We are a national Society with five regional groups located around the UK.
Click below to find out more about each region, which gardens they look after and lot’s more.
Northern Region
JGS Northern Region
The Northern Region currently has 130 members; however, we have a core working group of around 25 – 30 members who engage in regular activities and events, which are mainly public gardens maintenance.
JGS National Conference 2025.
Hopefully you are all aware that the Northern Region are hosting the National Conference on May 18th. We look forward to meeting some of you there!
The following gives an insight into our various activities:
Walkden Gardens
Located in the Manchester suburb of Sale, it continues to be our most popular regular maintenance event on the last Saturday of the month. Surely, it is the coffee and cake provided by the FOWG which attracts so many JGS volunteers!
Willowbrook and Bury Hospices
Both locations are private gardens and unfortunately are not open to the public.
Willowbrook is located near Prescott, close to Liverpool. It now has four dedicated Japanese gardens in various locations around the hospice. They are a quiet and calming space for residents to enjoy. Both these hospice gardens have their own gardening staff but the JGS visit 2 – 3 times per year to give specialist assistance and advice.
Following a new hospice extension to provide more facilities it involved the splitting of one of the gardens. Here we are relocating several large rocks to provide a new look to a small garden area.
Bury Hospice, located just north of Manchester will host an indoor event for our members in June. Graham Hardman will explain the design and construction of the garden. This will be followed by a presentation by four of our intrepid members who undertook a specialist tour of Japan last November.
Calderstones Japanese Garden
This garden, located in the northern suburbs of Liverpool, was designed in the 1960’s. The Friends of Calderstones Park approached us last year to assist in the renovation of the garden. That process is now ongoing in close co-operation with the FOCG. The garden has been taken over by the invasive Sasa bamboo, which is currently undergoing the first treatment stages of eradication. We will also be accepting a Sakura donated by the Japanese Government in the autumn. Funding has now been granted by Liverpool Parks and Greenspaces to renovate the pond and waterfall.
Ysgol David Hughes (David Hughes high school)
Located in Menai Bridge on the Isle of Anglesey, the school is developing a new Japanese Peace Garden to strengthen ties with a partner high school in Hiroshima. Last year, YDH approached JGS Northern for advice, and we now have a small team holding Zoom meetings with students and teachers to design, plan, and eventually build the garden. The setting is stunning, with views of the Menai Strait and Snowdon. Soon, students will visit a private garden owned by one of our members on Anglesey for inspiration.
Festival Gardens Japanese Garden
The Liverpool International Garden Festival ran from 2 May to 14 October 1984. A highlight was the Japanese Garden, designed by Akira Ohira of Hakone Ueki Landscape Construction Co. Now in severe disrepair, its future is uncertain. The JGS has sent a report with recommendations to Liverpool’s Regeneration Directorate, Parks and Greenspaces, and Friends of FG.
Summer Matsuri
Last August, we took part in the Matsuri organized by the Japan Society North West (JSNW) at Calderstones Park. The day featured Japanese music, food, crafts, culture, and martial arts.
JGS Northern held an exhibition to promote the Society and attract new members.
This year’s Matsuri will be at the Palm House in Sefton Park, Liverpool, on August 31st — come and enjoy a Japanese experience!
Tatton Japanese Garden
Tatton Park, in Knutsford, Cheshire, is our iconic Japanese garden. A small team of JGS volunteers visits weekly, with additional support on occasion. Recent work includes removing invasive Rhododendron Ponticum from the lake’s banks, revealing a beautiful view of the shrine. A maintenance effort is underway to prepare the garden for the National Conference in mid-May.
Valley gardens in Harrogate
This popular garden restored in 2016 from a 1920s original, continues to attract many visitors. It is maintained by the Friends of Valley gardens with help from a small group of JGS members.
Hall park Horsforth Leeds
This garden, built in 1987 in a former walled garden, was restored in 2009 and is undergoing further enhancements. The Friends of Hall Park maintain it every Saturday with help from JGS members. A new arbour provides shaded seating, and a new Tea garden with Tsukubai arrangement will be added using plants and artefacts from the Wentworth Woodhouse Long border competition.
See separate entry.
