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The tent by the wood at Swallowtail Hill - Rye, Sussex

Sleeps 2 to 4: 1 double bed. 2 single beds can be added if needed. Kids of all ages are welcome at Swallowtail Hill, but pets are not allowed.

The Tent by the Pond and the Tent by the Wood at Swallowtail Hill share a wide-open space at the bottom of a secluded and naturally bowl-shaped field. Whichever you choose you'll be surrounded by wildlife on the outside and beautiful craftwork on the inside. There are double beds made by a local craftsman with a design that follows the natural shape of the timber, old apple crates turned into bedside tables, organic cotton sheets and duvets, a chunky antique chest for storage and extra single beds for families and groups of four. Each tent has its own deck chairs for lounging around and there's a small dinghy for pottering about on the pond.
Both tents are mounted on decks, and there's a separate covered cooking and food storage area, as well as a covered dining area to share. Each tent also has its own fire pit with beautiful 'Bon-Fire' tripods for cooking over wood or charcoal. A welcome pack of groceries in a large cool box with ice packs will be waiting for you on arrival. In the next field there are two compost loos, and a remarkable looking but extremely effective wood fired shower next to another pond.
On the farm you can learn woodcraft skills or take up traditional longbow archery. Kids can become Swallowtail Hill Junior farmers and join in with what has proven to be the most popular activity – feeding the animals. Pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits, sheep and ducks all live up near the farmhouse and are more than happy to see you. If you're feeling particularly ambitious you can also arrange to have a tractor-driving lesson. Or you can just relax and enjoy the scenery and wildlife. On just forty acres, there are wildflower meadows, traditionally coppiced woodland, ponds, reed beds, and hedge lined walks everywhere.
Away from the hillside farm is the sea at Camber, the ancient hilltop town of Rye, and Bodiam Castle, reached by boat or steam train. And all this is only an hour and three quarters from central London.

New for 2012 – the Woodcutter's Cottage – a crooked cottage on wheels deep in the wood.

Our guests say...

"We absolutely loved it - the site is beautiful and the Yurt was comfy and lovely inside. We loved being away from it all and cooking on a campfire. Sarah and Christopher were welcoming and so friendly, a truly brilliant break."

Jenny, 23/06/2011

"We had an amazing stay - the tents were incredible, very comfortable and were very cosy even in chilly April nights! Sarah and Christopher were lovely hosts, happy to help out and were very informative about the farm and feeding of their animals. A truely enjoyable stay away from it all."

Maddy, 15/04/2011

“The best thing was the space and freedom. My two girls really enjoyed staying on a working farm, feeding the animals, riding on a tractor... The worst thing, leaving.”

Tara, 18/08/2010

Step 1: There is a 2 night minimum for bookings off peak and a 3 night minimum at peak times

Select an arrival date in BOLD

Step 2: Please select your departure date from the drop down list below.

All about The tent
The tent details
Eating & drinking
Getting there
Local activities
Booking terms

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All about Swallowtail Hill

East Sussex in the sun

Swallowtail Hill Farm is sandwiched between the medieval market town of Tenterden in Kent and the ancient fortified hill-top seaport of Rye in this picturesque corner of East Sussex.

It is the feeling of being far removed from city life that brought the owners, Christopher and Sarah, here in the first place. Their search for a rural lifestyle coupled with a passion for nature and all things sustainable found them here at Swallowtail Hill’s 40 acres of land. Their land is actively managed for biodiversity and has qualified for the Higher Level Environmental Stewardship Scheme. It is now a patchwork of flower meadows, traditionally managed woodland, ponds and reedbeds, and hedge-lined green lanes to stroll along. This wildlife haven is a carbon neutral operation and Christopher and Sarah are constantly on the lookout for new ideas to reduce their carbon footprint even further.

An important part of the conservation work done on the farm is its education programme. Schools and special interest groups regularly visit to discover how a landscape managed in this way encourages flora and fauna. The Forest School at Swallowtail Hill is the newest part of the plan – some schools have already benefitted from this unique experience and more are set to follow in 2012. Swallowtail Hill is proud to hold the Learning Outside the Classroom accreditation and the farm is also part of the Countryside and Education Visits Accreditation Scheme.

