Abbotsbury lies to the west of Weymouth and Portland in a sheltered valley adjacent to the Fleet Lagoon and Chesil Beach.

The village of Abbotsbury is a picturesque mix of thatched cottages and slate roof buildings. In particular there is an excellent craft shop which sells everything from small gifts to furniture, all made from carved wood.

The parish church of St Nicholas, Abbotsbury and the ruins of the 11th century Benedictine Abbey can be found down a small turning just off the main street.

Look for two bullet holes in the church pulpit! These date back to the civil war. The Abbey ruins can be seen beyond the remains of its gateway.

St Peters Monastery Abbotsbury, built around 1040, was destroyed in 1539 by Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries. The Abbey, Manor and all associated lands were granted to Sir Giles Strangeways the Earl of Ilchester.

St Catherine's Chapel Abbotsbury, a local landmark, is the only part of the Monastery still remaining.

The Abbotsbury Swannery was established by the Benedictine Monks, who farmed the swans for food and for their feathers and quills, which 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.

Meanwhile over in the Sub-Tropical Gardens.

The 20 acres of the Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens contain many rare and exotic plants from all over the world.

They were originally established by the first Countess of Ilchester in 1765 as a kitchen garden for her nearby summer home, built in the form of a mock castle.

Subsequent generations of Fox-Strangeways extended the gardens still further.

Within the gardens you will find some amazing statues.

The combination of Abbotsbury Village, the Swannery and Tropical Gardens make for a wonderful day out.

See the Abbotsbury Tourism web site:-

Abbotsbury