Leighton Hall’s grounds are well worth exploring. The estate stretches over some 1,550 acres. As well as landscaped parkland and woodland walks, Leighton is the home of a very pretty 19th century walled garden. This garden is the realm and the passion of Mrs Suzie Gillow Reynolds. Not a lover of structured formality, Mrs Gillow Reynolds has encouraged a garden which has flowers in abundance, rose covered walls, a fragrant herb patch and overflowing herbaceous border. It has an almost cottage garden style. The only exception to the free form is the formal, ornamental vegetable plot. Here, cabbages are castles and parsnips are pagodas! Surrounding this walled retreat and winding through the grounds are miles of footpaths. A stroll through the woodland walks which were planted by an 18th century Leighton owner can be calming and peaceful. Sharp eyed walkers could be lucky enough to see some of the many forms of wildlife which live on the estate. Leighton Hall’s grounds and gardens are constantly changing. Each new season and each new year brings new plants, new displays and also new families of animals to Leighton. Visitors with their own gardens will be delighted by the newly renovated Victorian conservatory which is now home to a plant centre where many unusual plants are on sale. Most of Leighton Hall’s gardens are accessible to wheelchairs. Open: 1st May – 30th September inclusive, 2pm to 5pm, Tuesday – Friday (also Bank Holiday Sunday & Monday). Open on Sundays in August. Please call 01524 73447401524 734474 for more information.