Celebrate the Queen's Jubilee
Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a spring walk through our gardens, highlighting the Coronation Garden.
Created by Sir Giles Loder 70 years ago to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the Coronation Garden is the perfect place to take a moment and reflect on the Queen’s long reign and to experience the height of spring in our woodland gardens.
A lovely detour on the Spring Walk for Rhododendron enthusiasts that will take you to the Coronation Garden, a garden developed to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
The Coronation Garden at the top end on our Spring Walk sits between the newly reopened Top Garden and Mossy Ghyll Pond.
Sir Giles Loder was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour and planted all forms of Rhododendron Loderi in the Coronation Garden to mirror our famous Loderi Garden on the opposite side of the valley along with other spring flowering plants that our gardens are famed for.
To reach the Coronation Garden pick up a map from reception or click on the link below to download and follow the Spring Walk (pink route) until you reach the detour marked at point “D”.
Please note that this route is not accessible for visitors with limited mobility.
28 May – 5 June
Free for members | Day entry required for non-members
The Coronation Garden
Planted in 1952 by then owner Sir Giles Loder to mark the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Coronation Garden includes all forms of Rhododendron Loderi hybrids that were originally raised by Sir Edmund Loder in 1901 (Sir Giles grandfather). The highly fragrant varieties include Rhododendron white diamond, Rhododendron Sir Joseph Hooker, Rhododendron pink coral, Rhododendron pink diamond and Rhododendron King George, named after the Queen’s grandfather King George V.
This is a detour not to be missed during May and June!
A Fitting Tribute
In 1901 Sir Edmund Loder began breeding Rhododendrons that would go on to become the most important Rhododendron hybrid in the World! ‘Loderi’ Rhododendrons were developed by crossing species of Rhododendron griffithianum and Rhododendron fortunei. The species ‘griffithianum’, which is very tender, contributed towards extremely large flowers and beautiful bark and the ‘fortunei’ added its scent, hardiness and more vigorous growth.
At Leonardslee Lakes & Garden we have the most complete collection of Loderi hybrid Rhododendrons in the World. Original specimens can be found in the Loderi Garden, while the second collection of younger plants live in and thrive in the Coronation Garden.
Some Loderi hybrids only flowered after Sir Edmund’s death with not many currently freely available. ‘Loderi King George’ is probably the most well-know and easily found, making a visit to the Coronation Garden a fitting tribute to The Queen and Sir Edmund himself.
Adur Concert Band
Enjoy traditional music performed by the Adur Concert Band on Friday 3 June on the lawn beside Leonardslee House.
The Adur Concert Band are a community band that plays concerts all year round in the South East of England.
Friday 3 June
14:00 - 16:00