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LEONARDSLEE LAKES &  GARDENS TRIP – camellias, hydrangeas and wallabies

Categories Outings

Committee member Richard Holdaway reports on our July outing

Overlooking the South Downs near Horsham, the layout of the garden was started in 1801 by Charles George Beauclerk. The Grade1 listed gardens are part of a steep sided gorge. So to get the best out of experience, you do need to be reasonably fit. (There are two buggies, but they are only in operation when volunteers are available.)

Leonardslee is one of the best woodland gardens in the country. Near the entrance is the rock garden, set in a bowl shape with a waterfall at its centre. After leaving the rock garden, we arrived at the main house where there was an art exhibition. There is also a hotel, cafeteria and dolls house museum. There are various models in intricate detail, some with mechanics and lighting.

A path to the right of the main house leads to the camellia section and wallaby enclosure. The wallabies weren’t that active, laying in the grass. As you tour the grounds you will find various works of art of all tastes, which make points of interest.

Descending into the valley down a steep path you see the lakes at the bottom. They were formed to run a foundey when there was iron production in the area. They now host ducks and Koi carp, Walking around the lakes there are many pleasant views. The variety of trees would be the envy of any arboretum. It was a good place to have your packed lunch.

A path to the right of the main house leads to the camellia section and wallaby enclosure. The wallabies weren’t that active, laying in the grass. As you tour the grounds you will find various works of art of all tastes, which make points of interest.

Descending into the valley down a steep path you see the lakes at the bottom. They were formed to run a foundey when there was iron production in the area. They now host ducks and Koi carp, Walking around the lakes there are many pleasant views. The variety of trees would be the envy of any arboretum. It was a good place to have your packed lunch.

There are many paths crisscrossing either side of the valley. We were given a crude map, but it would have been useful to have more signposts. You can find the paths deceptive, and return back down when you are trying to go up.

At at the top I found the Giant Sequoia. The garden also has the largest and rarest collection of rhododendrons, although July was not the right time to see them. But the splendid booms of the hydrangeas made up for them.

The weather made the day pleasant and held to the final minutes.