Celebrate Summer at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, at Horsham in West Sussex, is set to host an exciting week-long series of events from the 22nd to the 30th of July. ’Summer at Leonardslee’ is scheduled between 11am and 4pm each day and features a range of activities, entertainment, and delectable food for adults and children. 

Visitors can look forward to forest bathing by the lakes, garden games on the lawns and dancing with deer. The event includes circus skills workshops led by Poi Passion, a woodland disco, and a designated chill-out zone complete with hammocks. 

Face painting and henna tattoos, giant board games, art and craft workshops, and a fancy dress photo booth provide additional entertainment, while pop-up shops offer a variety of art, craft, clothing, homeware, food, and drink stalls.

Summer at Leonardslee takes place among the Grade I listed woodland gardens spanning 240 acres. The event includes the Surrey Sculpture Society's sculpture trail, captivating model boat displays on New Pond, an exhibition dedicated to Barbie, and a magical world in miniature at the Beyond the Doll's House exhibition. Not to be missed are the famous wallabies that call the gardens home. 

Throughout the week of events, live music performances will be held on the Leonardslee lawns, featuring artists like De Fuego, The Scorchers, Harry's Tricks, Molly McKenna, and Saxman Gazz.  

Visitors can also indulge in a variety of delicious global cuisine, with offerings from local chefs, award-winning wine from Benguela Cove in South Africa, a cocktail tent featuring local artisan spirits, street food from local vendors, and light bites and drinks from the Clocktower Café and Engine House Café. 

The event also provides an opportunity to witness the talents of Mandy McKenna, a passionate floral artist from West Sussex, who will be painting live as an artist in residence. McKenna's love for creating bespoke, handmade and hand-painted floral designs will be showcased throughout the performance. 

The Conker Activity Trail - based on the popular children’s book ‘Conker the Chameleon’ by author Hannah Peckham, is specially extended to 30th July for the summer season. This immersive event invites visitors to explore nature, their senses and their emotions while engaging with the imaginative world of Peckham's books. 

"We're thrilled to offer visitors an unforgettable summer experience at Leonardslee Gardens. From the beautiful woodlands and wildflowers to the exciting activities and delicious food and drink, there's something for everyone to enjoy. We're excited to welcome families and friends to explore the estate, discover the wildlife, and take part in the music series, open-air and other cinema events. Come experience the magic of Summer at Leonardslee!" says Adam Streeter, Estate General Manager at Leonardslee Gardens. 

Booking is essential for ‘Summer at Leonardslee’, with free entry for members and garden entry required for non-members. To secure a spot, visit the website and select a day between the 22nd and 30th of July. 

’Summer at Leonardslee’ Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, RH13 6PP. Open daily from 9am to 5pm, Adults £14.50, Children £6.50, Family from £26. 

Book here. 

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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