There will be plenty of ‘swanupmanship’ going on at Henley on Wednesday 21st July for the annual census of the swan population, Swan Upping. Make your way to Hambleden Lock, Henley Bridge and Marsh Lock to experience this wonderfully traditional spectacle.

A flotilla of traditional Thames rowing skiffs, manned by Swan Uppers in scarlet rowing shirts and headed by The Queen’s Swan Marker, wearing a hat with a white swan’s feather, will row their way steadily up the Thames.

The ceremony of Swan Upping takes place during the third week of July every year. Swan Upping dates from the twelfth century, when The Crown claimed ownership of all mute swans which were considered an important food for banquets and feasts. Today, of course, swans are no longer eaten and are a protected species. The Crown retains the right of ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water, but The Queen mainly exercises this right on certain stretches of the River Thames and its surrounding tributaries. This ownership is shared with the Vintners’ and Dyers’ Livery Companies who were granted rights of ownership by The Crown in the fifteenth century. 

The Queen’s Swan Marker and the accompanying Swan Uppers of the Vintners’ and Dyers’ Livery Companies use six traditional Thames rowing skiffs in their journey upstream. By tradition scarlet uniforms are worn by The Queen’s Swan Marker and Swan Uppers, and each boat flies the appropriate flag and pennant. In recent years, both The Queen and The Princess Royal have travelled up the River Thames to witness the historic ceremony

It has always been the duty of the Sovereign’s Swan Marker to count the number of young cygnets each year and ensure that the swan population is maintained. The cygnets are weighed and measured to obtain estimates of growth rates and the birds are examined for any sign of injury, commonly caused by fishing hook and line. With the assistance of The Queen’s Swan Warden, Professor Christopher Perrins of the University of Oxford, the swans and young cygnets are also assessed for any signs of disease. The cygnets are ringed with individual identification numbers by The Queen’s Swan Warden, whose role is scientific and non-ceremonial. The Queen’s Swan Marker produces an annual report after Swan Upping detailing the number of swans, broods and cygnets counted during the week. 

Local observation points and approximate times on Wednesday 21st July:

Marlow Bridge – 09.00 (Departure point)
Hurley Lock – 10.30
Hambleden Lock – 12.15
Henley Bridge – 13.00 
Marsh Lock – 15.15
Shiplake Lock – 17.00
Sonning Bridge – 18.00