Swan Upping

Swan Upping is the annual census of the swan population on stretches of the River Thames in the counties of Middlesex, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. It takes place during the third week of July each year.

This historic ceremony dates from the 12th century, when the Crown claimed ownership of all mute swans.Many London Guilds used to share this honour but eventually only the Dyers and Vintners continued to claim this privilege. As the cygnets reach the age of about two months, Her Majesty's Swan Marker and a party of skilled lightermen embark in six wooden skiffs, bedecked in colourful traditional costume, into the river at Sunbury, above London, beginning a five-day row upriver to Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

For further information on this ceremonial tradition vist the royal.gov.uk website Monarchy Today

You may also find local features and history about swan upping here