Abbotsbury
Swannery
nr Weymouth, Dorset
|
Location Guide |
| Abbotsbury
Swannery is unique. This is the only place in the world where you are able to
walk through the heart of a colony of free-flying nesting Mute Swans. Sheltered
by Chesil Beach this ancient site provides protection of hundreds of nesting
swans and their broods.
The Swannery was established by Benedictine
Monks who built a monastery at Abbotsbury during the 1040's.
The monks farmed the swans to produce food for
their lavish banquets. St Peter's monastery was destroyed in 1539 during the
dissolution. Some of the ruins are still visible around St Nicholas' Church in
the village. Since that time the Swannery has been under the stewardship of the
Ilchester Estates.
Swan feathers played an incalculable role in
England's cultural development. It was from them hardened in hot sand, that
quill pens were cut.
|
|
During nesting
and hatching period on average, over 100 nests produce over 600 cygnets. By the
end of May you can wander safely around the nests, observing close quarters the
antics of fluffy cygnets. Unlike river swans they are happy for you to walk
amongst the nests and at this time Baby Swans (Cygnets) can be photographed
leaving their eggs!
An audio visual show about the Swannery runs
hourly during the day.
.
Planning Grid
|
Location: |
Abbotsbury Swannery nr Weymouth, Dorset |
|
Grid Reference: |
SY576841 |
|
Getting there: |
Leave the A35 at Winterborne Abbas, west of
Dorchester. Abbotsbury is on the B3157 coastal road between Weymouth and
Bridport. The Swannery is sign posted on entering the village. |
|
Access: |
Clearly sign posted on entering the village.
From the Weymouth end of the village there is a sharp left-hand bend on the
approach to the swannery. |
|
Parking: |
Free Car park |
|
Facilities: |
Toilets at main entrance and in coffee shop.
Coffee Shop. No Public toilets in Swannery. Gift shop. Picnic site.
Audio-Visual tour |
|
Things To Do,
See and Photograph: |
Over 600 swans on lakes |
|
What to take: |
Lenses suitable for close ups, poloriser or
grads, white balance and watch out for lost highlights on the whites of the
swans, use appropriate exposures. |
|
Nature highlights: |
Mass feeding 12noon and at 4pm every day.
Late March-End of April: Nesting
Cygnets hatching from mid May to late June.
July-October: Ugly Ducklings
September-October: Learning to fly
October: Many swans move off site, influx of
other wildfowl. |
|
Address: |
New Barn Road
Abbotsbury
Nr Weymouth
Dorset |
|
Postcode: |
DT3 4JG |
|
Telephone: |
01305 871858 |
|
Opening times: |
15th March to 2nd November 10am-5pm, Bank
Holidays 10am-6pm |
|
Charges: |
Adult: £8.50 - OAP, Student, Disabled: £8 -
Child (5-15) £5.50
Passports also available to cover Swannery,
Gardens and Children's Farm from £10-15. |
|
Photo Restrictions: |
|
|
Other Restrictions: |
|
|
Special Needs Access: |
All paths are accessible by wheelchair. |
|
Special Needs Facilities: |
Two wheelchairs are available on free loan.
Disabled toilets by the car park and in the restaurant. |
|
Children Facilities: |
Baby changing facilities in public toilets at
entrance to park. Rustic playground with swinging nets and a bale mountain. |
|
Dogs Allowed: |
NO |
|
|
Please let us know any other information that we
can add to the Further information and Planning Grids or page and any errors that you discover. Before making a long trip to any location it is always
wise to double check the current information, websites like magazines may be
correct at the time the information is written, but things change and it is of
course impossible to double check all entries on a regular basis. If you have
any good photographs that you feel would improve the illustration of this page
then please let us have copies. In referring to this page it is helpful if you
quote both the Page Ref and Topic or Section references from the Grid below. To print the
planning grid select it then right click and print the selected area.
Please submit information on locations you discover so
that this system continues to grow.
|
