Description
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is a world-renowned arboretum and botanical paradise located near Romsey in Hampshire. Spanning 180 acres, it is home to one of the largest and most diverse collections of trees and shrubs in the world, featuring over 42,000 specimens. As a premier choice for a family day out in Hampshire, it blends horticultural excellence with adventurous outdoor play.
While entry is ticketed, the gardens offer exceptional value through memberships that provide unlimited access for a year. The site features free parking and a network of safe, all-weather paths, making it a highly accessible weather-proof option for buggies and mobility scooters throughout the seasons.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that is both breathtakingly beautiful and full of activity, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is a top-tier pick. It offers an educational day out with dedicated school programmes and "Summer Family Spotter" trails that encourage children to discover wildlife and seasonal blooms. For sensory play, the Education Garden is a highlight, where children can smell exotic herbs, create their own music, and explore bamboo tunnels.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
What makes Sir Harold Hillier Gardens unique?
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is unique for its status as a registered charity and its collection of "Champion Trees," which are some of the largest or rarest of their kind in the UK. It provides a fantastic educational day out through its Education Garden, where kids can investigate food growing and recycling areas or relax in a peaceful library corner. For sensory play, children can bounce across a wobbly bridge to reach hidden bamboo groves or enjoy the "Sound Bath" classes that use gentle movements and sound to soothe the soul in a natural setting.
- Treehouse Adventure: A magical multi-level play area where children can play among the canopy with views across the gardens.
- The Winter Garden: One of the largest in Europe, specifically designed for winter interest with vibrant bark and fragrant scents.
- Wobbly Bridge & Bamboo Tunnels: Classic outdoor adventures that challenge a child's balance and sense of discovery.
Top 5 Highlights
- Treehouse & Super Snake Swing: The ultimate spot for high-energy play with timber climbing features and a giant swing.
- The Bog Garden: Weave through bamboo tunnels and cross the wobbly bridge over the stream.
- Pond Dipping: Seasonal events where kids can discover what lurks beneath the water in the Education Garden ponds.
- Centenary Border: A spectacular 250-metre long border that provides a riot of colour through the summer months.
- Light Up Trail (Seasonal): A magical Christmas event featuring lasers, projections, and fire performers.
The gardens are divided into several themed areas and facilities:
- The Education Garden (Sensory plants, music making, and food growing area).
- Hilltop Adventure (Main timber play area with the treehouse and snake swing).
- Woods of the World (Home to visiting pigs that help clear scrubland).
- Jermyn’s House (The original Hillier family home, now used for events and dining).
- Courtyard Café (Light lunches and special 'bug boxes' for children).
- Garden Restaurant (Evening hire venue and formal daytime dining).
- Visitor Pavilion (Gift shop and entrance hub).
- Ponds & Streams (Dedicated areas for pond dipping and wildlife spotting).
Beyond the Main Attraction: Just 2 miles away is the historic market town of Romsey, featuring the ancient Romsey Abbey and the King John's House & Heritage Centre.
8.76 miles
