Wartime Walks

During WWII, Exbury House became a “stone frigate”, operating as a land-based ship, HMS Mastodon. As such it formed part of the complex planning network which ultimately resulted in the successful D-Day invasion of France.

In April 1944, shortly before D-Day, a German Junkers 188 bomber was spotted approaching Exbury House before being brought down in the fields below the house by two RAF Typhoons, assisted by the Lower Exbury anti-aircraft battery. This intriguing story is told in the book, The Exbury Junkers: a World War II Mystery by John Stanley. Join the author on a fascinating walk around the gardens and wider estate as John recounts the curious tale of the lone bomber and its unknown mission, and shares his knowledge of the role of Exbury House leading up to D-Day.

Tours start at 11am and 2pm, and will last approximately two hours. Please meet at the Visitor Entrance approximately 10 minutes before your preferred tour is due to depart.

£5 per person for Friends of Exbury members.
£20.00 per person for non-members, including a full day’s admission to the gardens.

You may also like the following events from Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway:

• Next Friday, 13th June, 11:00 am, Seasonal Spotlight tour - Veteran trees in Beaulieu
• Next Saturday, 14th June, 09:00 am, Lino Printing Workshop in Beaulieu
• Next Saturday, 14th June, 10:00 am, Seasonal Spotlight tour - Veteran trees in Beaulieu

Also check out other Arts events in Beaulieu, Literary Art events in Beaulieu.