Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens

A restored Grade I listed garden in West Sussex

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens occupies 240 acres of private gardens, woodlands and lakes in Lower Beeding, near Horsham, West Sussex. The garden reopened to the public in 2019 after ten years of closure; according to the estate's own account, it had come close to being lost and its recovery has been described by the site as the largest garden restoration in England and possibly in Europe. The gardens hold Grade I listed status, and the estate frames its work as protecting a heritage landscape of flora and fauna for future generations. The site quotes the description of these grounds as "the finest woodland gardens in England".

What visitors find across the estate

The gardens are the core of the visit, with seasonal interest presented through an autumn programme that includes woodland walks, Forest Bathing and guided fungi walks, alongside seasonal notes from the Head Gardener. A wallaby enclosure is reserved for breeding pairs, and from 12:00 to 12:15 daily visitors can watch the wallabies and baby joeys being fed. A play park has been added so that nature and play sit together within the Sussex estate.

The estate also runs a sculpture park and art gallery, and its events calendar combines guided walks, workshops and themed evenings. Among the activities listed are a comedy club, a Halloween family trail called The Potion Master's Quest, family and adults-only silent discos, a Christmas calligraphy workshop and a festive watercolour brush lettering session. Leonardslee Lights, a seasonal illuminated trail, forms part of the year-round programme.

Restaurant Interlude and a Michelin Key for the house

Dining is led by Restaurant Interlude, described as a Michelin-starred restaurant. Executive Chef Jean Delport, identified as a Banquet finalist on Great British Menu 2025, works with seasonality, heritage and contemporary ideas, combining contrasting elements and techniques in the menu. The restaurant serves lunch, and tables can be booked through the estate.

Leonardslee House has converted its rooms into ten individually decorated bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, set within the gardens, woodlands and lakes. The property has been awarded a Michelin Key, which the estate presents as placing it among the most exceptional hotels in the world.

Weddings and private events

Leonardslee offers two estates for weddings, each with a distinct character: one with vineyard views and another with horticultural elegance. The venues are presented as backdrops for weddings in the heart of West Sussex, and the estate also handles private events and travel trade business.

Wine, shop and plant centre

The estate operates Leonardslee Family Vineyards and Benguela Cove, with wine tasting available and bottles sold online. The Garden Shop & Plant Centre has been transformed into a retail space offering indoor plants, accessories and gifts, with seasonal plants and estate-grown varieties sold in the distinctive blue Leonardslee pots. Gift vouchers are also available.

Membership, groups and information for visitors

The garden sells day tickets and memberships, and has a dedicated section for groups and visitor information. A podcast, Growing Leonardslee, covers the gardens, the restaurant, the rooms, the events programme, the sculpture collection and the vineyard. The estate also publishes news, a gallery, a history section and press material, and recruits for careers and volunteering roles.