Norman Bennett planted his first water lilies here in 1959, in the disused clay pits of an old brickworks near Weymouth. Many came from the French nursery that had supplied Monet’s garden at Giverny, and a blue Japanese bridge was added in 1999 to match. Eight acres of lily lakes now hold a national collection, best from late May to September, with a tropical house and woodland walk. Paid seasonal entry; Weymouth station is about 3km east.
