In autumn, maples blaze red, liquidambars glow deep burgundy and the famous lakes at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens shimmer with woodland colour reflected in the water. Leonardslee was the second garden developed by the Loder family. Sir Edmund Loder was the son of Sir Robert Loder of High Beeches and it was Sir Edmund who was the first of a number of family members to develop this significant and impressive Sussex garden. It is therefore an integral part of the Loder Trail ©.
Sir Edmund’s passion was for hybridising plants to create striking displays, especially among the rhododendrons and azaleas but autumn here has its own kind of magic.
Sir Edmund bought Leonardslee in 1889 from his father-in-law William Hubbard. Hubbard had already done some development of the gardens, but it was Loder who took up the mantel and for the 30 years he lived there, developed Leonardslee into the exotic and remarkable gardens they are. Compared to High Beeches, there is a potency and headiness to the gardens at Leonardslee and with the occasional sighting of a wallaby, it still feels incredibly exotic.
Woodland gardening here meant informal design but with spectacular plants—rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias, redwoods from all over the world.
Head Gardener, Jamie Harris, explains more about the estate’s transformation from an industrial past to a horticultural haven.
Leonardslee feels so peaceful now, but it hasn’t always been this way, has it?
Not at all. Leonardslee was originally part of St Leonards Forest, which was heavily exploited for the timber and iron ore industries. Huge swathes of oak and beech were cleared for furnace fuel and construction. They even dammed the stream at the bottom of the valley to create lakes to power pumps. So yes, it was once a very industrial landscape.
And the lakes we see today, are they all man-made?
Yes, there are seven in total, all connected in an open system that feeds in from the north and flows south. They were built at different times for different purposes, some for industry, one to pump water to the house, one called Beaver Pond because Sir Edmund Loder kept a beaver collection.
When did the estate become more of a garden than an industrial site?
That started with a Charles Beauclerk in the early to mid-1800s. He introduced rhododendrons and created what was known as the American Garden, with plants from the Americas, including some of the earliest redwoods here. But the real transformation came under Sir Edmund Loder.
Sir Edmund is quite a figure in the garden’s history. What was he like as a man?
He was a bit of a polymath: a traveller, naturalist, sportsman and collector. Everything he turned his hand to, he excelled at. He had a fascination for rare and exotic plants, and at Leonardslee his focus became breeding rhododendrons, leading to the famous Loderi hybrids. He also had an extraordinary collection of exotic animals including wallabies, beavers and even a running deer track system. The whole estate was like Longleat before Longleat.
Were his plant choices as adventurous as his animal collections?
Absolutely. Woodland gardening here meant informal design but with spectacular plants like rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias and redwoods from all over the world. He was meticulous, selecting the best possible specimens for breeding. And he was playing the long game – some of his hybrids didn’t flower until after his death in 1920.
Did the different Loder family members work together at all?
Yes, there was definitely a bit of rivalry, but also plant-sharing between the estates. Together with other gardens in the area, they created a kind of informal horticultural network, making this part of Sussex incredibly rich in exceptional gardens.
Each generation seems to have left its own mark. How did later owners shape the garden?
Sir Giles Loder focused on camellias and created the Coronation Garden with specimens of his grandfather’s hybrids. Robin Loder extended the autumn season planting Acer Walk and Oak Walk. Today, under the current owners, we’ve got sculpture, a vineyard and a Michelin-starred restaurant, all while keeping the historic garden at the heart of things.
Speaking of autumn, where should visitors head for the best seasonal colours?
The south end of the valley and the lakes are spectacular in autumn. Many of the trees were chosen specifically for their seasonal colour and reflection in the water: acers, tupelos and liquidambars. Acer Walk is a highlight, with its variety of foliage and bark textures. Up near the mansion, we’ve added late-season perennials to extend the display.
And what’s next for Leonardslee?
We’re looking at climate-resilient planting, species that can cope with warmer temperatures and different rainfall patterns. We’re also developing more year-round interest, including winter highlights. The goal is to honour the past while keeping the garden vibrant for the future.
For further details of the Loder Trail and these three stunning gardens, visit:
