Abbotsbury Swannery

Swans everywhere. That's the first thing that hits you at Abbotsbury - the sheer number of them, gliding across the lagoon with an almost theatrical grace. This working swannery, just outside Weymouth, has been breeding mute swans since medieval times, and you can actually walk among the birds on the water's edge, watching them feed and raise their cygnets.

It's genuinely worth the trip if you're into wildlife or have young kids who haven't seen swans up close before. The lagoon is sheltered and calm, backed by reeds and low hills, and there's something quite meditative about standing there watching them. You'll learn proper facts too - their nesting habits, how they communicate, the whole lot - rather than just gawping at them.

Allow a good couple of hours, more if you're the type who likes to sit and sketch or photograph. Bring bread if they allow it (check before you visit), though the swans are well-fed regardless. Spring and early summer are best, when the cygnets are about - families do flock here then, mind you, so expect company.

For a park holiday based around Weymouth, Abbotsbury makes a solid morning or afternoon excursion. Chesil Beach Lodge Park is your best bet nearby if you want proper facilities - it's highly rated and only 5.5 miles away. The swannery pairs well with a walk along Chesil Beach itself or a poke around Abbotsbury village, which has a medieval tithe barn worth seeing.