Sir Harold Hillier Arboretum And Gardens

The holidays are more fun when you are outside! Have you done our family trail yet? Had a look in our dipping ponds? Counted the primroses? https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilli ergardens/whatson

Enjoy a great day following the Easter bunny's trail of clues and fun around the Gardens!

Have you spotted your first bluebell? And don't forget to come and spot activities for children this holiday, too! https://www.hants.gov.uk/…/ev…/hillie r-gardens-easter-family https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilli ergardens/…/events…

We have opened additional sessions on our popular Archaeology and Bushcraft days! https://www.hants.gov.uk/…/hillier-gard ens-family-archaeolo… https://www.hants.gov.uk/…/hillier-gard ens-family-bushcraft…

Are you a Member of the Gardens? Are you receiving your FREE Members E-newsletter? Full of information, events, tips and more!! Available to Members ONLY
... If you are not receiving yours, call us on 01794 369316 or speak to visitor services when you are next in and they can update your records. Wouldn't want you missing out!!
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Happy Mothers Day to all you amazing Mums.
Enjoy these flowers, from us ❤️

This year the Magnolias are looking stunning !
This mothers day weekend, why not bring Mum for a walk to see them (and the rest of the Gardens) as they display their beauty and incredible scents before they are gone for another year.
Open 10am- 5pm this weekend

Where will your next OUTDOOR ADVENTURE be? These classes are WONDERFUL! So pleased to have The Outdoor Learning Company back this season.

Did you know, we have around 160 (yes 160) Volunteers here at the Gardens. Without them we could not keep the Gardens running and looking the way they do. They are amazing and incredible people who help out in all areas (not just gardening) in fact, if you are a member, you will most probably be met and given your entry sticker by a volunteer. We want to say thank you to all our Volunteers ... We ❤️ you all.
Here is an interesting article about volunteers here at Sir Haro...ld Hillier Gardens https://www.hants.gov.uk/…/yhmar19bloom ingbrilliantvoluntee…
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Spring has truly sprung at the Gardens, with magnolias peeking through fuzzy buds and daffodils looking glorious. Come this weekend and remember to mark your calendars for our children's Easter Trail starting on the 30th March, too!

Here's a snapshot of our Spring Walk display of Camellias. Now out in full bloom!

https://m.facebook.com/events/19082799156 0548?view=permalink&id=3322518207514 97
Get your tickets now https://www.hants.gov.uk/shop/product.php ?productid=52160

Look for us at the Science and Engineering Day at the Univeristy of Southampton http://www.sotsef.co.uk/ We'll be in the Teacher Zone -- with our microscopes!

Look at our beautiful carpet of crocuses! Simply stunning.

Doesn't this lovely weather make you want to sit in a stunning 180 acre Garden, eating your picnic whilst enjoying some fantastic comedy ?!
Make sure you get your tickets soon for Giggles in the Gardens - Tickets are selling fast so dont miss out
https://www.hants.gov.uk/shop/product.php …

Whatever the time of year, Hilliers never fails to look beautiful. I escape here with the children to relax from the craziness of life. They explore, I follow and we're happy. If you are in two minds about going make the decision to visit. You won't be disappointed.

We visited yesterday for the first time.

We had a fabulous day. The gardens were beautiful and the whole site was a lot bigger than we had thought.

The children, 4 and 6, enjoyed exploring with lots of different areas such as the treehouse, the pigs and the sculpture trail.

The cafe served a good range of food.



We will be returning for sure.

We love Hillier Gardens and come a few times a year. We were very lucky with the weather this time as it was the first proper spring day of the year. The winter garden was still spectacular but a lot of spring arrivals were also starting to show. The children enjoyed the tree house and the bamboo tunnel and also the camellia flowers they found on the ground and wore as hats. Will certainly be back later in the season!

We had a wonderful day out in this beautiful location. Level access was important to us, since my mother uses a mobility scooter - and we didn't encounter any problems. The gardens are beautifully maintained, the cafe and restaurant very reasonably priced and even on a busy bank holiday it didn't feel crowded. Heartily recommended.

We always enjoy coming here with our Grandson and the Easter bunny trail is always fun to do. It takes in a lot of the gardens so you can explore every corner. The gardens are always immaculate and we love to see the birds they attract.

Today we came to do the Flower Fairies � trail. It was great fun and the place was lovely. I look forward to coming again.

