Look inside the hidden 'Japanese Garden' dubbed a 'gem in Wolverhampton'

Nestled away in the town of Tettenhall is a little-known Japanese Garden that has been providing a quiet moment of respite and reflection for bereaved relatives for more than 30 years.

Located in Danescourt Cemetery, the award-winning garden is quietly tended to by dozens of enthusiastic volunteers, all with the hope of bringing a sense of Japanese tranquillity to the region's needy.

Whilst the grounds are owned by Wolverhampton Council, the garden was set up by the hidden green thumb volunteers with the Japanese Garden Society (JGS), a group that looks to educate people in the ways of Japanese horticulture and ground maintenance, and bring a moment of calm to communities across the country.

The garden uses the technique of Shakkei, a form of Japanese gardening that incorporates elements from outside of a normal garden, such as miniature buildings, lakes, and hills, to create the illusion of a sprawling, yet enclosed landscape.

The garden was designed by Peter Bridge, a former member of JGS from Solihull, and whilst he had never visited Japan, he had spent his life studying Zen meditation, developing a rich love for the nation’s distinctive styles.

The often-unheard of garden had even won an award for its intense beauty, receiving the Heart of England in Bloom award for the best Landscape Garden in the Heart of England in 2011.

The following year, it placed second in a Royal Horticultural Society competition.

The garden follows the example of ‘Kersansui’, otherwise known as ‘Japanese rock’', or ‘Zen garden’, and uses carefully placed rock, moss and raked gravel and sand to represent mountains, islands and water in a minimalist space.

“It’s remarkably peaceful,” says Sarah Chambers, who visited the garden last year.

“It’s hidden well; you wouldn’t know it was there if you didn’t already have to go to the cemetery I suppose. But it’s absolutely lovely.”

The gardens held maintenance event on July 4, with all green thumbs invited to attend to help maintain the picturesque grounds.