Experience the Beauty of Autumn at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens 2024

This autumn at the 240-acre Grade I listed estate at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens there is a visual feast of seasonal colour.

The gardens contain a remarkable collection of rare trees from across the globe. Japanese maples display fiery red leaves in the autumn. Birches, liquidambars and rowans turn warm shades of yellow and orange. Swamp cypress and dawn redwood contribute earthy hues. The Champion Tree walk features some of England's tallest tree specimens.

In the herbaceous borders, dahlias, asters, sedums and salvias bloom into autumn. Dahlia Walk boasts an array of vibrant colours, while berry-laden shrubs like cotoneaster attract foraging birds including redwings, fieldfares and siskins.

Trails allow close appreciation of the gardens; reflections of fall foliage shimmer in the lakes, while the rock garden features moss-covered caverns, cascades and grottos.

Leonardslee offers multi-sensory autumn experiences - the crunch of leaves, seasonal fragrances, birdsong and misty views appeal to all the senses. The Tree Trail identifies specimens from around the world, with evergreen shrubs and decorative seed heads providing special textural interest.

The autumn gardens offer a peaceful escape into nature's seasonal transformations. Visitors can meander through blazing autumn colours and appreciate the ephemeral beauty and the accessible paths make exploration easy for all.

Don't miss Leonardslee's autumn highlights:

- Vibrant autumn foliage set against the tranquil lakes 

- Rare specimen trees and dazzling perennials 

- Foraging birds feasting on berry-laden shrubs  

- The magical rock garden and pinetum 

- Invigorating woodland walks through winding paths 

- Warming food and drink in the scenic cafe

Come and experience the remarkable autumn transformation of these cherished Sussex gardens, home to some of England's tallest trees and most vivid autumn colours.

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens has implemented several sustainability measures to preserve its natural environment and promote environmental stewardship. Some of these measures include: 

1. Conservation and biodiversity: Leonardslee is home to a wide range of wildlife, including several endangered species. The estate focuses on preserving the unique flora and fauna by maintaining the natural habitat and supporting conservation efforts. 
2. Sustainable practices: The restoration of Leonardslee Gardens and the work by our dedicated team of gardeners, to ensure sustainability. 

To fully experience the offerings at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens during autumn, visitors can also enjoy a variety of events and activities. These provide an engaging and memorable experience for visitors, making the gardens an ideal destination for families, nature enthusiasts, and photographers alike. 

Events and Activities

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens offers events and activities during the autumn season.

There is also a range of hospitality and shopping attractions, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable Sussex day out for all. 

Restaurant Interlude 

Restaurant Interlude is a Michelin-starred restaurant located within the estate, offering a unique dining experience inspired by the Grade I listed woodland gardens. The tasting menu features ingredients foraged or grown on the 240-acre estate, as well as produce sourced from carefully selected local farms. Guests can enjoy a luxurious dining experience with views across the expansive gardens and the South Downs. 

Luxury Accommodation

Leonardslee House, a historic 19th-century Italianate style house, offers luxury accommodation with ten charming bedrooms, each individually designed and featuring quintessentially British interiors. Guests have panoramic views of the gardens and lakes, as well as various packages available that include dinner at Restaurant Interlude, breakfast, and afternoon tea. 

Clocktower Kitchen

The Clocktower Kitchen, located at the top of the gardens near Leonardslee House, offers a wide range of self-service refreshments, including hot and cold beverages, light lunches, cakes, and pastries. The café is open during garden opening times and provides a relaxing spot for visitors to enjoy refreshments while taking in the beautiful surroundings. 

Gift Shop and Plant Centre

The Leonardslee Gardens shop offers a variety of products, such as wine gift sets, travel and picnic accessories, and Leonardslee-branded items, from tea towels and teapots to wallaby coasters. Visitors can also find a selection of plants and gardening accessories at the plant centre, allowing them to bring a piece of Leonardslee’s beauty home with them.

Membership from just £60 a year. The estate is open every day except Christmas Day. 

Open daily: Peak (31 March - 27 October) 9am - 5pm. Off Peak (29 October - 30 March)

www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk 

Ends

Editors notes

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens is a family-owned vineyard estate, near Horsham in West Sussex, which 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.

The estate features outstanding displays all year round. In the spring this includes rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and bluebells. The collection is exceptional in its diversity and maturity, with several rare ‘champion’ trees, threatened in their natural habitat.

The gardens offer a protected ecosystem for rare wildlife such as Emperor Dragonflies and Damselflies, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak butterflies and migratory and native birds - Kites, Great Tits, Tree Creepers, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers and Nightingales.

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 garden restoration project in the United Kingdom since Heligan 30 years before.

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 Michelin Star multi-course tasting menu created by chef Jean Delport.

The estate offers a great family day out and is one of the top places to visit in West Sussex. Visitors can view a magical world in miniature at the Beyond the Doll's House exhibition, which depicts the Edwardian estate and neighbouring villages at 1:12 scale. There is also an exciting new 2,500 sq m play park designed to mix recreational play with the natural attractions of the Grade I Listed woodland gardens, and a spectacular winter festival annually when the gardens are illuminated, attracting many thousands of visitors.

For great days out, there is an extensive programme of entertainment that includes winter garden illuminations and light trails, 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.

Leonardslee Family Vineyards in numbers

· Acquired 2017 · Total Estate 750 acres · 38 Acres of vineyard, 73,000 vines

· 2017 First vines planted · 170 Tonnes of grapes, 2023 harvest · 100,000 bottles annually produced · Sparkling wine cultivars 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier · 2024 First release of wine