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Bennetts Water Gardens facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
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The Monet Bridge at Bennetts Water Gardens

Bennetts Water Gardens is a beautiful 8-acre garden located in Chickerell, near Weymouth, in southern England. It is famous for its amazing collections of water lilies from all over the world. These lovely plants bloom from late May through to September, filling the ponds and lakes with color. A special feature of the garden is a blue Japanese bridge. It was built in 1999 to celebrate 100 years since the famous artist Claude Monet painted his well-known artwork, Water Lily Pond 1899.

The Bennett family created these gardens and still manage them today. The land where the gardens now sit has an interesting past. As far back as 1859, it was a clay pit. Workers used to dig Oxford Clay by hand from the ground to make bricks. Today, a museum at the garden shares details about this local history. You can learn about Chickerell village, which is even mentioned in the old Domesday Book. The museum also tells stories about Chesil Beach and The Fleet lagoon.

What Are Water Lilies?

Water lilies are beautiful plants that grow in water. They have large, round leaves that float on the surface, and their flowers can be many different colors. The collection of Nymphaea (which is the scientific name for water lilies) at Bennetts Water Gardens is very special. It is recognized by Plant Heritage as a National Plant Collection. This means it's an important collection that helps protect different types of plants.

Exploring the Gardens

When you visit Bennetts Water Gardens, you can walk around and enjoy the peaceful ponds. You'll see many different kinds of water lilies, each with its own unique shape and color. The blue Japanese bridge is a great spot for photos and to imagine Monet painting his famous scenes. The museum offers a chance to step back in time and learn about the area's history, from its clay-digging past to its natural wonders.

External links

  • Great British Gardens
  • Visit Dorset
  • West Dorset District Council's Tourism website
  • RHS Garden Finder

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Jardín Acuático Bennetts para niños

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