The region has several WhatsApp groups to help in the co-ordination of all our maintenance activities and we also have our own revitalized Facebook page which is now public and is open to all to peruse and comment:
Japanese Garden Society Northern Region | Facebook
If you would like to get involved in helping, either with practical maintenance or have suggestions for event/meetings please get in touch with your regional lead.
London and SE Region
Dates for your diary
Sunday 23rd March – Virtual Lecture Meeting Sarah Dixon (see above).
Sunday 25th May – Cottered Garden Visit
A rare opportunity to visit the historic Japanese garden at Cottered, considered the most significant of its kind in the UK. The garden is not usually open to the public, making this visit a special privilege.
Sunday 10th August – Culture Day Held at Gatton Hall.
This event will explore various aspects of Japanese culture beyond gardening. The venue overlooks a Capability Brown landscape and features a Japanese garden recently improved by Head Gardener Dan Ryan and his team.
Lecture Programme
The Southeast Region hosts regular lectures, with a shift to virtual formats post-Covid, enabling members across the region to participate from home. Typically, there are two main lectures in March and November/December. In December 2024, Ivor Mace spoke on chrysanthemums, and Laura McArthur, the latest RHS MHort Scholar, introduced herself. March 2025 will feature Sarah Dixon’s talk on the Adachi Museum Garden.
A special half-day lecture in January is funded by the Charles Eccles Memorial Fund, established through the sale of his library and tea bowl collection. In 2025, Tony Kirkham, former Head of Arboretum at Kew Gardens, delivered a captivating session on trees, praised by members for its engaging content. Recordings are available to members online.
Garden Visits in 2024
Lantern Cottage, Kent – June 2024 A visit timed for the iris bloom around the garden’s pond, with a Yatsuhashi bridge and a rest house offering scenic views. The garden, originally commissioned by Hugh Micklem after WWI, was restored based on designs from Josiah Conder’s book on Japanese landscape gardening. Members recalled its rediscovery and past pruning workshops by Japanese experts. A sunny day concluded with lunch and the AGM at a local pub.
Compton Acres, Dorset – August 2024 An out-of-region visit to this 10-acre garden, developed in 1920 by Thomas Simpson. It includes an Italian garden, wooded valley paths, and a Japanese garden with lanterns, bridges, and stepping stones. Members were joined by a South West region colleague and two enthusiastic dogs. Despite missing seasonal highlights like azaleas and wisteria, the garden charmed visitors, ending with a sociable pub lunch.
Gardens Supported by the Southeast Region
Gatton Park Dating from the early 20th century, Gatton Park’s Japanese garden was built under Mr. Coleman, owner of the estate. Restored in 1999 through Channel 4’s ‘Lost Gardens’ program, it is maintained by professionals and volunteers. JGS volunteers assist with maintenance and provide tray garden activities on open days. The venue frequently hosts regional meetings, including Culture Day 2025.
Hammersmith Park Originally part of the 1910 Japan-Britain Exhibition, this garden was later converted into a public park. Restoration efforts in 2010 introduced Japanese elements. JGS volunteers contribute pruning expertise and raise public awareness through presentations and displays on the garden’s history. They also participate in community events and tray garden activities.
Great Ormond Street Hospital A roof garden, ‘Bridge over Mountain Stream,’ designed by Maureen Busby in 2000, provides a tranquil retreat for patients, families, and staff. JGS volunteers have maintained the garden for over 16 years.
Hatch Mill Nursing Home A courtyard garden was redesigned in 2013 by Robert Ketchell and built by volunteers. JGS members continue to maintain the space, enhancing residents’ well-being.
Kew Gardens JGS members collaborate with Kew staff, participating in acer pruning workshops led by senior arborists. It is a unique opportunity to work within these prestigious gardens.
Kingston Lacy The Southeast and Southwest Regions jointly support maintenance activities at Kingston Lacy’s Japanese garden. Pruning and upkeep sessions involve members from both regions.
Scholarship
The Southeast Region sponsors the RHS MHort Scholarship, supporting professional gardeners pursuing the MHort qualification. In 2024, Morgan Rowlands completed the program, while Laura McArthur began her studies. This initiative complements the national JGS bursary scheme.
If you would like to get involved in helping, either with practical maintenance or have suggestions for event/meetings please get in touch with your regional lead.