Leonardslee

Leonardslee is an estate in Lower Beeding with connected lakes, woodlands, and winding pathways passing through extensive collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, and numerous plant species. The grounds are arranged to reveal different garden sections as visitors move through the landscape.

Sir Edward Loder founded and developed the estate in the early nineteenth century, reshaping the landscape through extensive plantings and architectural works. The gardens grew gradually into a significant botanical collection over subsequent decades.

The restaurant within the house offers modern menus that incorporate ingredients picked from the gardens and sourced from nearby producers.

The grounds operate on different schedules depending on the season, with longer hours in spring and summer and shorter hours in autumn and winter. Wear sturdy footwear and allow time to walk the pathways, which wind through both wooded and open areas.

The grounds are home to a herd of over one hundred Bennett's wallabies that have lived there since the 1880s and adapted to the British climate. Some of these animals display rare albino characteristics and stand out as an unusual sight in this landscape.

Location: Lower Beeding

GPS coordinates: 51.01980,-0.26000

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:43