Nestled in deep forest near a charming rural village is a restaurant with Michelin stars. The village of Lower Beeding is a 45 minute journey from the southern edge of London, tucked away on the outskirts of Horsham in West Sussex.
The quintessential English village may be an attraction in itself, but Restaurant Interlude, located in Leonardslee Gardens, is definitely the cherry on top. It is practically an annual entry in the Michelin Guide and AA’s annual list, even with its own Michelin star.
The AA says its awards recognize “restaurant destinations with the highest quality of culinary offerings in the country”. Restaurant Interlude is set in a grand Italianate country house in Leonardslee Gardens with high ceilings, ornate fireplaces, oil paintings and chandeliers.
The kitchen team grow food from their own garden in the village, as well as foraging and sourcing local Sussex produce. Michelin says this connection to the surrounding area is evident in its surprise menu, which offers fantastic produce from deer to wild garlic sourced from within the farm.
It adds: “The skillfully prepared dishes show good balance in their textures and flavours, and take a creative, original approach. The menu is presented in shorter form at lunchtime.”
Along with this award, Interlude also has the Michelin Green Star for gastronomy and sustainability. The Grade I listed Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens were first planted in 1801 on 240 hectares.
It is known today for its azaleas, rhododendrons and even a wallaby colony that roams the grounds freely. The Leonardslee wallabies were introduced by naturalist Sir Edmund Loder in 1889 and are believed to be Bennett’s wallabies from Tasmania, Australia. They are winter hardy, with a thick coat perfect for keeping them warm during the cold English winter.
How to get there and price of entry to Leonardslee Gardens
Day tickets to Leonardslee Gardens cost £14.50 for adults if you want to explore the wonderful grounds while visiting the restaurant.
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