Waterloo talk and lunch at Leadenham House

Tickets are still available for a Waterloo talk and lunch at Leadenham House.

Following a successful event in 2025, a second annual Waterloo Lunch, with tour and lecture, will take place at Leadenham House (LN5 OPU) on Wednesday September 16.

The house’s connection with the great battle which finally ended the Napoleonic Wars is that it was the home of General John Reeve (1783-1864) who fought in the Waterloo Campaign as a Captain in the 3rd Battalion of the First Foot Guards, now known as the ‘Grenadier’ Guards to commemorate their achievements there.

The family collection includes John’s military medals and campaign memorabilia, including books recovered from the carriage Napoleon Buonaparte abandoned after his defeat, correspondence with the Duke of Wellington and his portrait with his Waterloo Medal, all of which will be on display for this event.

The day will start at 10.30am with a reception with accompanying music of the Waterloo era from Dave Fletcher, followed by an introduction from William Reeve, the present owner of the house.

It will continue from 11am to 1pm with presentations from Clare Harding on the Key and Reeve families at Leadenham and John Reeve’s military career 1800-1815. After a break for refreshments, she will continue with an account of events from the French Invasion of the Netherlands on June 15, 1815, through the next day’s Battle of Quatre Bras and the Allied army’s retreat to the ridge of Mont St Jean on the evening of June 17, leaving John Reeve and what remained of the 3rd Battalion in position there for the decisive battle that followed.

Lunch will be at 1pm, again with music of the era, after which there will be an opportunity to view the memorabilia and tour the house and the adjacent parish church, St Swithun’s, where John Reeve is buried. Clare Harding will also be on hand to take any questions on the talk.

The event will end at 3pm. 

Fifty tickets are available for this event at £45 each, to include lunch by Rachel James Catering Services. The lunch menu is available on the Leadenham House website. It accommodates most dietary requirements, but please check with the contact point regarding any needs.

A Grade II* listed Georgian country house, Leadenham House was built for William Reeve between 1790 and 1796 straddling the Lincoln escarpment with a sweeping prospect over the Trent Valley. Set in historic parkland within a traditional farming estate, access is through the gateway (also listed) on the corner of Rectory Lane and Gospel Lane in Leadenham (LN5 0PU). 

The House grounds and its Palladian-style Georgian stables host regular events throughout the year, including the annual Day of Lincolnshire Folk on the first Sunday in August and artisan markets on the second Saturday of every month from April to December, excluding August. The house itself is open to the public throughout April and May. (Contact details below.)

2025’s inaugural lecture was an energetic account of the events of June 18, 1815, given by Mark Wardle, a retired Royal Navy officer with a rich military experience and a lifelong interest in military history, an active member of the Waterloo Association, who has conducted tours of Waterloo, First and Second World War battlefields.

This year’s speaker Clare Harding has a long-standing interest in the Napoleonic Era and has been a member of the Waterloo Association for more than 30 years. She has contributed articles to its Journal and talks to London and Regional events on various topics, including Wellington’s Pyrenees campaign and the French Army’s movements before Waterloo.

Clare has participated in Leadenham Folk Nights (first Wednesday of the month except August, in the Waterloo Room) since their inception and quietly booked herself in to attend the 2025 Waterloo Day without drawing attention to how qualified she was to lead the talks.  With her established connection to Leadenham as well as her knowledge of the Waterloo campaign, she has agreed to be this year’s speaker.

For tickets email ​​[email protected]

Further information: ​[email protected] or call 01400 272680/ 07810 825697