Swan Upping 2024 in England

At the end of July, thousands gather to witness the annual ceremony of "swan upping," where young swans are marked. Led by the royal swan keeper, the event involves counting, weighing, measuring, and conducting health checks on the swans before they are released back into the Thames. Swan Upping occurs every third week of July, starting at Sunbury and concluding at Abingdon on the third Friday of the month.

Timetable

Swan Upping 2024 is scheduled to start on July 15th, starting at 9 am from Sunbury lock cut. The event will conclude approximately at 5 pm on July 19th at Abingdon on the Thames.

Swan Upping

Lasting five days, representatives from the Crown, Vintners, and Dyers row upriver from Sunbury to Abingdon in distinctive red uniforms. The Crown's Marker of the Swans records data while swan uppers catch, weigh, and measure cygnets, checking for injuries. Cygnets are marked based on ownership: unmarked for the Crown, with rings for Dyers and Vintners, replacing historic bill nicks. This practice links back to London's cultural history, as seen in the pub name "The Swan with Two Nicks."

History of Swan Upping

According to legend, the fate of London and England itself is tied to the swans swimming across the Thames—prosperity follows their graceful glide. Swans were introduced from Cyprus in the 12th or 13th century, with English kings proudly bearing the honorary title "lord of swans" since the 13th century. Medieval records depict swans as royal delicacies and hunting targets, even for monarchs seeking rare entertainment. The kingdom maintained strict records of these majestic birds, with each sheriff accountable for their arrival in their jurisdiction each spring. Ownership of a swan was a coveted royal privilege, marked by branding; unmarked birds were automatically deemed royal property.