Explore eight acres of naturalistic gardens

This 8 acre garden holds National and International Collections of Water Lilies with a Monet style Japanese Bridge as the centrepiece. Some 300 different varieties produce tens-of-thousands of flowers from late spring through to autumn, creating one of the most outstanding displays of water lilies in Britain.

Grass pathways lead you through the series of ponds and lakes surrounded by wetland plants, specimen trees, palms, wild plants and flowers. The gardens are a registered ‘Site of Nature Conservation Interest’ and home to abundant wildlife. There are scenic places to sit and unwind and shaded woodland walks to explore. The Tropical House displays exotic plants, a cactus garden and new Lotus plant collection.

The museum contains over 150 years of local history including Chickerell village (mentioned in the Domesday Book) and Chesil Beach & Fleet lagoon on Dorset’s World Heritage Jurassic Coast. plus the fascinating history of this site from the Brickworks & Clay Pits of 1859 through to the gardens of today. 

The Claude Monet connection - many of the original water lilies planted here by the Bennett family in 1959 came from the same nursery in France that supplied Monet’s garden in Giverny, and the varieties that Monet painted are among the collections held here today. The Monet style Japanese Bridge was commissioned here in 1999 to commemorate 100 years since Monet’s painting ‘Water Lily pond 1899’ and recreates the painting of a bridge over a water lily pond. 

Visitor Centre & Shopping - you can enjoy Free Customer Parking and Free Entry to the Gift Shop, Specialist Plant Nursery & Café. Pick a gift or choose from the selection of quality plants and water lilies grown on site.