Christmas Fair at Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway
28 November – 6 December 2026
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, Exbury, Hampshire(SO45 1AZ)
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, on the Beaulieu River in Hampshire's New Forest, holds its traditional Christmas Fair, spread over two winter weekends as part of Christmas at Exbury, and the fair is a fundraising event for Exbury Gardens Ltd, a registered charity. Stalls of local producers change from one weekend to the next, alongside festive food and drink. Inside the Railway Engine Shed, visitors can pen a note to Santa, craft paper chains and leave a wish hanging on the tree, while a family Christmas trail runs through the Rock Garden and donkeys are visiting for the occasion. Father Christmas and the elves' Festive Express train ride cost extra. A ticket includes the estate's 200 acres of woodland garden, parking is free and dogs on a short lead are welcome.
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What to expect
Date & times
28 November – 6 December 2026
Getting there
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, Exbury, Hampshire (SO45 1AZ for sat nav)
Dogs
Dogs welcome on a lead
Accessibility
Available: Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking. Not confirmed: Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible viewing areas.
Stalls
Stall list coming soon
Live schedule
Full timetable available when market goes live
Interactive map
Site map with GPS location available when market goes live
Live announcements
Real-time updates available when market goes live
Dogs at this market
Dogs are welcome at this market, on a lead.
Notes
Dogs are very welcome at Exbury, and the estate asks that they are kept on a short lead. In Mr Eddy's restaurant, well-behaved dogs may sit in the left-hand section only, on a lead at all times. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on the steam railway. There are water bowls at the Visitor Entrance, the Steam Railway, Mr Eddy's Restaurant and the Old Tennis Courts Outdoor Cafe.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas by law.
Accessibility
Confirmed:
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Not confirmed:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Step-free access
- Accessible viewing areas
Notes
Wheelchairs with pneumatic tyres can be borrowed free from the Visitor Entrance, and three mobility scooters can be hired for £5 a session (advance booking advised). The main route is a wide tarmac driveway; secondary paths are compacted gravel, better suited to pneumatic tyres. Blue badge bays are at the front of the main car park nearest the Visitor Entrance. Accessible toilets are at the Visitor Entrance, Exbury Central Station and the Herbaceous Garden. Carers go free. The steam railway has carriages adapted for wheelchair users and their companions.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Christmas Fair at Exbury in 2026?
It runs over two weekends: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November, and Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026.
What are the opening times?
10am to 4.30pm on each of the four days.
Where is the Christmas Fair?
At Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, Exbury, Hampshire SO45 1AZ. The estate says it is about 20 minutes from the M27: junctions 2 and 3 lead to the A326, and brown and white tourist signs guide you from the Heath roundabout, the entrance to the New Forest.
What is there to see and do?
Local producers have stalls, with festive food and drink too, and the stalls are different each weekend. Inside the Railway Engine Shed, visitors can pen a note to Santa, craft paper chains and leave a wish hanging on the tree. There is also a Family Christmas Trail in the Rock Garden and there are visiting donkeys. Your ticket also includes the gardens.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. Exbury says dogs are very welcome in the gardens, on a short lead. In Mr Eddy's restaurant, well-behaved dogs may sit in the left-hand section only, on a lead at all times. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are also welcome on the steam railway. There are water bowls at the Visitor Entrance, the Steam Railway, Mr Eddy's Restaurant and the Old Tennis Courts Outdoor Cafe.
What access is there for wheelchair users and others who need help getting around?
Wheelchairs with pneumatic tyres can be borrowed free from the Visitor Entrance, and three mobility scooters can be hired for £5 a session (the estate advises booking ahead). The main route is a wide tarmac driveway; secondary paths are compacted gravel, better suited to pneumatic tyres. There are blue badge bays at the front of the main car park nearest the Visitor Entrance, and accessible toilets at the Visitor Entrance, Exbury Central Station and the Herbaceous Garden. Carers go free.
What food and drink is there at the Christmas Fair at Exbury?
The fair has festive food and drink alongside the stalls of local producers.
How much are tickets for the Christmas Fair at Exbury?
In 2026 an adult ticket to the Christmas Fair and gardens is £7 (£7.50 with gift aid). Children under 16, Friends of Exbury and carers go free.
Can I buy tickets on the day for the Christmas Fair at Exbury?
You can pre-book tickets or pay on arrival.
Is there parking at Exbury Gardens?
Parking is free in the estate's very large car and coach park.
Can I get to Exbury Gardens by train?
The nearest railway station is Brockenhurst, approximately 10 miles from Exbury, and a taxi from the station is one way to reach the gardens.
Can I meet Father Christmas at the Christmas Fair at Exbury?
Meeting Father Christmas is not included in the Christmas Fair admission ticket and needs a separate booking.
Is the Festive Express train ride included in the Exbury Christmas Fair ticket?
No. The Festive Express train ride is not included in the Christmas Fair admission ticket and needs a separate booking.
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