Less than an hour train ride from London is the sweet little market town of Horsham, where Leonardslee beams and sings along to all living things in its harmonious greenery and rustic chicness.

Built in 1855, Leonardslee House stretches over 240 acres of land and has developed into one of the most graceful homes in the heart of West Sussex. Beyond the luxury boutique hotel is Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Leonardslee Vineyards, a wallaby farm, even an exhibition of exquisite dollhouses. To top it all off, its Michelin-starred restaurant, Interlude, is a culinary journey through the estate’s beautifully cultivated terroir.

Boasting a rich heritage of an English past, to experience a few days and nights at Leonardslee, as a whole, equates to a multi-layered experience of history, nature, art, gastronomy, design and style.

 

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In 1685, King Charles II gave Leonardslee to his physician, Sir Edward Greaves, who passed it down to the Aldridge family. Around 1801/1803, a portion of the land was sold to Charles George Beauclerk – an English politician who served as Member of Parliament. By this time, the earliest plantings at Leonardslee officially began with oaks, chestnuts, pines and other plantations, in addition to man-made ponds. To maximize the garden’s acidic soil, Beauclerk planted a variety of flowers, like: rhododendrons, camellias, and magnolias (that eventually became the names of guest rooms at Leonardslee House today.)

The estate was sold to the Hubbard family in 1852, when the modern-day Italianate-style was first commissioned. By 1889, Victorian plant collector Sir Edmund Loder bought the estate from his parents-in-law and expanded the gardens with rare fauna and flora, along with wildlife, such as: wallabies, kangaroos, and gazelles. Robin Loder was the last of his family to make additional changes to the estate with four new lakes and plantings.

In July 2017, Leonardslee was purchased by Benguela Collection Hospitality Group, owned by Penny Streeter – a South African entrepreneur. After several years of renovations and modernization, the estate reopened to the public in April of 2019. Today, Leonardslee Estate includes: a hotel, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a vineyard, shops, galleries, gardens and lakes.

Leonardslee House offers ten luxurious guest rooms, each named after a flower, designed by different British designers. The bespoke rooms are categorized in Deluxe Suites, Superior Rooms, and Classic Rooms.

Magnolia, for instance, a Deluxe Suite, was designed by Lewis and Wood, known for making world-class fabrics and wallpapers from its Gloucestershire Mill. The interior décor features arched doors and incorporates a separate lounge, a generous en-suite with walk-in rainfall shower, roll-top bath, his and hers individual sinks. The perfect night of sleep is guaranteed thanks to super king-sized bed with 300 thread-count bed linen.

Rhododendron (Superior Room,) is another stunner designed by Veere Greeney where the iconic “Temple Pink” is lathered stylishly over walls accentuated by views of the Leonardslee Garden. Opulence meets comfort, through high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and a mirrored bath tub against marbled floor.

Pinotage is named after the blooms of the famous South African grape vine, hence captivated by a red and blue color palette. The Superior Classic Room was designed by Soane Britain, known for timeless yet joyful patterns while paying tribute to traditional British craftsmanship. Every thread of fabric used in the room is provided by Soane Britain collection.

Other collaborations include: Sanderson for the Meadowsweet, Penny Morrison for Eucalyptus, Rapture and Wright for Camellia, Colefax and Fowler for Rose, Nina Campbell for Maple, and Christopher Farr for Azalea.

Leonardslee’s luminous restaurant, Interlude, is a Michelin gem led by chef Jean Delport. The entire menu is personally foraged by his team, directly from the abundant 240-acre Grade I listed Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens. The multi-course menu is an elegant chorus of homage to the chef’s South African roots, integrating melodic respect to nature’s gifts. 

Every dish is splendidly surprising, fanciful, and undeniably delectable. The impeccable dining experience begins with an unexpected introduction right in Leonardslee House’s hallway, led by the sous-chef’s explanation of Bulrush – a wetland plant frequently found on the edges of ponds and lakes in South Africa. Its sausage-like flower head stands out among other embellishments in a hidden box as part of the pre-dinner presentation which ends with a bite of bulrush in a delicate dish.

