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Nature first in Leighton’s Gardens

Looking Back, Planting Forward

With over 800 years of managed estate at Leighton, our strategy seeks to honour that legacy, while planning, planting and managing to create a sustainable, diverse and healthy environment for our future generations.

Working steadily in harmony with nature’s cycles, winter bulb planting brings a riot of spring colour: vital sustenance for our indigenous insects, pollinators, birds and mammals. In summer, inhale the heady scents of our sensory herb garden and wildflower borders, as Leighton’s bees buzz around you.

People in Nature

Just like our centuries-old oaks, head gardener Jordan Lewis and the team take the long view, with projects that will bear fruit, foliage, flowers, pollen, nuts and timber. Never just thinking of tomorrow, but next season, next year, next decade and even next century!

Discover the different priorities, planting and habitats across our walled garden, ornamental beds, herb and vegetable plots, orchard, woodland walk, bee and pollinator corner, caterpillar maze and tree face trail. From Jordan planting new apple trees to the lady of the house Mrs Suzie Reynolds weeding the flowering borders, everyone is happy to chat, advise and impart knowledge distilled through nature.

Stronger in Partnership

With ESG at the heart of everything we do, Leighton’s community partnerships run deep-rooted. We are proud of our forest school, bulb planting with local children and dementia group walks. We also host woodland management and wood collection charity Silverdale Woodbank, and have recently planted 30,000 new trees.

An ESG visit, workshop, or “teambuilding day with a difference” creating bug hotels, wildlife havens and pollinator pyramids will reconnect you with nature’s cycles, equip you with knowledge and confidence, and inspire you to go forward and make sustainable changes in your own garden.