Tatton Park is home to an outstanding Japanese Garden, making it an ideal location for admiring the autumn foliage of the magnificent Japanese maples, for which this garden is renowned. The Sunday Times recently described it as one of the UK’s loveliest, and I agree. In addition to the autumn colour, however, it is the design principles of Japanese gardens, and how they interpret nature that interests me, and a few weeks ago I went on one of the seasonal tours to learn more about the history.

The Japanese Garden at Tatton dates back to 1910, when Alan de Tatton Egerton, 3rd Baron Egerton of Tatton, visited the Japan-British Exhibition in London. He was so inspired by what he saw, he enlisted a team of Japanese gardeners to help design and build a truly authentic garden back in Cheshire.

A copy of the original cover of the brochure for the Japan British Exhibition in 1910. A copy of the original cover of the brochure for the Japan British Exhibition in 1910. (Image: Tatton Park) Over time, it fell into disrepair but restoration efforts began in the late 1990s. Head gardener at the time, Sam Youd, travelled to Japan and met with Professor Masao Fukuhara of Osaka University, an expert in the history of Japanese Gardens and how to create them.

Coincidentally, Professor Fukuhara was designing a show garden at RHS Chelsea as part of the Japan 2001 Festival, for which he would go on to win a gold medal and the coveted Best in Show award. The professor was able to negotiate 50 per cent of the money for the £200,000 project from a Japanese Expo Fund, making it financially feasible. With additional support from the National Trust and Cheshire County Council, restoration work took place in 2000/2001 under the guidance and enthusiasm of the professor. The result is the magnificent Japanese Garden we have today.

The Almond-eye bridge is so named because the bridge and its reflection in the water create the shape of an almond, and this leads to the Shinto Shrine, which is flanked by two spring flowering camellias. The Almond-eye bridge is so named because the bridge and its reflection in the water create the shape of an almond, and this leads to the Shinto Shrine, which is flanked by two spring flowering camellias. (Image: Alison Moore) The essential rules for any Japanese Garden design are Enclosure, Space, Balance and Borrowed Scenery. Water is a key element, and Tatton has four streams originating from the one spring. The way the plants, stones and structures have been placed creates a sense of natural balance and space, and while the garden is enclosed partly for practical purposes these days, the neighbouring arboretum gives an impressive backdrop and is the perfect borrowed landscape. Structures such as the Shinto Shrine and thatched Tea House, which came from Japan, along with architectural ornaments such as the stone lanterns, provide a contrast to the planting and help tell a story.

Paths, particularly stepping stone paths, are used to great effect here and ensure the garden is viewed in the way the designer intended. Our volunteer guide, Alison Hoverstadt, told us when we came across a set of parallel stones, it was because we were meant to pause and look at a particular view.

Reflections of Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku'Reflections of Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku' (Image: Alison Moore) The planting in a Japanese Garden is always understated to give a sense of calm. Green is the dominant colour and the key plants are the tall pine trees, Japanese maples (acers) and the azaleas. Where the English style is to plant a variety of groundcover plants, moss is widely used to great effect and thrives in the damp and shady conditions. Acer palmatum trees have particularly delicate open structures, as well as stunning autumn colours.

On my visit, I was particularly struck by the Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ whose colour changed to a glorious orange exceptionally early this year. In November, when the leaves finally fall, the different varieties of maples create a carpet of red, orange and gold.

Acer leaves falling onto a carpet of moss. Acer leaves falling onto a carpet of moss. (Image: Alison Moore) The evergreen azaleas, which provide another level of planting, are carefully cloud-pruned by the Japanese Garden Society, which carries out the maintenance of the garden, so by necessity, many flowers have to be sacrificed. Come here in spring, however, and you will see the Mount Fuji Cherry Blossom Tree Prunus ‘Shirotae’ in all its glory.

The Japanese Garden can be viewed from the perimeter throughout the year and is open for special guided tours every Wednesday and Saturday from March to the end of October. It was a real treat for me to join one of these tours led by experienced guides Alison Hoverstadt and Pauline ((((???surname to come), and a special thanks must also go to Roger Hume, who has been a volunteer at Tatton for 25 years. Roger was the guide when the Japanese Garden first reopened after the renovation in 2001. He is a mine of information and a delight to chat to, and I’m pleased to say, an avid reader of this magazine.

A tranquil scene with the Tea House in the background and a pair of cranes in the water. In Japan, these birds represent good luck and longevity. A tranquil scene with the Tea House in the background and a pair of cranes in the water. In Japan, these birds represent good luck and longevity. (Image: Alison Moore)

Alison Moore of Renaissance Garden Design is a garden designer and photographer based in Sale. She writes a blog about her garden and other gardens she visits in Cheshire.

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Tatton Park events

o Yuletide: A Glittering Winter Garden Adventure: Saturday, November 16-Sunday, December 22.

o Journey to Oz: The Christmas Mansion: Saturday, November 23-Sunday, December 29.

o Christmas Wreath Making with North and Flower: Saturday, November 30-Sunday, December 1.