Furzey Gardens

Just outside Lyndhurst, Furzey Gardens is a proper labour of love - a 14-acre woodland garden that feels genuinely curated rather than corporate. You're walking through mature trees, past rhododendrons and azaleas that bloom spectacularly in spring, with streams running through and plenty of quieter corners where you can actually hear yourself think.

It's the kind of place that appeals to serious gardeners and anyone after a gentle ramble without the crowds you'd get at the big tourist attractions. The paths meander through different zones - some formal, some wild - and there's enough variety that you won't feel like you've seen it all in 45 minutes. Families with younger kids might find it a bit sedate, though older children interested in plants will get something from it.

Admission is charged (check their opening hours and prices beforehand, as these can change seasonally), and you'll want to allow a couple of hours if you're actually paying attention to the planting schemes. Spring and early summer are best, when the whole place is in full voice.

If you're based at one of the New Forest campsites nearby - Ocknell or Longbeech are closest at about a mile and a half - Furzey works well as a half-day stop between woodland walks in New Forest National Park itself. It's different enough from the open heathland there to justify the visit, without feeling like you're chasing another tick-box attraction.