Abbotsbury Swannery

The Fleet lagoon formed at the end of the last ice age as melt water flooded behind the already formed Chesil Beach leaving shallow salty water in which plants grew profusely producing an ideal environment for wildfowl and water birds. The Benedictine monastery of St. Peter's was established on the site in the eleventh century when King Cnut gave the land to his steward, Orc, and the monks managed the swans as a ready source of meat for use at their lavish banquets. The swannery was used by the monks until 1539 when the monastery was dissolved by King Henry VIII. The ruined remains of the monastery are still visible near the Church of St. Nicholas, Abbotsbury. The site was then purchased by…

The Fleet, besides which the swannery sits, is the largest lagoon in England, and runs for about 13 km along the Dorset coast. It is brackish and tidal, but sheltered by Chesil Beach, and is a Ramsar site of international importance and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and has been a nature reserve since as early as 1393. The swannery is at its westerly extremity. Abbotsbury Swannery is today a tourist attraction and the swans have become accustomed to the presence of visitors and allow close but respectful approach even in the nesting season when cygnets are on the nest. Before viewing the swans, visitors can look at the Decoyman's House which sets the scene for the visit with a…

Abbotsbury Swannery was one of the filming locations for Patch Stop episodes of children's TV show Playdays. Abbotsbury Swannery features on the cover of the Martha and the Muffins 1980 hit "Echo Beach".