The Japanese Garden at Cowden
Free RHS Member days
10.30am–5pm (4pm in winter), Thursday (plus Wednesday–Sunday in November)
About the garden
This is a stunning historic Japanese garden created by renowned explorer Ella Christie. In 1908, she visited Japan where she was inspired to establish her own Japanese garden. She appointed Taki Handa, who had studied English, Horticulture and Botany at Doshisha Women’s College in Kyoto to create Sha Raku En, ‘the garden of pleasure and delight’.
Cowden remains the only Japanese garden of its size to be accredited to a female Japanese landscape architect. Sara Stewart inherited the garden in the 2000s and in 2014 appointed Professor Fukuhara, winner of a Gold medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, to spearhead a restoration. In addition to the Japanese garden, we have a large woodland hiding a fantastic play area, craft cabin and a network of woodland paths to explore.
Facilities
- Assistance dogs only
- Children’s play area
- Parking
- Plant sales
- Refreshments
- Toilets
Key features
- Woodland
- Japanese garden
- Pond or lake
- Autumn colour
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.