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You are here: Things To Do > Bennetts Water Gardens

Bennetts Water Gardens

Putton Lane
Chickerell
WEYMOUTH
Dorset
DT3 4AF

Add Bennetts Water Gardens to your Itinerary

  • Bennetts Water Gardens 60th Anniversary
  • The 'Monet' style Japanese bridge sitting over the Uk's largest National Plant Collection of waterlillies.
  • The 'Monet' style Japanese bridge sitting over national waterlilly collection.
  • Bennetts Water Gardens
  • Bennetts Water Gardens

Website

Email

Telephone: +44 (0)1305 785150

About

NOW CLOSED. REOPENS 22 MARCH 2021

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.

Opening Times

Gardens (22 March 2021 - 2 October 2021)
DayTimes

* Closed on Saturdays.

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult£6.50 per ticket
Adult Coach (12+ people)£6.50 per person per day
Adult Group (12+ people)£8.00 per ticket
Child (5-16)£4.00 per ticket
Child Group (12+ people)£4.00 per ticket
Family (2 adults & 2 children)£20.00 per ticket

Under 5's Free.
Season Tickets are available - please enquire
Group rates - one single payment is required to qualify for the discounted price. A further discount is available for groups arriving by coach.

Displaying Low Season Prices (31st March - 3rd May 2019)

Website

Email

Telephone: +44 (0)1305 785150

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bennettswatergardens

Follow Dorset on Twitter

Bennetts Water Gardens

BennettsWG

Bennetts Water Gardens

Honey Euryops (Euryops virgineus) cheering you the gardens on a grey day #yellow #flowers #wintergarden https://t.co/pYfuO8ajYl
22 Dec 2020   12:28:48
RT @visit_dorset: Many of Dorset's attractions offer annual passes - perfect for treating your loved ones at Christmas. Please suppor… https://t.co/K5Gu3EOumW
23 Nov 2020   18:09:05

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4 of 5 stars
263 reviews
  • Travelers Choice 2020
  • Excellent
    124
  • Very Good
    75
  • Average
    37
  • Poor
    18
  • Terrible
    9

Recent Reviews:

  • 33siang
    Cuckfield, United Kingdom
    Trip Type:
    Family
    Peaceful
    5 of 5 stars
    Sunday, 9th August 2020
    A well organised and peaceful setting. Good one way system in place, good Covid measures in place. The waterlilies were stunning with lots of opportunity’s for photos. Husband and daughter enjoyed a... Read full review
  • Ordessa
    Portsmouth, United Kingdom
    Hidden gem (dont go ...as we want to keep it for ourselves !!!)
    5 of 5 stars
    Monday, 10th August 2020
    A complete JOY! From the moment we were greeted by the lovely lady who checked us in (we were late due to traffic) to the moment we actually came back for a cream tea a Monets - it was a pleasure... Read full review
  • 158peteb
    Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom
    Great
    5 of 5 stars
    Sunday, 13th September 2020
    Went at the beginning of August 2020 the Gardens are very enchanting. The Gardens seem very popular and the Cream teas in the Cafe are to die for. Read full review
Write a review
© TripAdvisor 2021

Facilities

Other

  • Gift Shop

Accessibility

  • Guide Dogs Permitted - Registered Assistance Dogs must wear their Identifying Jackets and their Environmental Health and Identification Cards must be shown.
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
  • Ramp/Level Access
  • Toilets for Disabled Visitors

Attraction Facilities

  • No Dogs
  • Plant Sales
  • Shop

Catering

  • On-Site café/restaurant - New lakeside café overlooking the water gardens serving local home-cooked food. Seating for 60.
  • Picnic Site

Establishment Features

  • Available for wedding receptions
  • Cater for groups - guided tours available.
  • Conference facilities
  • Event venue
  • Free car parking
  • On-site coach parking
  • On-site Restaurant/Cafe
  • Picnic Area
  • Shop
  • Tea / Coffee Shop
  • Toilets
  • Wedding Venue

Key Features

  • Approx length of visit - 2 hours.
  • Groups
  • Max group size - 100
  • Outdoor Attraction
  • Weddings

Parking & Transport

  • On site parking - for cars and coaches. Free.
  • Parking (free)

Payment Methods

  • Blue Badge Guides admitted free
  • Contactless payment accepted
  • Delta accepted
  • Maestro accepted
  • MasterCard accepted
  • Min group size - 12
  • TIC Staff Admitted Free
  • Visa accepted

Printed Material in Foreign Languages

  • Dutch printed material
  • French printed material
  • German printed material

Specialist Features

  • Marketed towards families
  • Marketed towards senior citizens

Tours and Demonstrations

  • Educational Visits Accepted
  • Guided Tours Available for Groups - available for a supplementary charge of £1.50 per person, or a minimum charge of £30.

Travel & Trade

  • Group discounts available - for 12+ people paying together.
  • Wi-fi available

Venue Facilities

  • Groups Accepted - discounts available for 12+ people paying together.

Access Information

PARKING

Designated parking provided for guests with disabilities
Drop-off point for guests immediately outside the main entrance
Flat route with no steps from parking area to entrance
Parking is provided for visitors
Parking on site
With designated parking for visitors with disabilities
Within about 50 metres of the attraction
Route from the parking area to the nearest public entrance is:
Flat, ie. without steps
With a ramp

ACCESS TO PUBLIC AREAS (Displays, exhibits, rides etc)

Level access (i.e. no steps or thresholds) or access by a ramp or lift to:
Gift shop
Information point
Public toilet
Public toilet suitable for visitors who use a wheelchair
Ticket issuing point

CAFETERIA / RESTAURANT

Level access (i.e. no steps or thresholds) or access by a ramp or lift to the:
Cafeteria
Restaurant

GENERAL

Clear signage throughout the attraction (e.g. colour contrasted, large lettering, use of pictograms etc.)
Contrast markings on all glass doors and all full-height windows
Effective lighting throughout the attraction for visually impaired visitors e.g. pools of light and dark areas are avoided
Routes / pathways throughout the attraction suitable for visitors with limited mobility
Some routes
Routes / pathways throughout the attraction suitable for wheelchair users
Some routes
Seating available throughout the attraction at appropriate intervals, for visitors with limited mobility
Service dogs are NOT allowed in your attraction
Reason(s)Health & Safety - Deep Water/Narrow Pathways

This information is self-assessed; therefore we accept no liability for its accuracy. Please contact the venue for further information.

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Map & Directions

View Map

Road Directions

Nearest major road is A354. The gardens are two miles west of Weymouth near Chickerell on the B3157 coast road between Weymouth and Bridport. Follow brown signs.

Public Transport Directions

Nearest station is Weymouth station. By taxi from station. By bus: Take the Chickerell bus (8) from Weymouth Town Centre or Jurassic Coast (X53) between Bournemouth and Exeter. Get off at Chickerell Army Camp and we are a short walk down the road.

Website

Email

Telephone: +44 (0)1305 785150

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