Swan Upping is an annual tradition which takes place across a section of the River Thames – taking the same route each year. We have been lucky enough to have seen Swan Upping several different occassions. Read here about when we watched the tradition in 2018.
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What is Swan Upping?
Swan Upping takes place annually each July between Sunbury Lock Cut and Abingdon Bridge, going through and stopping at points in Berkshire including Boutler’s Lock and Hurley.
The King’s Swan Warden collects data on the swans in the River Thames and checks the health of the cygnets.
Swan Upping is a fantastic sight to see as a number of rowing skiffs with Swan Uppers travelling down the river, wearing their scarlet uniform of His Majesty the King. The Swan Uppers are from the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies and they travel through sections of the River Thames to weigh, check and tag swans before releasing them back onto the water.
The swans and cygnets are not hurt during the Swan Upping, they are carefully taken out of the water, weighed and put back into the river.
When we have watched Swan Upping before the Swan Uppers have been very good with the people watching, especially the children, explaining what they are doing.
When does Swan Upping take place and where can I see Swan Upping?
Swan Upping takes place during one week in July, in July 2025 it takes place between 14th – 18th July 2025. Click here to find out when and where the swan makers will be.
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