Tuesday 9 March 2027, 10:30-11:30 in the Clagett Auditorium 

Paradise Gardens are lush havens designed to provide a cool, peaceful, and sensory retreat from harsh desert environments.

In ancient times, these formal, and symmetrical enclosed green spaces originated in Persia. The word ‘paradise’ comes from the old Persian word pairidaeza, meaning ‘enclosed garden’ and the Book of
Genesis refers to the Garden of Eden as a Paradise Garden.

Prior Wibert created one within The Precincts as part of his waterworks scheme. The most traditional form is a rectangular garden split into four quarters with a pond in the centre, a four-fold design called chahar bagh or ‘four gardens’.

Jo Arnell, garden designer and regular contributor to the Wealden Times will talk to Friends about the history of these gardens which spread throughout Egypt and the Mediterranean during the Muslim Arabic conquests, reaching as far as India and Spain. She will give examples of how the gardens are created, explain their symbolism, and where such gardens can be found today.

This event is organised by and in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Registered Charity No 1210093).