Top Things to do in Minstead
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What to do and see in Minstead, England: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Minstead, United Kingdom including Grave of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Acres Down Farm Shop, Furzey Gardens, All Saints Church, Rufus Stone.
1. Grave of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Waltho007 - Gosport, United Kingdom
All Saint's is a delightful country church that is the resting place of Sir Arthur and his second wife.
2. Acres Down Farm Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
The farm shop stocks a wide range of fresh farm foods, including: Home Reared, Beef, Pork & Lamb, Speciality Sausages and Burgers, Free Range Eggs, Freshly Baked Bread, Vegetables & Fruit
3. Furzey Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 449 reviews
Located in Minstead, Hampshire, in the heart of New Forest yet just off the end of the M27, this informal 10 acre woodland garden contains an extensive collection of rare and beautiful plants from around the world. In the spring, banks of Azaleas and Rhododendrons dazzle with colour, secret paths lead through drifts of primulas and bulbs to quiet glades, while viewing areas provide outlooks over the New Forest. Flowering shrubs and trees continue the interest through the summer with a blaze of autumn colour at the end of the year.In the water garden flowering and foliage plants thrive both in and out of the lake, enhanced by a collection of conifers.Our award winning Chelsea Garden has been wonderfully recreated overlooking the lake after winning GOLD at RHS Chelsea in 2012.The waterfall leads into our reinstated water meadow.The gardens are wonderful for children. The shady play area has play houses, swing and even a "dry docked" play boat. There are plenty of places to picnic and play hide and seek. The gardens also hold a secret, there are over 30 tiny fairy doors hidden throughout the garden. Our wildflower meadow and cottage garden are great for spotting wildlife and you can take a step back in time when you enter our historic Furzey cottage. Delicious locally made cakes and sandwiches are available in the Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop, which has plenty of seating inside, comfortable sofas upstairs and a pretty outside terrace overlooking the gardens. Browse the Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop which showcases and sells a variety of local art, crafts and gifts including work undertaken by the students from the Minstead Training Trust. Those visitors who like to go home with a souvenir of the leafy variety will enjoy looking around our plant sales area where plants are very competitively priced. The Gardens are open all year round, and the Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop is open from the beginning of March to the end of October 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm (last orders at 4.15pm). The Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop is free to enter and browse and enjoy a coffee, cake or light refreshment. Entry to the Gardens is by a set minimum donation, please pay in the Gallery Gift and Coffee Shop. When the Gallery Gift and Coffee shop is closed please place donations in the box provided. The entry donation goes towards the upkeep of the gardens and to the work of the Charity in providing opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.
Reviewed By SHOWERTESTER - Brighton, United Kingdom
What fabulous gardens, interesting and exciting for all ages. We were very fortunate to be staying at Furzey House, which is in the grounds of Furzey Gardens, with all the family ranging from 2 years to 68 years of age. I’m not sure who loved the gardens most of all; the children or the adults. The fairy houses and doors are so beautifully crafted and imaginatively hidden around the gardens that we were still finding more fairy abodes after several days of hunting. As we walked around the winding paths we were never sure what we were going to see next, a lake, a wild meadow, beautiful trees and shrubs, then a few blackberry bushes, conkers beginning to fall, and of course the play area all constructed from wood with tunnels, walk ways, swings, houses and even a boat. Lots to keep children occupied and use their imagination, places to run and hide. All the staff many of whom are volunteers were all so friendly and helpful, the cafe sold delicious cakes and scones and there was a variety of plants for sale. Would thoroughly recommend a visit.
4. All Saints Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By DumDumBoy - London, United Kingdom
I'm going to be honest, the only reason we visited was to see Arthur Conan-Doyle's resting place (thanks to D making me watch the short film at the New Forest information centre in Lyndhurst - I didn't know we were so close, staying in Lymington!). I LOVE Sherlock Holmes. So the five stars are purely for the AC-D aspect! As an atheist and agnostic, I can only really reflect on our reason for visiting, so...Minstead was a lovely little village and the church was a sweet little building. Arthur's tombstone is at the back under a large tree and on our visit the historic pipe was in place! This was a special moment for me (I have a Holmes script with the BBC, so standing in front of his resting place certainly raised the hairs on my arms). If you're a lover Sherlock and are in the New Forest, I'd say it's worth a visit of course!
5. Rufus Stone
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By bluenose43 - Frome, United Kingdom
I had not visited this historic site for many years. However at the end of a hot day we stopped here for a picnic and to take in the last few hours of sunshine. I photographed the place where King William the second (nicknamed Rufus) was shot accidentally by Sir Walter Tyrrell. Lovely part of the New Forest.
