Pinetum Gardens
Photo: Jonathan Billinger / CC BY-SA 2.0, modified.
Overview
The Japanese Garden at Pinetum Gardens is one of the ten themed garden rooms at Pinetum Gardens, formerly Pine Lodge Gardens, in Holmbush, St Austell, Cornwall, England. The wider garden is a 30-acre botanical garden with more than 6,000 plant species, including woodland walks, an arboretum, a pinetum, water features, a lake and several themed garden areas. The official Pinetum Gardens map describes the Japanese Garden as a Shakkei garden created around an understanding of a “Zen” state of mind.
History
Pinetum Gardens developed from Pine Lodge Gardens, a site bought and developed by Ray and Shirley Clemo from the 1970s onward. Gardenvisit records that the wider garden was developed in 1976 by the previous owners, while older Pine Lodge press material says Ray and Shirley Clemo had owned the site since 1976 and developed it into a 30-acre garden. A 2005 press review states that the Japanese Garden was inspired by the Clemos’ visit to gardens in Kyoto, Japan.
Design features
The Japanese Garden is documented as a Shakkei-style garden within the larger Pinetum Gardens landscape. Gardenvisit describes it as an authentic Japanese garden with a tea pavilion, while other visitor-oriented descriptions mention a bridge, tea house, pebbles and pond. The garden is part of a wider sequence that also includes a woodland walk, bridge garden, cottage garden, arboretum, pinetum, winter garden, lake and wildflower meadow, courtyard garden and water garden.
Garden elements
Bridges
Buildings
Enclosures
Waters and islands
Stones
Other elements
Current status
The Japanese Garden remains part of Pinetum Gardens, which is currently promoted as a family-owned botanical garden and visitor attraction in Cornwall. The official site lists Pinetum Gardens as open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with tickets available and on-site accommodation also offered. (2026)