About the garden
Owned by
Alan Clements
New for 2022: Cascades Gardens is a meditation garden in a spectacular 1.6ha (4 acre) setting. The surrounding natural landscape includes cliffs and water courses. The gardens have been created in an old limestone quarry with a ruined corn mill, mill pond and mill race. In wetter times, the garden has many waterfalls and you can hear the sound of water everywhere you go; in the summer the water is a gentle trickle. Early season displays include snowdrops and a fine collection of hellebores, while spring sees a delightful show of daffodils and tulips.
The rugged landscape is the perfect backdrop for early summer blossom, flowers, and roses. There is a wide range of unusual hardy perennials, trees and an extensive border of conifers giving shape and interest to the garden throughout the year. Inspired by Japanese garden design and reflecting Buddhist philosophy, the gardens are unusually planted in a natural style creating a pleasing combination of rocks, water and planting.
There are quiet, secluded areas to sit and relax in, each individually designed around more than 15 Lutyens-style benches and with meditation in mind. There are winding paths and high viewpoints from the cliff and hillside. Some of these areas reflect the owner’s visits to Japan and include a raked gravel (or ‘Karesansui’) garden and a pot garden featuring a number of Japanese plants including acers and Cryptomeria. There is also a bonsai centre with Japanese trees, pots and tools to inspire and help those new to this calming and fascinating hobby.
Self-service refreshments are available along with homemade cake. We are accessible to wheelchairs but do not have a disabled toilet.
