Abbotsbury Swannery

This is the only place in the world where you can wander through the middle of a colony of nesting Mute Swans – and the gorgeous Dorset coast backdrop makes it all the more special. Abbotsbury Swannery was actually set up by Benedictine Monks back in the eleventh century as a means for rearing juicy birds for wealthy Dorset aristocratic feasts. These days, thankfully they are revered rather than eaten and visiting the swannery has become a favourite family outing for locals. Make sure you time your visit with mass feedings at midday and 4pm when more than 600 swans clatter about squawking for lunch and tea. There’s also a Willow Maze and a play area for kids who need to expend a little more energy before bedtime.

Abbotsbury Swannery is part of the following Editors' Picks:

Five of the Best Animal Attractions by William Gray

"From mid-May to late June, hundreds of fluffy grey cygnets hatch from nests at this glorious swan sanctuary on the Dorset coast – and you can get close-up views thanks to a network of paths that thread through the swannery’s maze of reedbeds and waterways. Help out with the hand feeding of up to 600 swans, daily at 12 and 4pm, and see if you can crack the puzzle of the giant willow maze."

Places to Stay & Visit in DorsetPlaces to Stay & Visit in or near Abbotsbury

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Information on Abbotsbury Swannery , Nature Park , Abbotsbury Tourism Ltd , Abbotsbury

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