The Japanese tea garden at Kingston Lacy was featured alongside six others in a list from The Times. Discussing the reasons for creating the list, the newspaper wrote: "The British-Japanese Exhibition of 1910, a joint project to introduce Brits to Japanese heritage and culture through art, design and , prompted Gilbert & Sullivan to write The Mikado — and many a whimsical landowner to create their own Japanese-style garden. "Some remain today, tucked into the grounds of stately homes or as standalone curiosities, and show off east Asian foliage that comes alive in autumn.
"When you’re admiring the curves and trickles of a Japanese garden, remember nothing here is a coincidence: carefully designed with meaning behind every leaf and rock, they are often asymmetrical, with patches of blank space, audible water features and harmony between natural and man-made objects: a bridge or pavilion against a cascading tree." The full list of the UK's loveliest Japanese gardens can be found on . The Japanese tea garden at Kingston Lacy was praised for various features such as its "emerald reflection pool" and "delicate acer maples".
The garden was the brainchild of Henrietta Bankes, the lady of the manor at Kingston Lacy. The Times wrote: "A keen horticulturist, Bankes oversaw the installation of trembling bamboo stems, delicate acer maples, a rockery and emerald reflection pool. "The National Trust took over the estate’s care in 1982 and hosts plenty of fun events and workshops, inc.
