Mermaid Gin Summer Party- Southampton HarBAR on 6th

 

M E R M A I D   G I N

Harbour on 6th, Southampton

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A Splash of Summer with Mermaid Gin at HarBAR on 6th



We had the absolute pleasure of attending a fabulous Mermaid Gin Summer Party at the stylish HarBAR on 6th, located at the stunning Southampton Harbour Hotel. It was the perfect way to kick off the summer season in style – sun, sea views, and sensational cocktails!





The event showcased Mermaid Gin’s spectacular new summer cocktail menu, filled with bright, refreshing flavours that truly capture the spirit of summer. Think zesty citrus notes, subtle botanicals, and beautifully balanced mixers that make each drink as photogenic as it is delicious. πŸ‹πŸŠ✨







Adding to the summer charm, HarBAR on 6th has unveiled a brand-new Mermaid Gin foliage installation – a lush, vibrant display that transforms the space into a citrus oasis. It's the perfect backdrop for a chilled drink with friends or a golden hour selfie.





The atmosphere was buzzing, the cocktails were flowing, and the views over the marina were as gorgeous as ever. Whether you're a gin lover or simply looking for a summer spot with a great vibe, this is the place to be.





Have you seen the new setup yet? If not, I highly recommend heading down to HarBAR on 6th and enjoying your first sip of summer. Trust me – it's the kind of experience you'll want to come back to again and again. 🧜‍♀️🍸🌿



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Exbury Gardens- Beaulieu

E X B U R Y   G A R D E N S

Beaulieu, UK

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A Rainy Day Adventure at the Stunning Exbury Gardens


{AD} A Family Day Out in the Heart of the New Forest


We had the absolute pleasure of visiting the breathtaking Exbury Gardens, a true hidden gem tucked away in the heart of the New Forest, near Beaulieu. Despite the rain (and yes, there was a lot of it!), it turned out to be a magical day full of colour, exploration, and memory-making.


For those unfamiliar, Exbury Gardens is part of a historic estate purchased by Lionel de Rothschild in 1919. Over the decades, this visionary horticulturist transformed the land into a world-renowned garden, and walking through it today feels like stepping into a living, blooming piece of history.







Wandering Among Giants: Rhododendrons in Full Bloom


We began our adventure with a gentle stroll through the gardens, where towering rhododendrons burst into vibrant bloom all around us. The colours were nothing short of breathtaking—rich purples, fiery reds, glowing pinks and snowy whites seemed to glow against the moody skies.


Even as the skies opened and the rain poured, we simply popped our hoods up and kept going. There was something oddly calming about the rain tapping on leaves as we wandered through winding trails surrounded by nature’s springtime display. The kids thought it was brilliant—puddle jumping, leaf-spotting and all. It really was the perfect way to unwind and feel connected to the outdoors.








All Aboard the Exbury Steam Railway


Next up was something the kids had been looking forward to all morning: the Exbury Steam Railway. And let’s just say, it didn’t disappoint—Cass was beyond excited!


This charming miniature steam train winds its way through some of the gardens’ most scenic spots, including the rock garden, the peaceful dragonfly pond (my personal favourite), and a magical tunnel. The ride takes about 20 minutes and is a wonderfully relaxed way to see the gardens from a different perspective. There are even quirky little statues and sculptures hidden along the route for kids to spot—turning it into a bit of a treasure hunt.


Fun fact: during Halloween and Christmas, the train transforms into a spooky ghost train and a festive holiday ride—a definite must-do if you’re visiting later in the year!









Celebrating 60 Years of the Azalea Bowl


This year, Exbury Gardens is celebrating the diamond anniversary of their famous Azalea Bowl, planted an impressive 60 years ago. It’s currently in its full, dazzling glory—rolling hills of red, magenta, coral, and blush pink, shimmering with raindrops. If anything, the constant spring showers seem to have enhanced the colours even more.


We took part in one of their Azalea-themed guided tours, which offered a deeper understanding of the plants, their origins, and the design of this iconic part of the garden. It’s well worth joining if you’re interested in the history or just want to slow down and take it all in.





Exploring Witcher’s Wood & a Well-Earned Treat


From there, we wandered through Witcher’s Wood, a woodland wonderland filled with ornamental trees and—you guessed it—even more jaw-dropping rhododendrons. These ones have matured over the years into towering giants, with blossoms cascading above like colourful umbrellas.


After all that exploring, it was time for a little refreshment. Nestled in what used to be the estate’s old tennis courts is a cosy little coffee shop, where we treated ourselves to hot drinks and ice cream. A sweet little break before the next round of adventures!



Family Fun at the Play Area & Log Trail


No family day out is complete without a play park, and Exbury absolutely delivers. The children loved the playground, and just nearby is a woodland log trail where they could climb, balance, and explore freely. Honestly, I think they could have stayed here all day—it was a massive hit.


From Witcher’s Wood, we followed the lovely Lovers Lane path, which winds through scenic woodland and eventually opens up to spectacular views of the Beaulieu River. Even in the rain, the views were stunning—peaceful, wide open, and picture-perfect.






Final Thoughts: A Must-Visit All Year Round


Rain or shine, Exbury Gardens is a truly magical place. With its rich horticultural history, seasonal floral displays, family-friendly activities, and peaceful walking trails, it’s somewhere I’d wholeheartedly recommend for anyone—whether you’re a plant enthusiast, a family with little adventurers, or just looking for a tranquil day out.


We’re already planning our return trip—hopefully under sunnier skies—but honestly, there’s something beautifully wild about visiting during spring showers. It adds an extra layer of atmosphere, and the gardens still shine.






Plan Your Visit:

Check out seasonal highlights, train schedules, and guided tours at exbury.co.uk

Tag your visit with #exburygardens to share your own adventures!

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The Nici- Bournemouth

 

T H E   N I C I

Bournemouth, UK

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Come with me to the most beautiful seaside hotel & restaurant in Bournemouth- @thenicibournemouth to experience their new A La Carte three-course menu recently launched by their new Executive Chef Dominic South, and new Head Chef Ian Gibbs. 







Having recently been refurbished, @thenicibournemouth have created an ultra luxurious, fun yet elegant, Miami vibe hotel, restaurant & spa. 






On arrival we got to taste their fabulous signature rum cocktails, served in these gorgeously funky pineapples while sat in the jazzy bar area. Then we were taken through to the South Beach Bar & Restaurant ready to try their new A La Carte three-course menu. 






I went for the prawn cocktail to start- honestly the best I have EVER had! 

Followed by the freshest and tastiest sea bream with spinach & chunky chips.

Ending with a delicious panna cotta.

All served with their divine house rosΓ©.







The service, food & drink, venue, decor, location, everything was wonderful from start to finish and I will definitely be returning! Highly recommend a visit, either a lunch, overnight stay, or evening dinner and drinks! 






Alexis x

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Stanwell House- Lymington

 

S T A N W E L L   H O U S E

Lymington, UK

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S T A N W E L L  H O U S E






I had the most wonderful evening Stanwell House Hotel for cocktail making & some delicious food. 








We started off by witnessing some amazing cocktails being made (including my favourite- espresso martini 🍸) in the cosy Salt bar by their mixologist, and then we were taken through to the Samphire restaurant (which has the most beautiful wallpaper print) for some delicious dinner. I went for chicken satay to start (sooo good) and mussels & fries as my main. The mussels were amazing, huge and so fresh, I highly, highly recommend! I unfortunately couldn’t fit in a pudding (but they looked divine) so I had a firm fave- a cappuccino ☕️ which as a big coffee lover I can say was one of the best coffees ever. 










This beautiful hotel has recently been refurbished, creating a relaxed, yet luxury boutique vibe, with a warm & inviting ambiance. They also have some gorgeous hotel rooms if you wanted a stay in a beautiful part of the world right next to the sea in Lymington, where you can walk along the water and see all the pretty little boats or browse in the great selection of shops all along the cobbled high street. I will definitely be planning a stay I hope next year with the husband as it’s such a wonderful place to visit!







Stanwell House is situated on the picturesque Lymington high street, with parking right out the front which makes it very easy to get to. The staff are all so friendly & the service was excellent.





Such a lovely evening with fabulous friends new & old.



Alexis x

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