Abbotsbury Swannery is unique. This is the only place in the world where you are able to walk through the heart of a colony of nesting Mute Swans. The Swannery was established by Benedictine Monks who built a monastery at Abbotsbury during the 1040's. From mid-May to late June, hundreds of fluffy cygnets hatch from eggs in nests on or near the pathways. The Sub-Tropical Gardens were established in 1765 by the first Countess of Ilchester as a kitchen garden for her nearby castle. Since the restoration after the great storm of 1990 many new exotic and unusual plants have been introduced. The Garden is now a mixture of formal and informal, with charming walled garden walks and spectacular woodland valley views. World famous for its Camellia Groves and Magnolias also for its Rhododendron and Hydrangea collections.