Abbotsbury is a long village with pretty yellow-stone and thatched or slate cottages. It has a famous Swannery which has existed since 1393 at least. Swans, once considered a table delicacy, were bred here as long ago as 1393 to provide food for the monastery at Abbotsbury village. The swannery (open) lies 3 mile south of the village in the lagoon formed by Chesil Bank. Some 560 swans and various species of geese, ducks, and other water birds live here. A notable 15th-century tithe barn and gateway survives from the ancient Benedictine monastery that stood here, and the 15th- to 16th- century church has a pulpit bearing the marks of Civil War bullets. Abbotsbury Gardens, 17 beautiful acres of rare sub-tropical plants, can be visited 13 miles west of the village. Excellent views are afforded by Chapel Hill, which is named after the 15th-century chapel that still stands on its exposed summit.  The beautiful sub-tropical gardens west of Abbotsbury have magnificent magnolias, camellias, lily-ponds and numerous rare plants. The road past them leads to Chesil Bank.

Local towns and villages to visit..

Bridport 

Beaminster

Chesil

Dorchester

Lyme Regis

Portland

Sherborne

Westbay

Weymouth

Attractions

MAP

 

Sailing

Sailing and water-skiing in Lyme Bay from Lyme Regis, West Bay and Portland.

Local Accommodation..

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