One of the New Forest’s best kept secrets, the pretty 10-acre Furzey Gardens in the New Forest is an absolute treat of a day out, with beautiful seasonal colours for adults to enjoy and an imagination-sparking adventure of 40 hidden fairy doors for young explorers to find. And there’s also a year-round calendar of events to look out for, from outdoor theatre to seasonal children’s trails and special guided walks.

Open seven days a week, from 10am – 4pm, and conveniently close to the M27, Furzey Gardens is a riot of colour year-round. There’s plenty to explore, from the wildflower meadow to the lake, the rare and unusual plants and the rustic play area (tucked away behind a giant fairy door). Keen gardeners can also buy a range of plants to take home from well-stocked stands, including small annuals, established perennials and shrubs.

Very quintessential (and worthy of a souvenir snap) the thatched tea rooms serve up everything from fresh coffees to sandwiches, cake and a full cream tea. The shop here sells handmade crafts made by local artists and people with learning disabilities, supported by the Minstead Trust, including bird boxes, hedgehog houses, needlefelt crafts and fairy furniture.

As well as having a grand day out, visits to Furzey Gardens support the local charity Minstead Trust, which provides training and work experience for people with learning disabilities as they help to tend the gardens and learn new skills in horticulture and hospitality.

Getting hitched? Have a dreamy, intimate summer wedding here between May and September.