Accessibility Guide

Welcome

The Japanese Garden at Cowden is centrally located in Clackmannanshire; located on Upper Hillfoots Road between Muckhart and Dollar, the garden can be accessed off the A91, half a mile west of Muckhart.

Our pathways have been updated to offer a more accessible visit for wheelchair users. Please be aware that areas of our Woodland Walk can become inaccessible for wheelchairs in certain weather.

Please get in touch if you require any further information about specific access or need advice on planning your visit.

Getting Around The Garden

From the main entrance to the gardens, there is level access however the route is sloped. The route is a minimum 200cm wide and the surface of the paths to and around the garden is loose gravel.

Paths slope upwards at various points; while people using motorised scooters rarely have an issue, most people in manual wheelchairs may need assistance.

The Welcome Gate

The Garden Pavilion

The Zig Zag Bridge

The Azumaya

Garden Bridges

Additional Cowden Walks

Places To Eat and Drink

Getting Around Indoors

Visual Impairment - General Information

We have high colour contrast between walls and outside doorframes.

All pathways are kept clear.

Ticket/Information desk

Our ticket desk is easily accessible from the main entrance.

Accessible Toilet

There is 1 accessible toilet which is inside our main building. From the main entrance to the accessible toilet, there is level access. The toilet door is 80cm wide.

The toilet has handrails and an Emergency Alarm pull cord.

At A Glance

Level Access

There is level access from the main entrance to:

- The Tearoom

- The Japanese Garden

- The Christie Walk

There is level access from the car park to:

- The Picnic Area

- Woodland Walk.

Visual

- The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.

- The menu is in large print.

General

- We have a complimentary ticket policy for visitors with disabilities. We have a concessionary rate for carers.

- We have 1 accessible toilet.

How To Get Here

Travel by public transport

You can get to The Japanese Garden by bus however a walk is included.

The nearest bus stop is Cowden Farm Road End. This bus stop is 1.9miles / 3.1km from The Japanese Garden. The walk from the nearest bus stop takes approximately 40 minutes and is mostly uphill.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with S B Taxis by calling 01259 215444. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

Parking is free.

We have a large carpark on-site. There are accessible parking spaces less than 50 metres from the main entrance. There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. 

Where to find us

The Japanese Garden at Cowden
Upper Hillfoot Rd, Dollar, FK14 7PL

March - October

Mon - Fri, 10:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday, 10:30am - 5:00pm
Sunday, 10:30am - 5:00pm

October - March

Weds - Fri, 10:30am - 4:00pm
Saturday, 10:30am - 4:00pm
Sunday, 10:30am - 4:00pm

Get directions

Arrival

Path To Main Entrance

From the carpark to the main entrance, including our new Disabled Carpark, there is a level but sloped path. The path is 200cm wide. The surface of the path from the carpark to the main entrance is loose gravel.

Main Entrance

The main entrance has level access. The main building door is 80cm wide and is is side hung and manual. We have a bell to call for assistance.

There is a very small bump at the entrance; most wheelchair users can get over it easily, and staff are always on hand to assist if necessary.

Customer Care

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for our visitors with disabilities.

Guide last updated: 29/07/2022