East Sussex is a much visited but surprisingly uncrowded tourist destination and there is tons of stuff to do in the surrounding area if chilling out in farmland heaven is not quite enough for you. To keep the family entertained there is a steam railway ride, horse riding, great country pub lunches and strolls around the old town of ‘Foyle’s war’- Hastings or medieval Rye.

Guests can choose to stay in one of two bell tents, the Meadowkeeper's Cottage or the Woodcutter's Cottage. Comfortable double beds mean that you can have a relaxed lie-in whilst listening to the birds singing in the surrounding fields.

In & around The tent by the wood at Swallowtail Hill

Cooking

BBQ kitchen and equipment
Gas camping stove
Kettle
Crockery, cutlery and glasses for four
Cooking equipment – pots and pans etc
Large cooler box
A welcome pack of groceries will be waiting on arrival

Linen

Pillows
Duvets
Covers
Towels

Entertainment

Books
Playing cards
Board games
Wind up radio
Help feed the animals - be a Swallowtail Hill Junior Farmer

Washing

Outdoor gas fired shower, compost loo and strawbale urinal are just a short stroll from the campsite.

You should bring

Wellies
A sun hat

You should know

Check in time is from 4-7pm, late check-in possible by arrangement with Christopher & Sarah
Check out time from 11am
Children of all ages are welcome
Sorry not pets
No power!
You swim in the ponds at your own risk
No smoking in the tents please!
The nearest grocery shop is Jempsons of Peasmarsh (2 miles)

Getting there

Swallowtail Hill Farm, Hobbs Lane, Beckley, East Sussex TN31 6TT

By Car

Exit M25 at junction 5 – get in lane for Sevenoaks/Tonbridge A21. Join the A21 and head for Hastings. You will pass exits for Sevenoaks and Tonbridge, Pembury and Tunbridge Wells. Keep going straight! You will automatically join a stretch of bypass (which avoids Lamberhurst) heading for Hastings. Keep going until you get to the Flimwell crossroads/traffic lights. Turn left – marked for Rye/Camber/Hawkhurst (A268). Keep on this road for around 10 miles.

You will pass straight through the villages of Hawkhurst, Sandhurst and Newenden. When you get to Newenden you’ll pass a village cricket green to your left and then go over a stone bridge across the river. A little after that you’ll drive over a level crossing (this is the local steam railway). You’ll then see a big restaurant on the left called The Mill. Take the next left after the pub – the A268 to Rye. You are now in Whitebread Lane – it’s a very twisty, turny road. Follow this for approx 3 miles

There’s a sign on the left saying Beckley. Slow down. Take the next (sharp) left onto Hobbs Lane. (This turning is immediately before the mini roundabout -if you reach the mini roundabout you’ve gone too far!). Continue down Hobbs Lane for EXACTLY (and we mean EXACTLY!) half a mile. Swallowtail Hill Farm is on the left hand side, at the top of the hill, slightly hidden by a hedge. There is a sign just by the gate.The farm entrance is just a couple of metres further down the lane on the left.

By Train

Rye is the nearest train station. Sarah and Christopher can pick you up, please call to arrange time and charge.

From London, high speed from St Pancras (38 mins), or normal speed from Charing Cross, Waterloo East or London Bridge to Ashford International (1 hour 15 mins). Cross to Platform one for hourly cross-marsh train to Rye (20 mins)

If you are getting to Swallowtail Hill by train, bus or any other non-car means you can think of be sure to take a photo and enter our Go Greenly competition to win a 4 night stay at The Wagon or The Ark.

Local activities

Things to do on the farm

Swallowtail Hill’s most popular activity is the animal feeding. Kids (and kids-at-heart) can help out each morning and evening giving the farm animals their breakfast and dinner. Adults can test their skills with a little longbow archery or perhaps a tractor driving lesson (these two best done separately).

