entrance.
Is it OK for a pushchair?
The paths are informal woodland ones with some slopes, and can get soft after wet weather, so a pushchair is easier in dry conditions.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There's an easier path route, but not all of the garden is accessible to all wheelchair users. Blue Badge parking is close to the entrance and the tea room has an accessible toilet.
What time do you need to leave by?
Gates lock at 4:30pm, with the garden open from 10am.
Can we bring the dog?
Only between 2 November and 31 March, on a short lead, and not into the tea rooms.
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