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Abbotsbury Swannery
Summary
A colony of mute swans has lived in this sanctuary since medieval times.
Wander amid nests of newborn cygnets in spring, and observe the swans
at close hand.
The Swannery
There has been a swannery at Abbotsbury since at least the 14th century.
The swannery may have been established by the monks of Abbotsbury Abbey,
but it seems more likely that they simply took advantage of a natural
swan habitat provided by the shelter of Chesil Bank.
 The
swans
Mute swans are not silent, as their name might suggest; rather, the
name refers to the fact that their call is not loud. The mute swan is
native to Europe and Asia, though it has been introduced in other areas.
The colony at Abbotsbury is properly the Abbotsbury Colonial Nesting
Herd.
They come to Abbotsbury because the sluggish waters of The Fleet, sheltered
from the sea by the 8 mile long stetch of shingle known as Chesil Bank,
has created here a habitat lush in "eel grass", underwater
plants on which they feed.
The unique joy of Abbotsbury Swannery is the opportunity it provides
to observe newborn cygnets (baby swans) at close hand. From late May,
visitors can wander amid the nests, and see the cygnets at close distance.
The swans provided meat for the monks long ago, but today they provide
feathers for the helmets of the Gentlemen at Arms; the Queen's bodyguard.
in addition, Lloyds of London use quills from Abbotsbury swan feathers
to register insurance losses in their "Doom" book.
Visitors can enjoy an educational "Ugly Guckling Trail" which
helps explain the swannery in a family-friendly way, and an audio-visual
show.
Getting There
Abbotsbury Swannery is located south of the B3157, and is signposted
from the Abbotsbury High Street. Abbotsbury is located 9 miles west
of Weymouth.
Opening
Open late March - end October. For current opening times see the official
Abbotsbury
Swannery website.
Contact
Abbotsbury Swannery
New Barn Road
Abbotsbury
Dorset
DT3 4JG
Tel 01305 871858
Fax 01305 871092
Email: info@abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk
Web: www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/swannery.html
Related:
Abbotsbury
Photo Gallery
Abbotsbury
Sub Tropical Gardens
St
Catherine's Chapel
Chesil
Bank and The Fleet
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