The Japanese Garden at Cowden
‘The most important Japanese Garden in the Western World’. Professor Jijo Suzuki, Japan 1925
Upper Hillfoot Road, Dollar, Clackmannanshire, FK14 7PL
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Cafe / restaurant
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Facilities for children
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Free parking
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Parkland / open spaces
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Picnic area
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Shop
Accessible parking
Accessible toilets
Guide dogs welcome
Wheelchair ramps/routes
An historic Japanese Garden founded in 1908 by inveterate traveller, Ella Christie. Under the supervision of Professor Fukuhara (best known for his gold medal at Chelsea plus the restoration of the Japanese Gardens at Kew and Tatton Park), Cowden has recently undergone a five year restoration programme.
The garden features a large pond with perimeter path, zig zag and arched bridges, antique lanterns and Japanese structures including the new thatched pavilion (based on the Katsura Imperial Pavilion, Kyoto).
The best times to visit are late April for the cherry blossom, May/June for the rhododendrons and October/November for the acers. Adjoining the garden is the Stewart Adventure Woodland with trails and associated outdoor puzzles/games.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
The Japanese Garden at Cowden offers a serene and picturesque experience for visitors, with specific opening times and policies to ensure a pleasant visit for all.
Opening Times
The garden is open 5 days a week, from Wednesday to Sunday, between 10:30 AM and 4:00 PM. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. During the low season (November to March), a garden ticket is not required to visit the tearoom.
Winter opening hours for 2025 are from October 26th, 2025, to March 28th, 2026, with the same weekly schedule. The garden will be closed from December 22nd, 2025, to January 6th, 2026.
Dog Policy
Only trained assistance dogs are allowed in the Japanese Garden and Christie Walk. However, dogs on leads are welcome in the Stewart Woodland, Lime Tree Avenue, and Lawns.
Special Events
- Christmas Afternoon Tea: A festive afternoon tea event is available during the holiday season. Spaces are limited and require booking in advance.
- Festive Paper Folding Workshop: Scheduled for December 13th, 2025, this workshop offers a creative experience for participants.
Facilities and Accessibility
The tearoom closes 30 minutes before the garden, with last food orders at 3:00 PM and hot drinks at 3:15 PM. The garden is wheelchair accessible, with some steep paths requiring assistance. Disabled parking and a manual wheelchair are available upon request.
Tickets and Bookings
Tickets are recommended to be booked in advance during the spring and summer seasons. Group bookings are available for groups of 10 to 30 people, with restrictions on weekends and holidays. Supporter’s passes and gift vouchers are available for purchase.
Visitor Guidelines
Visitors are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear due to uneven paths. Smoking and drone flying are prohibited. The garden may close due to severe weather conditions.
Special Occasions
The Garden Pavilion is available for hire for special events, offering exclusive access to the garden after 5:00 PM. Guests can bring their own catering to personalize their celebrations.
For more information, visitors are encouraged to contact the garden directly.
Historic Houses members visit free
Other charges:
Adult £10.90 Senior £9.85 Child £5.75 Family £32 Single Adult Family £23.75 Disabled £6 Disabled with Carer £6 No Youth Ticket
Accessible parking
Accessible toilets
Guide dogs welcome
Wheelchair ramps/routes
.
The Japanese Garden at Cowden: In Pictures
The Stewart Adventure Woodland
Children can enjoy roaming in the Stewart Adventure Woodland. The play area includes a board walk and tree house. The popular ‘Acorn Challenge’ where children can hunt for acorns with letters and Japanese symbols to try and decode a secret message to win a prize. We hide the acorns in new places and change the secret message every month. Children can also add labels to the wishing trees.
Adventure playground at Cowden Garden
Popular walks at Cowden Garden
The Christie Walk is a five minute loop just east of The Japanese Garden. The Lime Tree Avenue was planted in 1908 to highlight to Ella Christie’s guests the importance of the new Japanese Garden. The loop from the car park, up the Lime Tree Avenue and back down towards the entrance to the garden takes in the new cherry tree planting. Cowden benefitted from donations from The Sakura Cherry Tree Project in 2018/19, which enabled us to replace the original avenue and create a dedicated Hanami area. Within the Stewart Adventure Woodland there is a 15 minute circular loop and a longer path (25 minutes), which meanders alongside the Holeburn to the front drive.
A garden inspired: Discover Cowden's history
The trustees appointed Professor Masao Fukuhara, admired for his sensitive restoration of the Japanese Gardens at Kew and Tatton Park and for his Chelsea Gold Medal garden, to spearhead the restoration and ensure the authenticity of Cowden was maintained.
The most beautiful wedding venue
Submerse yourself in the ancient trees and the unique beauty of a traditional Japanese garden set in the Scottish countryside.
Getting here
Upper Hillfoot Road, Dollar, Clackmannanshire, FK14 7PL
By car
Between Dollar and Muckhart on the A91, follow brown signs to: ‘Japanese Garden’.
By bicycle
Cycle via the Upper Hillfoot Road, which is a walking/cycle friendly route.
Looking to visit The Japanese Garden at Cowden?
The Japanese Garden at Cowden is open six days per week during the summer and five days during the winter months. See the Opening information above to find out more. Historic Houses members with a valid membership card are able to visit the garden free of charge.
If you’re interested in joining Historic Houses as a member, you can find out more about membership below. Members enjoy free access to almost three hundred independently owned historic houses across the UK for free using their membership card, as well as a quarterly magazine and monthly online lectures about the houses.
Other houses that members can visit nearby
Monzie Castle
Crieff, Perthshire, PH7 4HD
Drummond Castle Gardens
Muthill, Crieff, Perthshire, PH7 4HN
Scone Palace
Perth, Perthshire, PH2 6BE
Related links
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