Went here for the day today http://www.leonardsleegardens.com/ An absolutely beautiful place, lots of photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/53643750@N00/sets/72157605146121665/
As you say anakat what a beautiful place, great photos, looks like you had a wonderful day. I wish I lived nearer, I'd be off there myself. I'm envious.:D 02
Leonardslee is not far from me,have not been for a while,but after seeing your pics,I must go back there,thank you
Had a great day at Leonardslea,would recomend it to anyone,although best to go in May,to see the Rhododendrons and Azaelas at their best
As Leonardslee is supposed to be closing at the end of this month, we decided to pop along today. Its a wonderful place to visit, and I would imagine that it would be hard to become bored of visiting it. The con or downside was the restaurant food. I had an £8.00 pork and chicken pie salad, and for all intense and purpose, I may just have eaten a cardboard box! Tasteless and bland would be an understatement, and the one and only thing that had any taste was a single chunk of apple that was in the salad!:( Nice place, but skip the dire food.
I live 5 miles from Leonardslee...and never been to visit! I know it's supposed to be closing due to the current owners selling up, but judging by the visitor numbers (and cars parked in the grassy 'car park') the new owners would be mad not to keep it open. I recall the admission fee was quite steep...but it doesn't seem to put people off.
I can't really see how they can financially close it. It must cost a fortune to maintain all of the buildings and grounds. Having said that, if I was the 'old' owner, starting a rumour about the place closing down, would sure bring in a nice amount of last minute money! I think that the entry cost was about £6.50 Lovely grounds, and well worth a visit.
According to BBC South, the new owner is an Eastern European, who prefers to keep the garden private from now on :(
