Abbotsbury - Abbey Attractions 
The remains of an 11th C Benedictine monastery can be found in Abbotsbury (9mi/14km west of Weymouth).
Abbotsbury is a popular tourist stop as a gateway village to the Jurassic Coast. It is also a notable destination for bird watchers. The Abbotsbury bird sanctuary is over 600 years old, and a nesting and breeding ground for swans.
Abbotsbury is a popular tourist stop as a gateway village to the Jurassic Coast. It is also a notable destination for bird watchers. The Abbotsbury bird sanctuary is over 600 years old, and a nesting and breeding ground for swans.
Swannery
More famous than the Abbotsbury monastery ruins is the Swannery, founded in 1393 and now home to almost 1,000 birds. Although swans were eaten as a culinary delicacy at royal banquets until as recently as the 1950s, it is now the lagoon's oysters which enjoy particular popularity among gourmets.
Hours
March 15 to November 2
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Return bus service from Weymouth in July & August. Inquire at the Weymouth Tourist Information Centre. Last admission one hour before closing.
Parking
Free
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Wheelchair loan or rental
Restaurant or food service
Wheelchair loan or rental
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
It is worth visiting the subtropical gardens laid out in 1750 by the Earl of Ilchester in a protected valley on the outskirts of Abbotsbury. Palms, bamboo groves, multicolored exotic plants and lush rhododendrons all flourish here.
Abbotsbury Sub-tropical Gardens
Bullers Way
Weymouth DT3 4LA
England
Bullers Way
Weymouth DT3 4LA
England
Hours
March 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Return bus service from Weymouth in July & August. Inquire at the Weymouth Tourist Information Centre.
Dogs are permitted in the gardens, provided they are on a lead.
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Tithe Barn Childrens Farm
The Tithe Barn Chidren's Farm is an ancient site that is now home to a host of farm animals. Children will enjoy stroking and feeding many of the animals throughout the day.
This is a particularly popular destination amongst children under 11.
This is a particularly popular destination amongst children under 11.
The Tithe Barn Children's Farm
New Barn Road
Abbotsbury DT3 4JG
England
New Barn Road
Abbotsbury DT3 4JG
England
Hours
March 15 to September 7
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
September 8 to October 24
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 |
October 25 to November 2
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