Outdoor & active

The Sussex Border Footpath cuts across Swallowtail Hill Farm. Or you can choose to explore the region by bike. Hir e shops can be found in the centre of Rye.

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

The Rye Nature Reserve boasts a variety of habitats with a wealth of wildlife. More than 279 species of bird have been recorded at the reserve of which over 70 have nested. Visitors can walk a network of paths to discover the flora and fauna.

Visitors are often surprised at just how many vineyards are hidden away in this corner of the country. Amongst them are some of the best organic growers in the UK. Methersham Vineyard is just at the end of the same lane as Swallowtail Hill and Neil and Wendy Holcombe will welcome you to visit and taste! Chapel Down Winery is at Small Hythe near Tenterden and Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard and Carr Taylor Wines at Westfield are all just twenty minutes' drive away.

Rye Watersports boasts the only large coastal water lake with sea location in the South East of England. Lessons in Kitesurfing, windsurfing and sailing are available.

Three miles from the farm is the village of Newenden from where guests can take a ferry boat trip to Bodiam Castle. Rowing boat hire is also available.

There’s the perfect spot for fishing just a short walk down the lane from Swallowtail Hill Farm. Sarah and Christopher can arrange a day’s fishing for you.

The Rye Tennis and Squash Club welcomes day visitors.

Places to visit

The Kent and East Sussex Railway claims to be the country’s finest example of a rural light railway. It runs from Tenterden across ten miles of Rother Valley countryside to Bodiam Castle. Visitors to Swallowtail Hill can join the railway at Newenden (three miles away) with a hop on hop off ticket to explore the region.

The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway is Kent's mainline in miniature. First opened to traffic in 1927 as the "World's Smallest Public Railway" and now covering a distance of 13.5 miles from the picturesque Cinque Port of Hythe near the Channel Tunnel to the fisherman's cottages and lighthouse at Dungeness.

Rye Castle Museum has two sites in The Ypres Tower and East Street. Ypres Tower, built in 1250, is the oldest building open to the public in Rye. It was built as part of the town's defences and has had a chequered history as revealed by its interior. From the Tower's balcony there is a magnificent view over the harbour.

The maritime Cinque Ports town of Rye sits high on a hill overlooking the River Rother and the Romney Marsh. Wander around Rye’s cobbled streets and explore the local landmarks including the Ypres Tower (the castle) and Landgate Arch. Take a walk along Mermaid Street – peppered with ancient buildings with very strange names.

Tenterden is another of the Cinque Ports and declares itself the Jewel of the Weald. Keeping guard over the town is the pinnacled tower of St Mildred’s Church from where once the signal beacon warned of the approach of the Spanish Armada.

Bodiam Castle

One of the most famous and evocative castles in Britain, Bodiam Castle was built in 1385, as both a defence and a comfortable home. There are spiral staircases and battlements to explore, and wonderful views of the Rother Valley from the top of the towers.

Camber Sands is just nine miles from the farm. It is a popular sandy beach with picturesque dunes and interesting wildlife.

The ancient town of Winchelsea is a beautiful Sussex village built on the bones of a medieval town. It is a picturesque and peaceful village with a beach, medieval wine cellars and views of Rye bay.

Festivals

Rye boasts a thriving community of artists, writers and potters. The annual Rye Festival, now in its 40th year, takes place mid-September and is the culmination of the town’s commitment to the arts. From classical music and jazz to contemporary music, literature, comedy, painting and sculpture – the full spectrum of the arts is represented.

Courses & Classes

The opportunity to join in with animal feeding is included as part of your holiday at Swallowtail Hill. You can also choose to go on a guided wildlife walk around the farm. Additionally you can enjoy a tractor driving lesson by special arrangement. Longbow archery lessons can be booked during your stay.

The farm also offers air rifle target shooting for over 16s and the next-door farm offers Clay Pigeon Shooting too.

