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 | | | | | | | | | |  BBC Copyright | | At eight miles long, the Fleet is the largest tidal lagoon in the UK. Visitors can enjoy an amazing bird spectacle in mid summer at the swannery at its western end. The area also features one of nature's geological wonders - Chesil Beach. | |  | Take a trip to our lakes, lagoons and rivers where you're guaranteed to find some extraordinary wildlife. | |  | - Go Badger and Otter spotting in Scotland or get close to cygnets on a Swan Safari in Dorset.
| | | Abbotsbury and Fleet Lagoon - Visitor Guide | | Address: | Swannery, New Barn Road, Abbotsbury, near Weymouth, Dorset. | | Postcode | DT3 4JG | | Telephone: | Swannery - 01305 871858 Fleet Observer boat trips - 01305 759692 Chesil Bank and the Fleet Nature Reserve - 01305 760579 | | e-mail | info@abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk | | Location map: | Multimap of Chesil and Fleet area | | Grid reference: | Grid reference: SY679788 | | Key attractions: | Swannery. Chesil Beach geology. | | Essential kit: | Camera for great close up shots of the Swans. | | Nature watching: | Swannery - cygnets are born from late Spring through to early summer. The best time to visit is between mid-May to late June when hundreds of cygnets hatch from eggs in nests near the pathways. There are also mass Swan feeding sessions daily.
Trips on the Fleet Observer glass bottom boats set off from Wyke Regis - just before you cross the bridge to the Isle of Portland. The Fleet Observer sails daily, weather permitting, from Easter to end October. The trips are run approx six times daily at 9.30am, 10.45am, 12.00noon, 1.30pm, 2.45pm and 4pm. An additional trip takes place at 5.30pm in August. The boat trips last one hour. Speciality trips can also be run. | | Facilities: | No dogs permitted at the Swannery. | | Access: | Disabled Access: All paths at the Swannery are accessible by wheelchair. Also some wheelchairs available on loan free of charge. Disabled toilets by the car park and in the restaurant. | | Getting there: | By car: Abbotsbury is located in Dorset. Leave the A35 at Winterborne Abbas west of Dorchester. Abbotsbury lies on the B3157 road between Weymouth and Bridport. Look out for the signposts to the Swannery on entering the village.
By bus: The X53 Coast Bus service runs regularly through Abbotsbury. Swannery: Free parking for cars and coaches. Fllet Observer boat trips: boats leave from the jetty by the Oyster Farm and Restaurant on Ferrymans's Way in Wyke Regis. | | Opening times: | Open daily between 17th March to 28th October, 10.00am to 5.00/6.00pm. | | Charges: | Admission charge to swannery: Adults £8; Children £5: Students and OAPS £5. Group rates available. |
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