The Abbotsbury Swannery was established by the Benedictine Monks, who farmed the swans for food and for their feathers and quills. The quills were hardened in hot sand to make quill pens.

The sign at the top of the pole to the left of the entrance to Abbotsbury Swannery shows the height reached by flood water when Chesil Beach was breached by storms and a high tide.

The walks within Abbotsbury Swannery take you along shaded tree lined paths, edged by duck filled streams and swanny waterways.

Some of the inhabitants prefer the paths and have been known to monopolise the seats!

Fortunately most are cute and friendly and well used to people. They are also mute and friendly!

The cygnets hatch from their eggs from mid May to the end of June. The nests are often built on or near the pathways for rapid access to feeding time!

They then spend the next couple of months feeding and generally swanning around before they finally take to wing.

They always start off with that ugly duckling look and some have been known to get tearful.

But it always works out in the end!

Feeding time is the highlight of the day. A mad rush for the man with the wheelbarrow of food and someone has to take charge.

Just gather round

Then go for it.

The ticket kiosk includes a shop.

See the Abbotsbury Tourism web site:-

Abbotsbury Swannery