Abbotsbury

Dorset                                                                                 Photos by Hetty

2nd May 2023 Abbotsbury Swannery

We were a week too early for cygnets but there are hundreds of swans. They are so used to people that they build nests on and by the paths. They were repairing nests, turning eggs and flying. Mr H helped feed them. It was lovely.

There are just six back swans

 

2nd May 2023 Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

The magnolias, rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias were flowering, as well as bluebells, and there are some characters from Alice in Wonderland

Chesil Beach, the Fleet and the Swannery from the view point

Mr H crosses the rope bridge

2nd May Abbotsbury village

The huge thatched tithe barn

Next: Mapperton                   Back to beginning of holiday

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4th November 2017                                    7 miles   Map of walk

We parked by Chesil Beach, which is an unusual pebble beach that for 13 km is separated from the land by the Fleet lagoon

and walked round to Abbotsbury, where little remains of the abbey that used to be there

except the large tithe barn

We walked up St Catherine’s Hill, which protects the village from the sea

We will walk up to the ridge  above the village later

St Catherine’s chapel

Lovely views from the chapel

In the west the sun was shining on the cliffs in the distance

In the east we could see the Fleet Lagoon which stretches from Abbotsbury to Portland harbour

Back down in the village

An arch from the abbey

St Nicholas Church

This ancient carving may be 11th century

In the porch is an effigy of one of the early abbots – probably late 12th century.

The wooden pulpit has musket ball holes from the Civil War – 1664

There are lots of thatched cottages here, and in lots of the villages in Dorset

Notice for traction engine drivers

17th Century coaching inn

Walking up onto the ridge gave a good view of St Catherine’s Hill, the village and the Fleet lagoon

The coast to the west

Abbotsbury Castle – an iron-age hill-fort

A lovely view of the Fleet

We could see inland too –  360 degree views

The Isle of Portland is only connected to the mainland by a causeway

We arrive back at Chesil Beach

Next place: Portland

More places in Dorset

All images on the website copyright of HettyHikes.co.uk

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