The Leasowes ( /ˈlɛzəz/) is a 57 hectare (around 141 acre) estate in Halesowen, historically in the county of Shropshire, England, comprising house and gardens.
Developed between 1743 and 1763 by poet William Shenstone as a ferme ornée, the gardens are one of the earliest examples of the English garden. Neglected since Shenstone's death, restoration work began in 2005.
The house, despite being not architecturally outstanding, is Grade I listed in view of its association with Shenstone and its importance in the history of landscape gardening.[1]
At one time it housed the Anstey College of Physical Education
In April 1786 John Adams (the future second President of the United States on tour with Thomas Jefferson—who would serve as his vice president before becoming President himself) visited the Leasowes and other notable house in the area, after visiting them he wrote in his diary "Stowe, Hagley, and Blenheim, are superb; Woburn, Caversham, and the Leasowes are beautiful. Wotton is both great and elegant, though neglected".[2] In his diary was damming about the means used to finance the large estates, but he wrote "Shenstone's Leasowes is the simplest and plainest, but the most rural of all. I saw no spot so small that exhibited such a variety of beauties".[2]