The Japanese Garden at Cowden
Free RHS Member days
Every Thursday, plus Wednesday–Sunday in November, when open
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
- Children’s play area
- Dogs welcome
- Parking
- Plant sales
- Refreshments
- Toilets
Key features
- Woodland
- Japanese garden
- Pond or lake
- Autumn colour
Get involved
The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.