Discover a world of tranquillity, colour (and great food) at Leonardslee Lates.

There has always been something magical about Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, and much to my detriment I haven’t visited in years. Having been closed to the public for nine years, seeing the gardens restored beyond their former beauty is wonderful and the perfect chance to while away the hours in an idyllic setting. Now, dear reader I need to say I know absolutely nothing about flowers, much to my garden-loving grandmother’s disappointment, I can’t tell my perennials from my elbow, so this review will very much be about what you can expect in terms of experience, rather than what is flowering right now, because quite frankly, that would be a very short and ill-informed article. Those of a floral disposition can find plenty of information about the beautiful flowers and trees on the Leonardslee website.

Back to Leonardslee Lates, these selected dates sell out quickly for a reason, they give visitors a chance to explore the space in a relaxed setting, offering food, drink, and music, is there any more to ask of a night out? They even offer the opportunity to sample some excellent wines, all with the gardens as the beautiful backdrop. Now is the perfect time to explore the gardens, with everything in bloom and a cacophony of vibrant hues around every corner. Being invited to explore the gardens after hours had a truly decadent and dare I say, almost forbidden nature to it. After a short car journey from Hove, we arrived, along with quite a crowd at the gates of Leonardslee on a beautiful Saturday evening.

Once inside we were met with an array of gorgeous statues, almost like the natural sentinels of the space were welcoming us for the evening, in the background jazz music gently drifted over the lawns and I felt both myself and my companion take a deep breath and relax, like an instant meditation. Scientists have long spoken about the resetting and calming effect of being surrounded by nature, especially the colour green, however, I would argue that being surrounded by a riot of natural colours is the perfect way to while away an evening, or even a whole day if you’re feeling particularly frazzled. Stepping along rhododendron-lined paths with the heady scent of sun-soaked blooms should be an experience offered on the NHS.

You can expect a great range of foods to enjoy while listening to the bands, with plenty of seats, the evening had such a chilled feel, with couples and friends (and a few well-behaved pooches) enjoying a glass of wine and meal after exploring the many hidden paths the gardens offer. What amazed me was that despite the crowd at the entrance, while exploring the space, it felt intimate and not overcrowded at all. We didn’t wait long for food and enjoyed delicious fish and chips while listening to the bands play classical relaxed tunes alongside covers of more unexpected hits like “No Diggity”. If fish and chips aren’t your thing, there’s a great range you can choose from, there was a good range of pizzas, and nachos if you prefer something lighter. After a leisurely stroll exploring the rock gardens and lakes, and delicious food, we decided every Saturday should be like this. On our way out we noticed the new play park which looks fab for the younger visitor, and I can see it being a huge hit with families this summer.  If you get a chance to explore Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, take it, you will be repaid with peace and a vibrant feast for the eyes, even if you know nothing about flowers!

Leonardslee Lates take place 24 - 26 May. Our tickets were gifted. 

Caroline