The de Rothschild Family
Lionel de Rothschild purchased the Exbury estate in 1919 and immediately began the headlong pursuit of horticultural excellence and experimentation.
About the de Rothschilds
Founded by Mayer Amschel, a coin dealer in the ghetto of Frankfurt, the present dynasty of the Rothschild family, started by his five sons, spread throughout Europe in the 1800s.
The name Rothschild derives from the German for “red shield” and was first adopted as a family surname in the late 1600s. The family’s coat of arms of five arrows, representing the five brothers, was granted in 1822 by the Austro-Hungarian Emperor with its motto “Concordia, Industria, Integritas,” which means Harmony, Industriousness, Integrity, a slogan that has held it in good stead ever since.
Lionel de Rothschild had been very interested in horticulture from an early age. In 1919 he started to build Exbury Gardens: the result was to be one of the most ambitious enterprises of its kind to take place in the last century – the creation of a private woodland garden covering 250 acres. In the years before his death in 1942, he assembled a celebrated collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and other shrubs and trees.
The work Lionel started was continued, first by his sons, Edmund (Mr Eddy) and Leopold (Mr Leo), and nowadays by Eddy’s four children, his son-in-law and a grandchild – all of whom have inherited the family passion for gardens and their management.
About Exbury —
The de Rothschilds at Exbury
The eldest of the current generation involved in caring for the Gardens – all Edmund’s children – is Kate, an art historian, who has devoted much of her life to the museum sector having been chair of the Patrons of the British Museum and currently a trustee of the Wallace Collection.
Next comes Nicholas an author and documentary maker. He takes a particular interest in Exbury’s collection of Nerines – perhaps the world’s largest – and is President of the Nerine and Amaryllid Society.
Charlotte is an internationally renowned lyric soprano, specialising in the Art of Song which she performs in 23 languages. Her extensive recordings include 4 CDs of Japanese kakyoku, Charlotte being the first foreigner to have promoted this beautiful music more details of which can be found here www.charlottederothschild.com.
Lionel, a noted horticulturalist, is author of The Eighth Wonder of the World, the definitive history of the garden his grandfather (and namesake) created. He is chairman of the Exbury Gardens Trust, the endowment fund which supports the Gardens.
Kate’s husband, Marcus Agius, is chairman of Exbury Gardens Limited, the charity which manages the Gardens. He is a former Chairman of the Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Finally, Marie-Louise Agius is a successful landscape gardener and a Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner. She designed the Centenary Garden.
Explore Exbury —
Something for everyone
Gardens
There is always something new to see at Exbury. In spring, our world-famous collection of rhododendrons and azaleas sets us apart from other gardens.
Café & restaurant
Mr Eddy’s Restaurant, the Old Tennis Courts outdoor café, the Potting Shed*, Rhodo Pizza* and Charlotte’s Little Ice Cream Kitchen* are managed by award-winning local caterers The Little Kitchen Company.
Events & activities
We will be hosting a varied programme of events throughout the season, including school holiday workshops, family games and trails, creative workshops for adults, and theatre and music events.