Many of the ancient manual woodland crafts are, sadly, being lost as industrial processes take over. But Swallowtail Hill does its best to keep them alive with a range of courses on offer from them and their neighbours. There are several riding stables close by which offer lessons for adults and children, or if you’d prefer something less structured, you can join a hack through the local countryside. Booking in advance is essential.

Eating & drinking

Eating & drinking at Swallowtail Hill

Rye scallop festival, an unmissable event

Sarah and Christopher offer a range of grocery boxes and picnic lunches stuffed full of locally sourced produce.

The produce in the area is quite simply exceptional – and there's no shortage of farmers markets. Rye has a wonderful butchers, greengrocers and deli in the High Street and in Peasmarsh (the next village) there's a family owned supermarket called Jempsons.

Rye Farmers Market – Wednesday – 10am to 1pm, Strand Quay

Rolvenden Farmers Market – Thursday 10am to noon, Church & Church Hall

Brede / Broad Oak Farmers Market – Friday 10am to noon, Church Hall

Pubs & restaurants

The Rose & Crown in Beckley

The White Hart, Newenden (3.5 miles). A 16th Century characterful free house with traditional pub food and fine cask ales.

The Cock Inn, Peasmarsh (2 miles). A 17th Century village pub with an enclosed adventure playground.

The Rose and Crown, Beckley (2 miles). Landlady Alice will give you an even warmer than usual welcome if she knows you're staying at Swallowtail Hill.

The Tuscan Kitchen, Rye (6 miles). Quite simply the best little Italian restaurant this side of Tuscany. Run by Jen and Franco the food is cooked to order with passion and care.

The Globe Inn, Rye (6 miles). Famous for its garden, is a traditional Sussex weatherboarded inn originally built in 1839.

The Ship Inn, Rye (4.5 miles). It was built in 1592, originally as a warehouse to store contraband seized from smugglers. It is now a popular countryside pub with old beams, wooden floors and open fires.

The Ypres Castle, Rye (6 miles). Pronounced, 'wipers' by the locals, the restaurant is next to the Ypres Tower (the actual castle - keep up) and specialises in fish dishes, with a garden overlooking the salt flats.

The George, Rye (6 miles). A traditional coaching inn on Rye’s high street with very good food.

All about Swallowtail Hill

East Sussex in the sun

Swallowtail Hill Farm is sandwiched between the medieval market town of Tenterden in Kent and the ancient fortified hill-top seaport of Rye in this picturesque corner of East Sussex.

Booking terms for The tent by the wood at Swallowtail Hill

Booking Conditions

Please note that Canopy & Stars is acting as an 'Agent' in the booking of Woodside tent, Pondside tent and The Lovestruck on behalf of Sarah & Christopher Broadbent (hereafter referred to as the 'Owner'). The Owner of the property is responsible for your stay and is the 'Principal' in this agreement. Customers renting property through Canopy & Stars are referred to as the Guest. The rental arrangements are made by Canopy & Stars, on behalf of the Owners and the contractual relationship is directly between the Owners of the property and the Guest.

The Canopy & Stars booking line (001275 395 447) is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, except public holidays. When using the online enquiry form, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours. Online enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment.

1. Booking and payments

1.1 The dates of your booking will be held upon payment of a non-refundable deposit of 25% or payment in full. Deposits are only payable when booking more than 10 weeks in advance of your check in date. Any booking less than 10 weeks in advance of your check in date must be paid in full immediately.

1.2 On receipt of the deposit, a booking confirmation will be sent to you within 24 hours in the case of email and seven working days in the case of post, containing the details of your stay and of payments made and due. If you have not received your booking confirmation within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible. We're sorry for any inconvenience, but payments can only be made by credit and debit cards. A 2% surcharge will be applied to credit cards. We do not accept American Express, cheques or cash.

1.3 Where a deposit has been paid, full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in date and a reminder will be sent to you two weeks prior to this date, where applicable, by email. If you are unable to pay the balance before the stated due date, you will forfeit your deposit and your booking will be cancelled.

