See Furzey through their eyes this autumn

7 September 2026

It might be a favourite corner of the cottage garden, the view across the top lawn, the colours changing along the paths, or the simple pleasure of stopping for coffee and cake in the tearoom after a wander.

This autumn, we’re inviting visitors to see Furzey in a slightly different way.

Nature Through My Eyes is a new outdoor photography exhibition created by supported gardeners at Furzey Gardens, all of whom are people with neuro disabilities supported by Minstead Trust.

The exhibition shares Furzey from their point of view. Through gently guided photography sessions, each person was invited to choose something in the gardens that mattered to them. Some chose flowers they love. Some chose quieter corners. Others captured places where they spend time learning, working, planting and caring for the garden.

Each photograph will be displayed with a short caption from the person who took it, sharing why they chose their image and what that part of Furzey means to them.

For some, it is about colour. For others, it is about calm, pride, routine, friendship or the satisfaction of helping something grow.

That is what makes this exhibition special; it is a chance to see the gardens through the eyes of the people who help bring them to life.

Liam in the Cottage Garden

Furzey has always been more than a place to visit. It is also a place where people build skills, confidence and independence through meaningful work and creative opportunities. Our supported gardeners play an important part in the life of the gardens, from planting and caring for spaces to helping create the welcoming, characterful place so many visitors love.

This project gives them another way to share that contribution.

Photography can be wonderfully simple. It gives someone the chance to pause, choose what matters, frame a moment and tell a story without needing lots of words. For this exhibition, those choices sit at the heart of the experience.

Instructor Chris guiding Katie in the session

We hope visitors will take their time with the photographs, read the captions and then carry that feeling into the gardens. What do you notice when you slow down? Which view catches your eye? Which flower, texture, path or quiet corner would you choose?

Visitors will also be invited to take their own nature-inspired photograph at Furzey and submit it into our visitor photography competition. The winning entry will be chosen by the group who created the exhibition.

So this autumn, come for a gentle wander, enjoy the seasonal colour, stop by the tearoom, and discover a new story on the top lawn.

You may know Furzey already. But this is a chance to see it through someone else’s eyes.

Nature Through My Eyes runs at Furzey Gardens from 12 September to 2 November.

The exhibition has been kindly supported by Hampshire Flag.