One of the most intriguing courses in the spectacular menu is “Rabbit Eats Carrot,” where the carrot is cooked in four ways, paired with the prime cut of a rabbit. Not only does this tasty number tell the story of a circular eco-system, it also showcases the wink of fun that Chef Delport clearly has in the kitchen, through his intentional menu composition and certainly via the irony of his signature dish.

Recognized as one of the World’s Best Vineyards in 2025, Leonardslee Family Vineyards produces various wines, including three crispy sparkling wines served alongside starter dishes at Interlude. The estate also offers wine tasting masterclasses where wine lovers can indulge in Blanc de Blancs, Brut Rosé, and Brut Reserve for £20 per person. The flavorful experience encompasses a vineyard tour, food and wine pairings.

The so-called “Finest Woodland Gardens in England” aptly describes Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens – home to rare trees, sprawling shrubs, deep forests, seven breathtaking lakes and iridescent floras, including: Magnolias, Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Camellias, Bluebells…and more. This is where seasons shift, wildlife gather. It’s where we wander quietly, and observe.

Several gorgeous trails are imprinted throughout serene landscapes, even The Rock Garden where rare Chusan palm trees can only be seen at Leonardslee. Often referred to as Windmill Palms, these 20-feet Chinese fan palms are typically native to China, Japan, Myanmar and India.

The Rock Garden was built by Victorian landscaping designer James Pulham & Sons in 1890, and replicated ferneries and follies that Sir Edmund Loder wanted to create from his travels. At the time, natural rocks to match Loder’s specs were not yet available, hence the “Pulhamite” was designed to model large stones and concrete for mimicking the kind of natural environment that best suited Loder’s collection of Alpine plants.

In 1889, Sir Edmund Loder brought the first group of Bennett’s Wallabies to Lenardslee from Tasmania, Australia. Today, groups of them bearing coats in muted grey and brown or ivory white (albino) have become quite the attraction. Thick fur keep them cozy during colder months while their mighty ears can turn 180 degrees, protecting them from predators. Joeys, or young wallabies, can remain in their mothers’ pouches for nine months. The feedings of adorable wallabies at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens are open for viewing from 12:00 p.m. to 12:15 p.m.

A tranquil stroll through Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is akin to a poetic browse in an open-air art gallery. With the fusion of nature’s changing colors amalgamating magnificent sculptures from local artists in Sussex, Surrey and South Africa (the latter mainly by acclaimed artist Anton Smit.)

Several outdoor trails are in tandem with the likes of: Mr Gnome (by Alan Wallis, in frost proof high fired stoneware,) DogDays (by Melissa Ransom, in bronze resin with wire detail on oak,) Tutti and Fruity (by Alison Catchlove, in galvanized steel,) and Schnoggles (by Angie Doy, in iron resin on granite)…just to name a few.

Another whimsically unique stop at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is the magical “Beyond the Dolls’ House exhibition,” which portrays the Edwardian estate in miniature size. Upon entering a darkened room, an enchanting collection of over 200 dolls at six inches of height, performing their daily activities in quotidian scenes that range from farming, apothecary, photography, boutiques to butcher shops.

Created by Helen Holland in 1998, the artistic project was commissioned by former owner Robin Loder. Look closer, there are several depictions in the spirit of humor and fun. All recreated at an incredibly meticulous 1:12 scale, in the name of excellent craftsmanship.

Whether it’s wine, food, hotel, or even the wallabies that captivate visitors to Leonardslee; all of it boils down to an utmost privilege. While families of ducks waddle through one of the halcyon lakes, they quack below trees whistling alongside chilly breeze and peppy leaves prancing in air. Look around, trails of sculptures remind admirers that manmade beauty can coexist with Mother Nature when intention is kind and respectful.

Before relaxing upon designer beddings, a lavish meal at Interlude symbolizes the wondrous eco-system surrounding the Leonardslee sphere, where we indulge in nature as it continues to gift us the joys of living.