At 8 miles (13 km) long and covering an area of 1,186 acres (480 ha), The Fleet is the largest tidal lagoon in Britain. It’s also a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the magnificent variety of wildlife found here. The Fleet connects to the sea via a narrow channel at Ferrybridge into Portland Harbour.

Janett

May 8, 2024

Many birds can be observed here, it is a special place.

Translated by Google •

Mike Cree

November 8, 2024

An extensive oasis of relative calm compared with the open sea across Chesil Beach, the Fleet Lagoon is a vital shelter and feeding area for wildlife. This long, shallow stretch of water is England’s largest lagoon at around 480 hectares. Home to the famous Abbotsbury Swannery and large numbers of over-wintering Brent geese, the Lagoon draws wildlife watchers to its shores. Visitors can also see other resident and migrant birds like little terns, wigeon, pochard, coots, even an occasional passing osprey.

In addition to its birds, the Fleet Lagoon Marine Protected Area also protects numerous plants and animals. Several marine plants like seagrasses, stoneworts and salt marsh, and animals like lagoon sandworms, lagoon sand shrimps and the rare DeFolin’s lagoon snail all benefit from the Fleet’s status as an MPA.

The Fleet Lagoon is also an important nursery area for several types of fish like bass, black bream, sand smelt, mullets and gobies. Commercial fishing does occur in the Fleet although it is tightly controlled and limited in its extent. Toward the seaward end, oysters are also farmed commercially.

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Location: Fleet, West Dorset, Dorset, South West England, England, United Kingdom

The Fleet Lagoon

1. Chesil Beach & Fleet lagoon loop from Portland Harbour — Jurasic Coast

2. Chickerell Fleet Lagoon Circular — Dorset

3. The Fleet Lagoon – Old Fleet Church loop from Chickerell

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