National Tree Week at Leonardslee Lakes & Garden 2025
Rooted in Wonder – The Trees That Shape Leonardslee
As the soft light of late autumn filters through Leonardslee’s canopy, National Tree Week invites us to pause and celebrate the quiet giants that define our landscape. Trees have long been woven into the story of Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens; living witnesses to centuries of growth, care, and connection between people and nature.
National Tree Week (22–30 November 2025) marks the UK’s largest annual celebration of trees, led by the Tree Council. It’s a time to honour the role that trees play in our environment, our wellbeing, and our sense of place. Here at Leonardslee, every trunk, leaf, and branch tells a story of resilience, diversity, and deep-rooted wonder.
Leonardslee’s Legacy – A Living Collection of Global Species
Originally planted in the 1800s, the woodlands of Leonardslee are a living tapestry of species drawn from across the world. From towering Sequoiadendrons and graceful Japanese Maples to Chilean Pines and English Oaks, our grounds hold a collection that reflects both botanical ambition and ecological harmony.
The unique microclimate of the Sussex Weald allows these species to thrive, creating a landscape that feels both timeless and ever-changing. Strolling through the estate, you’ll find trees introduced during the great Victorian era of plant exploration standing shoulder to shoulder with native species that have weathered generations of British winters.
Today, our gardeners continue the legacy of stewardship nurturing saplings, managing historic specimens, and maintaining the delicate balance that allows this ecosystem to flourish.
Champion Trees – Giants Among Giants
Leonardslee is home to several Champion Trees recognised by the Tree Register as some of the tallest, widest, or most remarkable specimens in the UK. These trees are living landmarks, awarded their “Champion” status for exceptional size, age, and health.
Each Champion Tree is proudly marked with a blue plaque that shares its credentials, helping visitors identify and appreciate these record-holders across the estate. From the majestic Abies nordmanniana (Caucasian Fir) to the breathtaking Sequoiadendron giganteum (Giant Redwood), our Champions embody the grandeur and diversity that define Leonardslee’s arboreal heritage.
You can discover them using our free Champion Tree Guide, available at Reception, or by browsing the Tree Register of the British Isles online.
Senior Gardener, Sarah Gardner
Voices from the Garden – Wisdom from the Team
Behind every thriving tree at Leonardslee is a dedicated team of gardeners, rangers, and volunteers who care deeply for this landscape.
“Each tree has its own personality,” says Senior Gardener, Sarah Gardner, who has worked across the estate for several years. “You start to learn their rhythms when they bud, how they respond to the seasons. Some are strong and commanding, others quiet and understated. Together, they make this place feel alive.”
Head Gardener Jamie Harris echoes this sentiment, noting how the team’s role extends beyond maintenance. “We see ourselves as caretakers, not just gardeners,” he explains. “Every pruning, planting, and restoration decision we make is about ensuring that future generations can stand here and feel the same sense of awe that visitors feel today.”
Our Guided Walks offer guests the chance to experience this perspective first-hand exploring the stories, science, and subtleties that shape Leonardslee’s tree population.
Head Gardener, Jamie Harris
The Healing Power of Trees – Mindfulness & Connection
Trees invite us to slow down. Beneath their branches, time moves differently, softer, steadier, rooted in the rhythms of nature. Walking through Leonardslee’s woodlands can be a mindful experience: the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze, the reflection of branches in the lakes, the gentle give of earth beneath your feet.
Scientific research continues to reveal what many of us already know intuitively: that time among trees reduces stress, enhances focus, and fosters emotional wellbeing. It’s why so many of our visitors describe their walks here as restorative, even transformative.
At Leonardslee, we encourage everyone to take a moment to simply be to breathe in the scent of pine and soil, to look up at the canopy, and to feel that quiet sense of connection that trees seem to awaken in us all.
Plan Your Visit – Experience the Trees Yourself
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is open year-round, and every season brings its own palette of colours, textures, and stories. Join one of our Guided Walks to learn more about the estate’s unique collection or simply wander at your own pace and see where the paths lead.
Whether you come for the science, the scenery, or the sense of calm that trees inspire, you’ll find something here that speaks to you something deeply, beautifully rooted in wonder.
