A wellbeing festival and steam railway celebration are set to draw crowds to Exbury Gardens.
Renowned as one of the UK’s most celebrated woodland gardens, the attraction will hold its first ever wellbeing festival in a bid to help people pause, reset, and reconnect with nature. It takes place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June.
Iris Garden at Exbury credit Exbury Gardens
Throughout the weekend event, visitors can take part in free drop-in sessions including Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, Forest Bathing, and breathwork, all led by experienced teachers. There will also be the chance for visitors to try their hand at making Kokedama; Japanese-inspired moss-wrapped ornamental plant balls. Activities will take place in a large festival marquee on the lawns.
Summer imagery for Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway
Later in the month, on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June, steam will take centre stage as the attraction celebrates the 25th anniversary of its narrow-gauge railway. Organised to coincide with Father’s Day weekend, the event promises vintage rail, working miniature traction engines touring the grounds, and a host of family-friendly activities.
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway
The fittingly-named Rhododendron Line departs from Exbury Central station, a replica of Aviemore station in Scotland. The railway features three engines and 10 carriages, and includes its own engine shed and turntable. It was the brainchild of the late Leopold de Rothschild, whose father Lionel founded Exbury Gardens in 1919.
The mile-and-a-half track winds through some of the attraction’s most picturesque spots, passing the Rock Garden, Dragonfly Pond, Domesday Yew and the American Garden, before travelling through a tunnel inspired by the Gothic Clayton Tunnel in West Sussex. Over the years, the railway has welcomed many notable passengers, including HRH Queen Elizabeth II, who visited twice.
During the anniversary weekend visitors can also explore a wide range of model railway layouts across various scales, gauges and eras inside the engine shed, alongside scaled-down model locomotives.
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway
Both the Wellbeing Festival and Days of Steam are free with general admission or membership. Exbury Gardens is open daily until November. For more information and bookings visit www.exbury.co.uk
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