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Garden Name: Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens
Last Modified: 14/01/2010
Garden ID: 0121

pic: 0121_leonardslee.jpg

Owner: Mr R Loder
Address:
Lower Beeding
Horsham

Postcode: RH13 6PP
County: West Sussex

tel: 01403 891212
fax: 01403 891305
website: www.leonardsleegardens.com
email: info {at} leonardsleegardens.com

Features: 
Wonderful collection of rhododendrons and azaleas.

English Heritage Grade:
I

Opening Times:
1st April - 30th June; Every day; 9.30am - 6pm, last admission 4.30pm

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
May

To see: 
Rhododendrons and Azaleas.

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 20+ adults.

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
April & June: £6.50; Child £4.00. Groups Adults £5.50; Child £3.50
May: £8; Adult Weekends & BHs £9; Child £4. Groups Adults £7; Weekends & BHs £8; Child £3.50
Season tickets; Adults £15; Child £7.50

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: No
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: No
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
Events:
Model Boat Regatta, May & June;
Vintage Stationary Engines, June;
Adur District Concert Band, June


Designer: The Loder family.
Description of Garden:
This romantic valley garden in over 200 acres with walks around seven beautiful lakes is often described as the most beautiful garden in Europe in May. The sumptuous rhododendrons, some nearly 200 years old, and vibrant azaleas overhang paths fringed with bluebells to make an earthly paradise, full of fragrance. 

The Rock Garden is planted with Japanese azaleas of every hue. Wallabies graze the grassy banks and deer roam in the parks. 'Beyond the Dolls House' is a fascinating display of life at the end of the 19th century, a 1/12th scale market town and country estate brought to life with working automata. The Alpine House and Loder collection of Victorian motor cars (1890 - 1900).


History: 
First opened by the Sir Edmund Loder to the public in 1907, and still run and managed by the same family. A garden the size of Leonardslee is a story of evolution. The backbone of the garden was created in the first years of the 19th century, but the four generations of the Loder family since 1889 have continued the design and expansion of the valley plantings to form the spectacular beauty that is seen today.

Local Inns: 
Black Horse, Nuthurst
The Plough, Lower Beeding
The Wheatsheaf, Plummers Plain

Accomodation: 


Restaurants: 


Village/Town/Sightseeing: