The Japanese Garden at Cowden
Cowden Garden
Upper Hillfoot Road
Dollar
FK14 7PL
Free Access
Free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies Thu.
Opening Hours
10.30am–5pm, Wed–Mon, summer; 10.30am–4pm, Wed–Sun, winter. Please see website for details.
Admission
Please see website for admission prices.
RHS members
Free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies Thu.
Facilities
- Toilets
- Children’s play area
- Baby changing facilities
- Children's activities
- Gift shop
- Accessible facilities
- Free carer entry
- Parking
- Picnic area
- Group rates
- Plant sales
- Refreshments
Features
- Woodland
- Japanese garden
- Pond or lake
- Autumn colour
About the garden
Owned by
Sara Stewart
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. Cowden offers visitors an unmissable experience and can be enjoyed by all ages. Make sure to stop by our tearoom for light lunches and homemade baking. Find us just outside Dollar, nestled in the foothills of The Ochils. Please visit our website for up-to-date information and to book your tickets.
Please note: The garden has EV charging points.
Plants of special interest
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.