LAKES & GARDENS
Enjoy peaceful walks through the ‘Finest Woodland Gardens in England’ which boasts impressive features, including several scarce trees and shrubs.
The gardens are famed for outstanding displays of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Magnolias, Bluebells and the beautiful ornamental rock garden.
There are numerous walks to explore throughout the 240-acres of Grade I Listed Gardens, parkland, lawns and forest areas, with an abundance of fascinating fauna as well as flora. You can see a rare colony of wallabies introduced in 1889, as well as several species of deer.
Here, we offer just a few examples of what's on offer around some of the most popular walking trails at Leonardslee.
THE VICTORIAN ROCK GARDEN
The Leonardslee Rock Garden provides visitors of all ages with an unforgettable experience as the paths loop through the stunning rock formations.
The enchanting garden is the jewel of Leonardslee throughout the seasons.
The Rock Garden includes three groups of palm trees, including two clump-forming varieties of the Chusan palm, which are unique to Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens. Chusan palms, commonly known as Windmill Palms, come from the Arecaceae and are native to parts of China, Japan, Myanmar/ Burma and India. This cold-hardy, evergreen palm can grow up to 20 feet tall with 4-foot wide, fan-shaped leaves.
Built in 1890 by Victorian landscaping company James Pulham & Sons, the Leonardslee Rock Garden joined in on the Victorian trend at the time. James Pulham & Sons specialised in the construction of picturesque natural rock gardens, ferneries, follies and grottoes. When Sir Edmund Loder, owner of Leonardslee at the time and a flora and fauna enthusiast, returned from his travels, he sought to create a natural habitat for the ferns and Alpine plants he collected. The skilled Pulham craftsmen learnt to craft their rocks to suit Loder’s requirements as natural rocks were not readily available. They combined large stone and a unique, concrete-like material called 'Pulhamite' to create a natural setting.
THROUGH THE SEASONS
AUTUMN
Autumn is a season to savour and celebrate at Leonardslee. The character of the gardens changes, with the fiery shades of russet reds, golds, yellows, oranges, copper in the mellow beauty of the valley. The woodland gardens are interlaced with seven lakes, each one showcasing different vistas in its reflective waters. There is so much to see; it will take your breath away.
WINTER
Crisp walks in the cold winter air are the order of the day, as the gardens change again and take on their winter colours. The stark outline of the trees in the misty valley showcases the iconic look of Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, with their origins in the Himalayas. In the sheltered valley, waterfalls, vibrant colours and wildfowl beguile and entertain at the lakeside.
SPRING
Spring is a sight to behold at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, famous for its beautiful woodland gardens and renowned collection of Rhododendrons. Spring brings a spectacular display of colour - from carpets of bluebells to flourishing wildlife. Don't miss the famous Dell, home to a 35ft Cornish Red Rhododendron planted in the 1800s.
SUMMER
There is nothing more beautiful than an ancient woodland garden when it comes alive in the summer. The majestic trees and meandering pathways lead down to seven tranquil lakes, bringing relief from the heat of the summer sun. A garden of international significance and the domain of Edmond Loder, the great Victorian plant hunter.
