Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens is considered to be 'The Finest Woodland Gardens in England'. First planted in 1801, the Grade I Listed gardens on the 240-acre Estate, featuring outstanding scenery and wildlife throughout the year. The gardens are particularly majestic as they bloom in spring, or take on the colours of autumn.
Where is Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens located?
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens is located in the heart of West Sussex, in Lower Beeding, near Horsham. The name Leonardslee derives from the lea or valley of St Leonard's Forest, one of the ancient forests of the High Weald.
What style of garden is Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens?
Leonardslee House & Gardens was built in 1801 with breathtaking views of the English countryside. Leonardslee has seven lakes and a unique combination of woodland forest, rock garden and parkland, with a rare colony of wallabies and a number of deer species that roam free throughout the estate.
What can guests enjoy at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens?
For an ideal outing, you can also visit the famous Rock Garden, Doll's House Museum and see the rare colony of wallabies and catch the deer roaming free. Visitors can also explore England's first Pinotage vineyard and enjoy fantastic wine tasting experiences. And after that appreciate dining in style at Michelin star Restaurant Interlude or at Afternoon Tea in the Grade II listed mansion, or appreciate more informal refreshments at other locations on the estate.
Wine Tasting Experiences
Enjoy fun wine tasting experiences with award-winning vintages from sister estate, Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate in South Africa. These wines can be sampled seven days a week.
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Leonardslee Wallabies
The colony of free-roaming Bennett Wallabies are descendants of the original herd brought here by Sir Edmund Loder in 1889. You can visit the wallaby enclosure which is specifically for breeding pairs & this year there are two albino joeys & two brown joeys.
From 12:00 -12:30 daily, you can visit the wallaby enclosure to see the feeding of the wallabies and baby joeys.
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Dolls’ House Museum
This extensive collection depicts the Edwardian estate and neighbouring villages at 1:12 scale, with landscapes and characters acting out day-to-day activities. Exquisite in detail and accuracy, a six-foot-tall person is recreated as six inches in height.
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Afternoon Tea at Leonardslee House
Brought to you by Michelin star Chef Jean Delport and his team, Afternoon Tea at Leonardslee House is without a doubt the most delicious English tradition.
Afternoon tea is set within the drawing-room of the two-storey Italianate mansion which dates back to 1801 and sits on a natural terrace above the steep west side of a valley. Guests are able to view the kaleidoscope of colour with impressive views over the gardens and South Downs.
Include garden entry.
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Other Information
Home to Restaurant Interlude a Michelin Star restaurant. This is an extraordinary achievement as the restaurant has only been open for a year and Executive Chef Jean Delport is one of the youngest winners of the award, aged 31. To experience Restaurant Interlude for yourself, you can book for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday weekly. Bookings are online at www.restaurant-interlude.co.uk