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Japanese Garden Journal UK and Ireland Survey The United Kingdom and Ireland play host to about 50 public Japanese gardens. In an effort to identify the most noteworthy, JOJG distributed a survey to experts there. The survey posed one question: “What are the highest-quality Japanese gardens in the UK and Ireland?” We encouraged participants to apply their own definition of the word “quality.” The following six gardens were selected as the top Japanese gardens in that region:
1. Tatton Park (photo, above) Knutsford
Cheshire WA16-6QN Most experts agree this is the finest Japanese garden in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Originally built in 1910, it received a major renovation in 2001. Its memorable features include a teahouse and handsome bamboo enclosure fences. From time to time Tatton Park has offered Japanese garden classes and workshops
2. SOAS London Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square
London WC1H-0XG The School of Oriental and African Studies has a rooftop dry garden with a checkerboard motif similar to the one seen at Tofuku-ji.
3. Lauriston Castle Cramond Road South, Davidson’s Mains
Edinburgh, Scotland EH4-5QD This 1-hectare stroll garden was built by Takashi Sawano and opened in August 2002. It overlooks the Firth of Forth.
4. Dartington Hall Dartington, Devon
Totnes TQ9-6EL This is a small dry garden that was opened in 1991. It includes an entry gate, machiai, and hillside tamamono shrub arrangement.
5. Irish National Stud The Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens.
Tully, Kildare, N7 This site is a combination of horse breeding and JN gardening. Created in 1910, the garden’s theme is the “Cycle of Human Life.”
6. Holland Park Kensington High St. and Holland Park Ave.
London W8 Also known as the “Kyoto Garden,” this medium-sized pond and waterfall garden was opened in a London City Park in 1991. ---------------------------------------------------------- Photo courtesy of the UK Japanese Garden Society JAPANESE GARDENS HOME |
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