Having had a thoroughly cold and wet winter this year the gardens have finally begun to show signs of life again. Everything seems to have been delayed by the cold but we are finally seeing bud burst on the weeping willows, primroses flowering on the banks and most importantly leaves appearing on the water lilies!
Springtime in the gardens
March 26th, 2010Mothering Sunday
March 10th, 2009Treat your mum this Mothers Day to a 3 course lunch at Cafe Monet followed by an inclusive visit around Bennetts Water Gardens.
All bookings include complimentary chocolates for Mums, and FREE admission to Bennetts Water Gardens.
For further information or to make a booking call us on 01305 785150.
Mid-week Roast Special
January 28th, 2009Our mid-week roasts every Wednesday lunchtime continue through January & February at Café Monet.
Featuring a different meat each week, served with roast potatoes, vegetables and all the trimmings!
Main course £7.95, or have main plus a dessert for only £9.95!
Book now to avoid disappointment.
Autumn Plant Sale
September 26th, 2008Visit us this autumn and pick up a bargain from our plant nursery on end-of-season plants including aquatics, perennials, shrubs, trees and more.
Many of these have been raised on our own nursery and can be seen growing in the gardens here.
Sale on 6th October until 2nd November.
Mid-week Roasts & Christmas Turkey
September 26th, 2008We are now offering special mid-week roasts every Wednesday lunchtime at Café Monet.
Featuring a different meat each week, served with roast potatoes, vegetables and all the trimmings!
Book now to avoid disappointment.
Christmas is coming and we are now taking bookings for groups, parties and get-togethers.
Available 17th November to 19th December, Monday to Friday. Special arrangements for large group bookings on other days may be possible.
Please note that pre-booking and a deposit of £5 per person is required for the Christmas Menu.
Click here for more information on our
Christmas Menu.
New fun trail for the kids
July 23rd, 2008We have a new Family Nature Trail for children visiting this summer. The gardens, which are home to the national collection of water lilies, celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. The trail has been designed to be both fun and educational and to appeal to children of all ages. It is the ideal way to ensure your family have a fun time during your visit and children who complete their trail receive a special prize
Café Monet with its views over the water gardens is a great place for lunch and offers a range of meals including a children’s menu
Top Score on the Hygiene Door for Café Monet
May 12th, 2008Café Monet at Bennetts Water Gardens in Chickerell Weymouth has undergone a complete refurbishment and now caters for up to 60 covers in the stylish new lakeside dining area.
The new kitchen was recently spot checked by the Hygiene Inspector of West Dorset District Council. Angie Bennett said “we are extremely proud to have been awarded the Food Hygiene score of 5 stars (excellent) by West Dorset District Council.” The inspection covers Food Hygiene and Safety of Food, Cleanliness and structural conditions and confidence in management.
[ Results of this and other premises can be viewed on www.dorsetforyou.com search for scores on the doors ]
The stylish new Café has stunning views across the Water Gardens in which to enjoy the delicious cooking of Head Chef Mo Husain and her team.
Café Monet is open Sunday to Friday and has convenient on-site parking which it shares with the Water Gardens next door. The café is accessible without visiting the gardens.
Spring in the air?
February 19th, 2008Once again this year we have seen early signs of spring in the gardens. Despite some cold nights and ocassional frosts, the sunshine during the day has been warm enough to bring out flora and fauna.
The small bee pictured here (Bombus jonellus???) was one of two found on this heather. In January a number of the same type of bee were found on flowering hellebores.
One of the camelia’s in flower.
End of March
March 31st, 2007
By opening in March this year we have seen our first visitors already, earlier than the normal April 1st opening date. Despite a brief cold spell we have enjoyed some good weather this month, this has helped with the sending out of our the initial plant orders to distant customers, as well as customers picking up some pond plants from the nursery here.
This month has seen the small red Japanese bridge replaced like-for-like (see pic) after the old one had become rotten.
We will be closed on Saturday 7th April for our first wedding ceremony this year, however we will be open everyday over the Easter weekend.
Springtime in the gardens
March 16th, 2007Welcome to this new blog aimed at giving visitors to our gardens here in Weymouth an insight into what is happening throughout the year.
The warm weather we have been experiencing this month has made many plants burst into life. Primula’s and Cowslips have been flowering with the daffodils, and even the marsh marigolds are out. You can see the leaf growth on weeping willows improve day by day and many other trees are showing signs of bud burst.
We have been busy this spring clearing up the gardens following the winter months. The Gunnera have been left covered up for the time being to protect them from any late frosts (which seem inevitable in the next few days!).
The gardens open on Tuesday next week.