Exbury Gardens

Two hundred acres of woodland and formal gardens stretch along the Beaulieu River, created by the Rothschild family as their private paradise in the 1920s. The rhododendrons here are absolutely spectacular - come in late spring and you'll see why this place draws garden lovers from across the country. The azaleas put on quite a show too, with colours so vivid they almost hurt your eyes.

Families will love the narrow-gauge railway that winds through the gardens, though serious gardeners might find the crowds a bit much during peak rhododendron season. The autumn colours are properly gorgeous and far less busy if you can manage an October visit.

What makes Exbury special is the sheer scale of it all. This isn't your typical National Trust rose garden - it's a proper expedition through different landscapes, from formal terraces down to wild woodland walks by the water. The daffodil meadows in early spring are worth the trip alone.

From Southampton, it's an easy drive down to the New Forest area, making it a cracking day out from any of the nearby holiday parks. Lepe Beach Campsite is just down the road, and you could easily combine a garden visit with a coastal walk. Allow at least half a day here - there's far more ground to cover than you'd expect.