Spend a half-day communing with nature and experience the tranquility and beauty of the little village of Abbotsbury, home to a swannery where over 1,000 mute swans take shelter, and a lovely subtropical garden, a treasure trove of botanicals. After a scenic drive, arrive at the Heritage Coastline, an 18-mile stretch of shingle known as Chesil Beach, and the petite village of Abbotsbury. At this sheltered lagoon, monks from a neighboring Benedictine abbey created a safe haven for mute swans in 1393. Today, this sanctuary is named the Swannery, and as many as 1,000 swans take shelter here. Continue on to the Abbotsbury Sub-tropical Gardens. The first Countess of Ilchester established the gardens in 1765 as a kitchen garden for her nearby castle. It's developed into an enchanting 20-acre garden of exotic plants, botanicals and blooms. Stroll the fragrant grounds and stop to photograph the picturesque surroundings, awash with color.