Watson was born in London and spent most of her life in Dorset and was inspired by watching masons carving Purbeck stone, close to her family home there.

[5][2][6] In 1937, Watson had her first solo exhibition, consisting of pieces in terracotta, marble, wood and alabaster, at the Mansard Gallery at Heal's in Tottenham Court Road.

[8] Watson returned to England in 1938 and remained there during World War II, which she spent doing farm work at Dunshay Manor and teaching art and sculpture in schools throughout Dorset.

These included two commissions from the architect Sir Frederick Gibberd for Magic Beast for Crofton Common Infant School at Longbridge and for Chiron Teaching the Young Hero for Harlow New Town.

Watson bequeathed the property to the Landmark Trust who, after a lengthy legal argument with Margot's daughter, Hetty Baynes, restored the Manor and began hosting public events there in April 2019.