About Swallowtail Hill
A place quite unlike any other
Swallowtail Hill first opened its gates to guests back in 2010…
Back then glamping was a new thing that many hadn’t experienced but Sarah and Christopher knew that it would be the perfect way for people to enjoy the unique landscape of Swallowtail Hill.
We are close to the medieval coastal town of Rye. Maps of the 17th century show Swallowtail Hill as it is now, unchanged. Our best guess is that its name is down to migrating swallows gathering here at the highest point of land around before departure for Africa.
Christopher began the conservation work here over 35 years ago and today Swallowtail Hill is one of southern England’s most biodiverse landscapes. It is not the largest but at 50 acres it is still pretty big for a previously farmed landscape to be turned over entirely to nature.
Staying in this landscape is a unique experience – as guests are surrounded by wildflower meadows, woodland, hedgerows, ponds and a lot of wildlife. Over three decades we have created a landscape that might well be recognised by someone magically visiting from the 15th century.
We are close to the medieval coastal town of Rye. Maps of the 17th century show Swallowtail Hill as it is now, unchanged. Our best guess is that its name is down to migrating swallows gathering here at the highest point of land around before departure for Africa.
Christopher began the conservation work here over 35 years ago and today Swallowtail Hill is one of southern England’s most biodiverse landscapes. It is not the largest but at 50 acres it is still pretty big for a previously farmed landscape to be turned over entirely to nature.
Staying in this landscape is a unique experience – as guests are surrounded by wildflower meadows, woodland, hedgerows, ponds and a lot of wildlife. Over three decades we have created a landscape that might well be recognised by someone magically visiting from the 15th century.
This is real nature, not pretend nature – our flower species count rises each year – we now have three types of orchid and some 40 other flower species throughout the year.
Nature isn’t tidy of course. So if it’s wet you will need wellies because we don’t put concrete everywhere!
Peace, quiet, solitude and dark skies…
We only have six cabins across 50 acres, so the opportunity for total isolation is real if that’s what you want. And the skies are enormous, and unpolluted by light.
Slow living is what we are all about
We believe that time in nature can rest and restore us on every level. It gives us time to reconnect with ourselves, our loved ones and to calm our busy minds.
Kids Off Grid
We believe children thrive when they spend time in nature and that’s why we created our Kids off Grid movement! It’s all about encouraging time away from screens and enjoying the big outdoors.
Our wonderful team
We couldn’t bring any of the Swallowtail Hill magic to you without our amazing team. We’re so proud to have a bunch of folks who love our landscape as much as we do and really care about making the holidays you have here as special as possible.
We are well known for our food & drink too!
We know that rushing to shop for your self catering holiday isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, so we offer a fabulous menu of breakfast and BBQ boxes, campfire suppers and extras if you want to take life easy!
Thoughts on a Slow Start to the New Year
Swallowtail Hill regulars will know that we’re all about tapping into life lived more slowly. We call it the S’Lowdown as it’s the special Swallowtail Hill flavour of taking things at a pace that doesn’t leave us frazzled and disconnected.
So I regularly disappear from socials – because if I’m entirely honest – being a slave to the scroll doesn’t really match up to our values and it’s all too easy to get sucked back in which definitely has an effect on my mood.
Log Off and Look Up: Marketing Nature
This summer has been an eye opener. Not least because it’s been the most challenging one to date for our 14 year old business, but because it has made me question how we communicate the authentic appeal of Swallowtail Hill.
Sustainability at Swallowtail Hill
If you’ve stayed with us you’ll know that sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We work endlessly to ensure your footprint on the planet is as light as possible while staying here.
Waking From Hibernation
For the first time this winter we did something we should have been doing for years. We gave ourselves permission to S’Lowdown. Yep, the irony is not lost on us…
May On The Farm
May is one of my favourite months on the farm. The blossom, the hedgerow coming back into leaf, the lush grass – everything feels fresh, new and lovely…
Wind Power
Power prices are based on the wholesale price of gas worldwide but renewables are increasingly taking up the slack in power delivery…
February On The Farm
I’ve mainly been sowing flowers – my big plan this year is to dedicate two of the beds in the veg patch to flowers as I want a cutting…
Off-Grid Adventures
If you’ve not stayed with us before here’s a little flavour of what our off-grid spaces are all about! So why not have a browse and discover more!
Things To Do On A Winter Weekend!
Plenty of you arrive for a winter break just ready to hibernate for a couple of days, spending your time keeping cosy in your cabin, relaxing with a good book, soaking in…
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Awards & Accreditations
