Bennetts Water Gardens on BBC Antiques Road Trip

Bennetts Water Gardens in Chickerell was used as a backdrop for presenters Irita Marriott and James Braxton in yesterday's episode, which aired at 4.30pm.

The episode, which was filmed on Friday, May 28 saw antiques experts set off on a road trip around the county searching for porcelain and brass treasures in a bid to make the most money at auction.

BBC film crews at Bennetts Water Gardens. Picture: James Bennett

Presenters Irita Marriott and James Braxton. picture: James Bennett

Angie Bennett, whose father-in-law Norman Bennett built the water gardens from the ground up, said it was a day of excitement when BBC film crews pulled up.

She said: "I was contacted by the BBC on the Monday and they were here filming on the Friday.

"It was so exciting. The two presenters arrived in a classic Volvo.

"They filmed at the Wimborne Model Town a day earlier. They told me they like to film in unique locations, which was great to hear.

"The presenters pulled up two of our benches and filmed between our White Lily Pond and the Show Pond.

"The south Dorset area is rich in antiques history - especially with Duke's Auctioneers in Dorchester."

READ MORE: Popular Dorset model town to appear on TV

Picture: BBC

Picture: BBC

The presenters pulled up two of our benches and filmed between our White Lily Pond and the Show Pond. Picture: BBC

Mrs Bennett said it was not the first time the gardens have appeared on the BBC. In 2012, the gardens appeared on Gardeners World, presented by Carol Klein.

The water gardens, in Putton Lane, built on the site of a former brick works in 1959, has special features including a garden bridge based on Claude Monet's Japanese Bridge entitled Water Lily Pond (1899).

Angie Bennett stood inside the gardens wooden gazebo, which is most commonly used during wedding ceremonies. Pic: Sam McKeown

The show featured the garden's renowned Monet-style Japanese Bridge, which overlooks the National and International collection of water lilies - one of only six in the world.

"We decided to make the Monet bridge after we realised part of the gardens looked very similar to the painting due to our willow trees," said Mrs Bennett.

"What many people don't know is there's another link with Claude Monet, which happened completely by chance.

"Our garden has always been famed for its lilies, and my father-in-law Norman visited Marliac’s nursery in Bordeaux, France in 1959. Monet also bought his own water lilies from the same Marliac’s nursery and we found that out after we created the bridge."

The gardens are now run by Mrs Bennett's son and lily expert James.

To watch the episode, click here

Mrs Bennett stood in front of the garden's renowned Monet-style Japanese Bridge, which overlooks the National and International collection of water lilies. Picture: Sam McKeown