The perfect place for a stroll any time of year. Wonderful plants, trees and open spaces. Beautifully planted with so much of interest. Lots for children and adults to enjoy. Stunning views and lots of birdlife too. Don’t forget the restaurants also- excellent food. Often an exhibition too of local artists and craftspeople the best place to spend your time!

Such a beautiful place to visit. The colours at Hillier’s are lovely at this time of year. We visited for an Autumn photoshoot for my little one and really couldn’t have picked a better place or day as the weather was perfect. So much to see and a lovely shop and restaurant for yummy treats after all of the exploring! Would definitely recommend x

My youngest two children have been before on a school trip, and it was their suggestion to make a visit yesterday. I'm so glad they did! I've never been before and loved it! The gardens are simply beautiful, and there is so much to see. The children loved playing in the tree house, and I had a lovely pot of tea in Jermyn House garden as they played hide and seek! Wonderful value for money...we spent about 5 hours at the gardens and still didn't see everything! I particularly loved the sculptures and Centenary Borders. We will definitely be making a return visit before the year is out. A really lovely day, leaving me feel so relaxed!

Love the place! Any season, any day, any weather!

Also, I’d like to congratulate you on the use of china cups, in your cafe, and “real” teaspoons, unlike the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew where plastic cups, lids, cutlery etc are used, not only in takeaway outlets, but their indoor cafes as well.

So very well done Sir Harold Hillier Arboretum!!! #saynotoplastic

I've been a member for quite a few years and I love coming here. I try to visit once a month to experience all the seasons, but I also find it a place of solace, calming and tranquil, a place to reflect and to enjoy :)

Hilliers is a perfect place to take the kids. It's an excellent day out for all. There is so much to do. The annual pass is amazing value.

Had a wonderful few hours at the arboretum. Arrived in the fog and left in warm sunshine. Autumn is so magical and Hilliers' didn't let me down. All staff very helpful and they have the best carrot cake too.

Do not arrive late because there is something behind every shrubbery that you could never believe was there, ancient dwarf conifers, swings, tropical trees, bees, amazes, pools, giant fish, forests of giant prickly rhubarb and squeezy through bamboo, tunnels that get smaller and smaller till you have to crawl, and a decent cafe with gluten free and wheaty fodder too.

Despite the rain intervals we had a wonderful day! My three grandchildren 9, 5 and 2 years old throughly enjoyed the freedom to explore, climb and generally run around in what is a safe environment. The pond dipping was truly rewarding, all three were captivated for over an hour and at £1.50 per child, a bargain! It's one of the most affordable activity places to visit during school holidays compared to some others and I genuinely think is great value for money. There is an abundance of things to see, play with, climb over, run through, explore, and even fish to feed! We were there 6 hours! Loved it and if you have youngsters who love the outdoors, this is a must, I highly recommend.

Another fabulous day out at Hilliers. Beautiful weather, picnic, fabulous gardens, art gallery, art in the garden, fun, laughter and pond dipping! Catered for everyone. Kids had a blast! Thank you!

Another amazing visit, last came around Octobe/November when there was still lots of colour from the acers etc. Good to return and see it so different although the winter garden is lovely lots of snowdrops and a wonderful collection of hellebores. The main restaurant didn't seem as busy probably because the house was open for light refreshments. No matter what time of year you go this is a place worthy of a visit even if just for a quick stroll to stretch ones legs. Yearly membership very worthwhile.

Absolutely stunning, my teenage son and I felt so relaxed laying on our picnic rug amongst the magnolias...

Blossom was in abundance and so beautiful.

We also enjoyed exploring the far east section...

I have never seen such a beautifully laid out garden centre with such a variety of healthy plants...a magical experience...

A great day out loads to see and explore even our 5 year old found loads to do, especially the treehouse and swing areas but loved exploring the rest of the gardens too. Well worth a visit we will definitely go again

Whatever the time of year, Hilliers never fails to look beautiful. I escape here with the children to relax from the craziness of life. They explore, I follow and we're happy. If you are in two minds about going make the decision to visit. You won't be disappointed.

We visited yesterday for the first time.

We had a fabulous day. The gardens were beautiful and the whole site was a lot bigger than we had thought.

The children, 4 and 6, enjoyed exploring with lots of different areas such as the treehouse, the pigs and the sculpture trail.

The cafe served a good range of food.



We will be returning for sure.

We love Hillier Gardens and come a few times a year. We were very lucky with the weather this time as it was the first proper spring day of the year. The winter garden was still spectacular but a lot of spring arrivals were also starting to show. The children enjoyed the tree house and the bamboo tunnel and also the camellia flowers they found on the ground and wore as hats. Will certainly be back later in the season!

