Inspired by Buddhist principles, The Meditation Garden offers a tranquil, immersive space for mindfulness, meditation, and reconnection with the natural world.
Designed in collaboration with the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Temple, the garden invites visitors to pause, reflect, and embrace stillness.
Its layout guides guests along a raised boardwalk through calming, naturalistic planting and gently undulating spaces for sitting or reclining.
The journey leads past a serene pond, fed by a rainwater-fed stream, to a central meditation point beneath a bodhi-like tree, a symbol of enlightenment and peace.
A champion of sustainable design, the garden is being built with reclaimed materials to minimise its carbon footprint while highlighting the harmony between nature and conscious living.
After a rigorous selection process, the garden was designed by one of the College’s students, Sarah Coe. Sarah has worked collaboratively with the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Temple in creating the design.
Level three Horticulture students at the College’s Broomfield Hall site are creating the show garden.
Leading the project is Paul Brady, Teacher of Horticulture at Derby College Group, whose career has included working with the BBC, ITV, Channel 5 and Sky on garden and landscape design productions.
His passion for sustainable, meaningful spaces is at the heart of this garden’s ethos.
Paul Brady said:
“This garden isn’t just about plants and paths, it’s about creating a space where people can slow down, breathe, and reconnect with themselves and the natural world.
“It’s a reminder that simplicity and sustainability can coexist beautifully. Working with the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Temple has been a genuine privilege, and I hope this garden will inspire others to find moments of calm in their daily lives.”
The Meditation Garden builds on Derby College’s impressive horticultural credentials after last year the College’s design team scooped a Platinum Garden Award at the same show for their Derbyshire-inspired garden, celebrating local history and craftsmanship.
The horticulture study programme at Derby College continues to thrive, offering students hands-on experience in surveying, design, plantsmanship, and construction, ideal for those aiming to establish their own gardening businesses or careers in the landscape industry.
Find out more about our Horticulture curriculum area or BBC Gardeners’ World Live.
