Cascades Gardens

About the garden

Owned by

Alan and Alesia Clements

Cascades Gardens, the meditation garden and Bonsai centre, is designed within a spectacular four-acre natural landscape with cliffs, an old limestone quarry, a ruined corn mill, mill pond and mill race. In the wet season the garden has many waterfalls, and you can hear the sound of water wherever you go. In the summer the stream becomes just a gentle trickle.

The season starts with snowdrops and many hellebores, and the spring garden with blossom, daffodils and tulips is a delight. The rugged landscape is the perfect backdrop for the flowers and roses in the early summer. There is a wide range of hardy perennials and unusual trees and shrubs and extensive acer and conifer borders that continue to give shape and interest to the garden throughout the year. 

Inspired by Japanese gardens and Buddhist philosophy, the gardens are planted in a very natural style and are a pleasing combination of rocks, water, and planting. There is a Japanese water garden and tea garden which feature a many Japanese plants including acers, black bamboo, Cryptomeria and ferns. These are included amongst the 20 quiet secluded areas to sit. There are winding paths and high viewpoints from the cliff and hillside. Some of these areas reflect the gardens the owner has viewed in Japan including a raked gravel (Karesansui) garden. All of them are very quiet and peaceful places and designed with meditation in mind. 

There is also a Bonsai centre with Chinese and Japanese trees, pots and tools to help those that are new to this fascinating hobby. Cascades Gardens is a celebration of nature. The perfect place to relax, reflect and find peace of mind. 

Please note: this garden is partially accessible.