Nightingale Open-Air Ballet Comes to Leonardslee

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens is hosting Nightingale, a new ballet production based on the life and works of Florence Nightingale by New Creations Collective, which brought the highly popular The Secret Garden to the estate in 2022. 

The performance is set in the beautiful grounds of the Grade I Listed gardens of Leonardslee at Horsham, West Sussex, on Saturday 15th July, at 6pm. This is an original production, the first professional dance show to explore the life of Florence Nightingale, a complex national hero and female icon. 

The show is a family-friendly, open-air production that takes the audience on a journey into Nightingale's story of struggle and success. Visitors can experience Florence's life from her family home to the battlefield.  

The show features an original score composed by Adam Kornas and stunning, character-driven choreography by Nina Monteiro, performed by an accomplished cast of dancers and musicians. Narrated extracts from Florence's personal diaries bring her story to life through her own words.  

New Creations Collective is a company of artists that blends classical and contemporary art forms to tell timeless, hope-inspiring stories. The collective says it creates versatile productions that can be adapted for a variety of venues, pushing the boundaries of typically theatrical art forms and bringing the show to the people. 

The estate offers a picnic experience with a range of options, including a children's picnic basket, available from the Clocktower Café, and the Leonardslee Afternoon Tea Picnic, which includes homemade finger sandwiches, traditional scones and more.  

The Leonardslee Savoury Picnic features a range of savoury delights and traditional strawberries and cream. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available. 

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens is a Grade I listed estate in West Sussex and features a range of attractions, including the Beyond the Doll's House exhibition, classic afternoon tea in the mansion house, and a variety of entertainment events throughout the year. The estate reopened in April 2019 following two years of intensive restoration. 

Nightingale is suitable for all ages, and visitors are advised to come suitably prepared for the outdoor show, which will go ahead in all weather conditions. The running time is 60-75 minutes.  

Tickets can be purchased on the Leonardslee website. Ticket prices are £18 per adult and £12 per child. Picnics can be booked online, with 24-hours' notice.

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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.

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. They can then enjoy a classic afternoon tea in the mansion house, making for a great family day out. It is one of the top places to visit in Sussex and is open all year round except Christmas Day.

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.

Vineyards –

Leonardslee Estate: Acquired 2018 - 3.1 Acres - 2018 First vines planted - 4,000 Estimated bottles Experimental planting of Pinotage - 2022 First estate Pinotage

Mannings Estate: Acquired 2017 - 34 Acres - 2017 First vines planted - 70,000 Estimated bottles Sparkling wine cultivars 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier - 2024 First release of wine