2. Cancellation

2.1 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your deposit being forfeited, as all deposits are non-refundable.

2.2 All monies paid for a holiday (deposit and balance) are non-refundable within 10 weeks before check in date.

2.3 Cancellation of any holiday after it has been paid in full and at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, will result in forfeiture of your deposit (or an amount equivalent where one was not paid as the holiday was paid in full) and the balance being returned to you.

2.4 Cancellation insurance is available but will be a third party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way.

2.5 If the location of your booking is inaccessible due to adverse conditions your booking can be deferred to a later date subject to availability and at discretion of Canopy & Stars on behalf of the owner of the property.

3. Alteration

3.1 Alterations to your booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time alterations will be treated as cancellation. All alterations will incur a £30 administration fee and are subject to availability and at the discretion of Canopy & Stars on behalf of the Owner of the property.

3.2 Differences in the total amount payable resulting from alterations will be refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price and paid by you in the case of increases in price.

4. Complaints

In the event that you have any complaint about your stay, please notify the Owner of the property as soon as possible and they will use all reasonable endeavours to resolve the issue. Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also contact us as we appreciate all feedback.

5. Pricing

Prices on the website are not binding, but costs stated in any booking confirmation email you receive from Canopy & Stars will be honoured as shown and will include all VAT and any charges.

6. Information

Information on the website is correct to the best of our knowledge, but circumstances outside of our control may cause it to become inaccurate. We apologise for any inconvenience that may result from this.

7. Liability

7.1 Canopy & Stars accept no liability for accident, loss of property or personal injury whilst on your stay.

7.2 Canopy & Stars will not be liable for any act, neglect or default on the part of the Owners or any other person not within their employ or otherwise under their control, nor for any accident, damage, loss, injury, expense or inconvenience, whether to person or property, which the Guest or any other person may suffer or incur arising out of, or in any way connected with the rental unless Canopy & Stars is responsible. In addition, the Owners and Canopy & Stars accept no liability for loss of or damage to the Guest’s possessions on the Owners’ property or land.

7.3 Nothing in these conditions excludes or limits the liability of Canopy & Stars or the Owners:

a. for death or personal injury caused by Canopy & Stars or the Owners negligence.

b. for any matter which it would be illegal for Canopy & Stars or the Owners to exclude or attempt to exclude their liability.

7.4 The use of swimming pools, lakes, climbing trees, tractor rides and any other activity on the Owners land is the responsibility of the Guest and is done so at their own risk.

8. Pets

Pets are not permitted at Yarlington House. We apologise for any inconvenience.

9. VAT

Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable the tax is included in the weekly rent.

10. The Holiday – Guest Conditions of occupancy and Conduct

10.1 The Guests have the right to occupy the Property for the paid for holiday period only (within the meaning of Schedule 1 Paragraph 9 of the Housing Act 1988).

10.2 Guests undertake to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their property. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period. Any refund for so doing will be at the entire discretion of the Owner in consultation with the Agents. In addition, the Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property.

11. Breach of Booking Conditions

11.1 If there is a breach of any of these conditions by the Guest or any of their party, the Owners or Canopy & Stars reserve the right to re-enter the Property and end the holiday and ask the Guest and their party to leave in addition to their other rights specified in these Booking Conditions.

11.2 Ending the Holiday by either the Owners or Canopy & Stars, or the Guests does not affect that party’s other rights and remedies.

12 Governing Law and Jurisdiction

Any dispute will be governed by the non-exclusive law and jurisdiction of the English or Scottish Courts depending on the location of the Property.

13. Authority to Sign

The person who signs the Booking Form certifies that:

he or she is authorised to agree the Booking Conditions on behalf of all persons included in the Booking Form, including those substituted or added at a later date;
the signatory is over eighteen years of age;
they agree to take responsibility for the party occupying the Property, and to notify Canopy & Stars if they are not a member of the holiday party.

14. Discrepancies

In case of a discrepancy between these Booking Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Booking Conditions shall prevail.

15. Validity clause

In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Booking Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Booking Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.