Leonardslee gardens sold

Leonardslee, the world renowned lake and gardens estate near Horsham in Sussex has been sold by Savills.

The final spring opening from April 1 to June 30, when the magnificent gardens are at their finest, will be the last time the the Loder family will open their Grade l Listed gardens, complete with famous 'lawn mowing' wallabies, to the public.

The buyer, an international businessman, was represented by Andrew Macpherson of CKDKennedyMacpherson. Sales agent Richard Gayner of Savills says: 'Leonardslee is one of the South of England's landmark properties. There was a huge amount of interest from both the press and public when it came into the market with a guide of £5m with enquiries from all over the world.'

The gardens are packed full of stunning rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and award winning camellias as well as the dramatic rock gardens and seven lakes. The gardens have been in the Loder family since 1889 with each generation making their own mark on the gardens by adding new species of trees and plants as well as new vistas and water features.

'We are all so pleased that we will have a final opportunity to share Leonardslee with our visitors this Spring for the last time,' says Robin Loder. 'May is a truly magical month at Leonardslee, and the signs are that this will be a good flowering year. The wallabies have made Leonardslee their home since 1889, and there should be several joeys looking out of their mothers' pouches.'