Tucked away on a winding road in Chester, New Hampshire, Chester Hollow Water Gardens is the kind of place you might drive past twice before finding — but once you arrive, you'll understand why customers drive an hour or more to get there. This family-run operation, led by Charlie and Krista, is built around a single obsession: ponds. Koi ponds, waterfall features, water gardens — if it involves moving water and living things in your backyard, Chester Hollow has it covered.
The property itself doubles as a showroom. Winding paths lead visitors through a series of beautifully maintained display ponds stocked with koi and goldfish, each one showcasing different design possibilities. Reviewers describe it as 'magical' and 'aspirational,' and several mention bringing their families just to walk the grounds and hand-feed the fish.
It's part retail store, part outdoor gallery of what your yard could become. Inside, you'll find a solid selection of pond supplies — koi food, water plants, pumps, filtration equipment, and everything else needed to build and sustain a water feature. The live inventory includes imported koi and a variety of aquatic plants, and the staff is deeply versed in pond ecosystems, from startup advice to seasonal maintenance.
Multiple long-term customers credit Charlie and his team with designing and installing ponds ranging from modest backyard features to a massive 40-by-15-foot koi pond, with results that consistently exceed expectations. Chester Hollow also offers ongoing pond maintenance services, though a handful of reviewers note that scheduling repairs can require patience. The consultation process stands out — the team takes time to walk newcomers through everything from pond sizing and placement to potential pitfalls, making first-time pond owners feel supported rather than overwhelmed.
For anyone in southern New Hampshire considering a pond project or already maintaining one, Chester Hollow Water Gardens is the regional specialist worth the drive.
Jeffrey Runge
18 reviews
We recently had Chester Hollow Water Gardens install a 40’ x 15’ Koi pond in our backyard in Chester. It was the best decision ever. Charlie, and his crew, were amazing in every aspect from design to installation. They even assisted us in stocking it with Koi and water plants. The project went according to plan, and the project timeline. We initially met with Charlie to discuss size, function, and expectations. However, we left the overall design to Charlie. And, after all is done, we couldn’t be happier with the results. They exceeded our expectations in every detail of the project. We would highly recommend!!
Joyce Glynn
2 reviews
Chester Hollow did a fabulous job building my waterfall, but when it comes to repairs (and there are a lot needed because of chipmunks), Chester Hollow is the worst . I have left numerous messages only to get ignored and when they do call it's always "you are on the list". They got my 4,500 initially and can care less about their customers maintenance or repair after that. Be aware.
Pam
5 reviews
They gave us great advice on building a pond and have been a source of equipment, plants, and fish for years. This place is educational and aspirational. It's a decent drive for us (45 min, maybe more) but we look forward to visiting a couple times each summer for stuff we need or didn't know we wanted til we saw it.
Bill Fosnight
12 reviews
We bought a home with a koi pond and had no idea how much we would enjoy it every day. My wife and I feel blessed to have found Chester Hollow to teach us everything we needed to know and to help with keeping our pond looking great. Charlie, Krista and Candy are all awesome to work with. Can't imagine owning a pond without them!
Tanju Yurtsever
23 reviews
Nice place and nice stuff. They have everything you may need for your pond.
S D
Chester Hollow installed my first pond nine years ago and it came out perfectly. I loved it so much I had them build another one the next year and that one was also perfect. If I had room I would add another one. They maintain my ponds and give excellent service when needed. I would highly recommend contacting them if you are interested in having a beautiful pond. Pictures of my ponds attached they were just opened up and look great as usual and The water running over the falls is not only nice to see it sounds so relaxing.
Judy cook
56 reviews
Excellent place for water garden supplies. Many beautiful display ponds. Knowledgeable staff excellent service.
Stephany Wilson
144 reviews
Great store, nice selection of koi food! Easy to get to and only about 15 minutes off the highway. Friendly employees who are quite knowledgeable.
Mrs B
38 reviews
Visited for the first time the other day and was amazed. The owner is very nice and welcoming! She was knowledgeable and educated us about the Koi. I was impressed! I absolutely appreciated the fact that she made our visit exciting for my son! This place is very big so you will definitely spend some time walking around viewing the beautiful landscapes and ponds. Please support your local businesses, as this one definitely went above and beyond on our visit! They have fish, plants, pond supplies, you name it.
Ronnie Gora
4 reviews
Here at chester water garden they are the best
Note: Store information and services may change. Always call (603) 887-7874 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Chester Hollow Water Gardens.
Phone
(603) 887-7874Address
119 Haverhill Rd, Chester, NH 03036
Take control of your listing to update info and respond to reviews.
Claim This ListingFind on Map
119 Haverhill Rd, Chester, NH 03036
February 7, 2026
Verified Data
Information verified through Google Places API and community contributions.
Other aquarium shops nearby worth checking out