We had a wonderful day out in this beautiful location. Level access was important to us, since my mother uses a mobility scooter - and we didn't encounter any problems. The gardens are beautifully maintained, the cafe and restaurant very reasonably priced and even on a busy bank holiday it didn't feel crowded. Heartily recommended.

We always enjoy coming here with our Grandson and the Easter bunny trail is always fun to do. It takes in a lot of the gardens so you can explore every corner. The gardens are always immaculate and we love to see the birds they attract.

Today we came to do the Flower Fairies � trail. It was great fun and the place was lovely. I look forward to coming again.

The perfect place for a stroll any time of year. Wonderful plants, trees and open spaces. Beautifully planted with so much of interest. Lots for children and adults to enjoy. Stunning views and lots of birdlife too. Don’t forget the restaurants also- excellent food. Often an exhibition too of local artists and craftspeople the best place to spend your time!

Such a beautiful place to visit. The colours at Hillier’s are lovely at this time of year. We visited for an Autumn photoshoot for my little one and really couldn’t have picked a better place or day as the weather was perfect. So much to see and a lovely shop and restaurant for yummy treats after all of the exploring! Would definitely recommend x

My youngest two children have been before on a school trip, and it was their suggestion to make a visit yesterday. I'm so glad they did! I've never been before and loved it! The gardens are simply beautiful, and there is so much to see. The children loved playing in the tree house, and I had a lovely pot of tea in Jermyn House garden as they played hide and seek! Wonderful value for money...we spent about 5 hours at the gardens and still didn't see everything! I particularly loved the sculptures and Centenary Borders. We will definitely be making a return visit before the year is out. A really lovely day, leaving me feel so relaxed!

Love the place! Any season, any day, any weather!

Also, I’d like to congratulate you on the use of china cups, in your cafe, and “real” teaspoons, unlike the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew where plastic cups, lids, cutlery etc are used, not only in takeaway outlets, but their indoor cafes as well.

So very well done Sir Harold Hillier Arboretum!!! #saynotoplastic

I've been a member for quite a few years and I love coming here. I try to visit once a month to experience all the seasons, but I also find it a place of solace, calming and tranquil, a place to reflect and to enjoy :)

Hilliers is a perfect place to take the kids. It's an excellent day out for all. There is so much to do. The annual pass is amazing value.

Had a wonderful few hours at the arboretum. Arrived in the fog and left in warm sunshine. Autumn is so magical and Hilliers' didn't let me down. All staff very helpful and they have the best carrot cake too.

Do not arrive late because there is something behind every shrubbery that you could never believe was there, ancient dwarf conifers, swings, tropical trees, bees, amazes, pools, giant fish, forests of giant prickly rhubarb and squeezy through bamboo, tunnels that get smaller and smaller till you have to crawl, and a decent cafe with gluten free and wheaty fodder too.

Despite the rain intervals we had a wonderful day! My three grandchildren 9, 5 and 2 years old throughly enjoyed the freedom to explore, climb and generally run around in what is a safe environment. The pond dipping was truly rewarding, all three were captivated for over an hour and at £1.50 per child, a bargain! It's one of the most affordable activity places to visit during school holidays compared to some others and I genuinely think is great value for money. There is an abundance of things to see, play with, climb over, run through, explore, and even fish to feed! We were there 6 hours! Loved it and if you have youngsters who love the outdoors, this is a must, I highly recommend.

Another fabulous day out at Hilliers. Beautiful weather, picnic, fabulous gardens, art gallery, art in the garden, fun, laughter and pond dipping! Catered for everyone. Kids had a blast! Thank you!

Another amazing visit, last came around Octobe/November when there was still lots of colour from the acers etc. Good to return and see it so different although the winter garden is lovely lots of snowdrops and a wonderful collection of hellebores. The main restaurant didn't seem as busy probably because the house was open for light refreshments. No matter what time of year you go this is a place worthy of a visit even if just for a quick stroll to stretch ones legs. Yearly membership very worthwhile.

Absolutely stunning, my teenage son and I felt so relaxed laying on our picnic rug amongst the magnolias...

Blossom was in abundance and so beautiful.

We also enjoyed exploring the far east section...

I have never seen such a beautifully laid out garden centre with such a variety of healthy plants...a magical experience...

A great day out loads to see and explore even our 5 year old found loads to do, especially the treehouse and swing areas but loved exploring the rest of the gardens too. Well worth a visit we will definitely go again