Bennetts Water Gardens

About

*LATEST UPDATE* Bennetts Water Gardens has now re-opened. There are limits on the number of people who can visit and you will need to book a ticket in advance of your visit.

Situated on the Jurassic Coast, on the edge of Chickerell Village, is Bennetts Water Gardens. This third generation family run business is on an eight acre site of tranquil lakes and a world famous lily collection. The gardens hold the National Plant Collection© of Water Lilies with a Monet style Bridge as the centrepiece. If you have never seen over 140 different varieties of water lilies producing thousands of flowers spread across acres of water, then Bennetts Water Gardens in Weymouth is worth a few hours of your time.

In 1959 the founder, Norman Bennett, planted the very first water lilies here in the disused clay pits that was once the site of a brick works. This provided an ideal growing area for water lilies, which have been propagated over the years for sale to public and trade alike. Initially most of our stock was sent to other aquatic suppliers and plant nurseries in Britain, this means that it is quite likely that many water Lilies around the country are descendants of Weymouth stock. Bennett's Water Lilies have also been exported in large quantities all over the world. In 1990 Bennetts’ produced several seedlings, and one turned out to be quite special and was named Nymphaea ‘Weymouth Red’. This delightful small growing water lily was sent to the USA to enter the International Trials of New Varieties Arboretum in Washington. In August 1988 it was awarded Best Small Water Lily.

The site has changed considerably since 1959, Norman retired in 1988 and his son Jonathan has guided the gradual transformation into the landscaped gardens of today. Jonathan strives to continue the work started in the mid 1970’s to evolve and improve the gardens for future generations. Grass pathways lead you through the series of ponds and lakes surrounded by wetland plants, native trees, palms, wild plants and flowers. The 8 ponds are home to over 140 water lilies that flower from May to September (with June, July and August producing the maximum number of blooms). The gardens are a registered 'Site of Nature Conservation' and home to abundant wildlife, including Deer, Badgers, Foxes, Water Voles, Coots, Mallards, Moorhens, visiting Herons, Kingfishers and other birds. Most species of British Dragon flies have been identified here in the summer months. There are amphibians such as Newts and frogs to be seen if you look closely enough. There are scenic places to sit and unwind, with shaded woodlands walks to explore. The tropical house contains exotic plants including a cacti collection and of course Water Lilies in the fish pond. There is also a family nature trail to help keep younger visitors interested. Jonathan’s son, James, has bought new skills to the business by developing the online sales which continues to send lilies all over the world. He also manages the gardens and has bought in many new and exciting ideas. His largest role is as head gardener, with his green fingers potting up new plants to keep the gardens and plant nursery well stocked.

Claude Monet’s painting of his Japanese Bridge entitled Water Lily Pond (1899) inspired the construction of a replica bridge here in the gardens. It was officially opened in July 1999, the centenary of the painting. The picturesque setting here is now very similar to Monet’s Giverny Garden, with a mature weeping willow falling onto the water met by ‘hundreds’ of water lilies which the Bennetts’ bought from Marliac’s nursery in Bordeaux, France in 1959. Monet also bought his own water lilies from the same Marliac’s nursery. Visitors and artists alike can now enjoy the Monet view in Weymouth.

After visiting our gardens you are led through the museum which contains over 150 years of local history including Chickerell Village (mentioned in the Doomsday Book) here is a wealth of information about the once thriving Chickerell Brickworks, one of which is now home to the gardens. Chickerell itself has St. Mary’s Church dating back to 1260 with its old Norman font and Pulpit that dates to 1660. There is also local information about Chesil Beach & Fleet Lagoon which are located on Dorset’s World Heritage Site, a truly spectacular sight not to be missed on a visit to Dorset.