Leonardslee Gardens

See more Gardens. Near to Crawley (10.78 km) in United Kingdom.

Leonardslee Gardens, a paradise in spring! Leonardslee Gardens were laid out by Sir Leonard Loder in 1889 and today they are still maintained by the Loder family. The gardens are world famous for acid-loving ornamental trees and shrubs. The collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias is one of the most spectacular to be seen anywhere and offer an amazing sense of colour. The rhododendrons to be seen at Leonardslee include the famous 'Rhododendron loderi' raised by Sir Edmund Loder in 1901. The flowering shrubs, under-planted with spring bulbs and bluebells, are a blaze of colour in May. The seven lakes in the garden give wonderful reflections and views. Leonardslee also has a charming Rock Garden which is full of colour in May. A walled courtyard garden gives shelter to a splendid exhibition of Bonsai trees. The Alpine House has a magnificent collection of 400 different alpine plants growing in a natural rocky setting. For over 100 years wallabies have lived wild in part of the garden. These beautiful creatures are used as natural mowing machines! There are also Sika, Fallow and Axis deer in the parkland. The Loder family collection of Victorian motor cars (1895 to 1900) is also on display at Leonardslee. Open April through October.

4 / 5 Review by expert member Donna Dawson