Leonardslee Illuminated Spectacular 2022
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Visitors this winter to Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, in Horsham, West Sussex, can experience the gardens awash with colour and sound on the Illuminated after-dark light trail. Leonardslee Illuminated is open from 4:15pm until late for five weeks - November 24th to 27th, November 30th to December 4th, and then 7th to 21st. Link to Illuminated booking page
With the event in its fourth year, the historic 240-acre Grade I Listed estate will transport visitors into a magical world as the gardens are transformed with illuminations, large-scale installations and atmospheric soundscapes. Guests are welcomed with a Victorian funfair, a small Christmas market, a selection of seasonal food and drink and other entertainment before entering the mile long trail.
A limited number of free tickets for selected dates are available on application to anyone with an annual membership of the gardens or who joins before the event, offering a saving of £18 for an adult ticket to Illuminated.
“Visitors can explore the lit trails and walk down through the valley, decked with fairy lights and lanterns, giant flowers and mythical animals. There will be displays of massive stars and planets suspended over the seven lakes, reflecting the sparkling lights and the towering lakeside trees," says Adam Streeter, general manager.
“There are fairground attractions, mulled wine and other seasonal food and drink to enjoy either before or after the trail, which is extended this year, now to around 60 to 90 minutes long. There is a Christmas market with arts and crafts and other gifts for sale, and our shops will be open, with wines from the vineyards at Benguela Cove in South Africa”.
He believes that the illuminations and other events are vital to preserving the estate, helping to fund the major programme of work needed to preserve the woodland gardens, which were originally created by the great Victorian plant collector, Sir Edmund Loder.
In April 2019, Penny Streeter OBE, an entrepreneur with a passion for conservation, reopened the gardens to the public after two years of intensive restoration in one of the largest garden projects in the UK for over 30 years. This followed seven years of closure and deterioration under previous ownership.
The estate is now a protected ecosystem for fauna and flora that are threatened elsewhere in the UK and beyond. There are several rare ‘champion’ trees. Wildlife includes Emperor Dragonflies and Damselflies, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak butterflies and migratory and native birds - Kites, Great Tits, Tree Creepers, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers and Nightingales.
“At just £5 per month, annual membership of the gardens offers great value, with wonderful walks and year-round entertainment. This is especially so now, with a complimentary ticket to one of our premium events - Leonardslee Illuminated this winter and then Enchanted in the spring of 2023,” says Adam Streeter.
Tickets for Leonardslee Illuminated: adults from £18, Under 16 £10.
Annual Leonardslee Membership: from £60
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Editors notes
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens is a vineyard estate, near Horsham in West Sussex, features ‘the finest woodland gardens in England’, Grade I Listed, as well as a Michelin Star restaurant and luxury vineyard accommodation. The 240 acre estate was established by Sir Edmund Loder, the great Victorian plant collector and now includes a Sussex Wine vineyard, with the first release of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier sparkling wine in 2024.
Since further restoration work in 2021, visitors can also stay in the luxury vineyard hotel after dining at Restaurant Interlude in Leonardslee House, the Grade II Listed Italianate mansion house. to experience the multi-course tasting menu created by Michelin Star chef Jean Delport.
The estate reopened in April 2019, following acquisition and two years’ intensive work by entrepreneur Penny Streeter OBE, to restore the woodland gardens after eight years of closure and neglect under previous ownership. It was the largest UK garden restoration project since Heligan some 30 years before.
Visitors can see a unique dolls house exhibition that depicts the Edwardian era estate and neighbouring villages at 1:12 scale. They can then enjoy a classic afternoon tea in the Grade II Listed mansion house and dine in Restaurant Interlude, which offers a Michelin Star, multi-course tasting menu under chef Jean Delport.
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens offers a great family day out and is open all year round except Christmas Day. There is an extensive programme of entertainment that includes winter garden illuminations, wine and beer festivals, photo and art exhibitions, live music events, cooking and gardening demonstrations, arts and crafts fairs, modelling and toy shows, and children’s events and adventure trails.
