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Gardens & Arboretums in Southampton

None of these are in Southampton itself, but all are within a drive. Furzey Gardens out in Lyndhurst charges from £5 and is built for under-fives, with fairy doors along the paths and a monthly Toddle session just for that age group. Blackwater Arboretum in Brockenhurst is a walk among tall trees with a sensory sculpture trail to hunt down, and it welcomes dogs. Brentry Woodland at the Hillier Arboretum in Romsey is free and open to under-16s, with a huge collection of trees and a winter garden worth the trip in colder months. For toddlers, Furzey's slow woodland wander suits best, though booking is needed and it does have proper facilities including a cafe and accessible toilets. Brentry is the one to pick if cost matters, with parking and picnic spots but no toilets on site, so plan ahead. Blackwater has the most to explore if your children are older or you fancy bringing bikes for the forest cycle trails, and its own toilets are on site too.

✓ 3 places✦ 1 free to visit