Activities
On the farm
Animal Feeding
The owners at Swallowtail Hill do their best to offer the opportunity to visit the animals once during each stay. The rule here is that if you’ve got a name, then you’re safe! So Buttons and George the donkeys, Percy and Sue the pigs; Sid the big goat; Margot, Jerry, Bilbo, Frodo and Pippin the pygmy goats; Molly, Peter, Celia, Mary, Dinky, Victoria, Rose, Ivy, Frank, Arnold, Myrtle and Darcy the sheep; and even the chickens are all pets, and (comparatively) tame.
Nature Walks
If you’d like us to take you and your family on a guided walk around the farm to talk about the conservation work we do and enjoy some pond dipping or minibeast hunting then let us know*. Cost: £10 per family / per group *Subject to availability and bookable in advance.
The Hill Top Tent (May to mid-September only)
During the late spring and summer we have our fabulous Hill Top Tent available. It’s a really special space that sits on the hillside and offers wonderful views across the farm. It’s the perfect place for any of the following and can accommodate four people comfortably:
Yoga
If you’d like a yoga lesson then – subject to our teacher Victoria being available – we can organise this for you. Subject to availability and must be booked at least a week in advance.
Massage
Chloe is our lovely local massage therapist – so if you want to completely relax on your break at Swallowtail Hill then why not book either a Back & Shoulder massage or a Full Body Massage. Subject to availability and must be booked at least a week in advance.
Outdoor & active
The Sussex Border Footpath cuts across Swallowtail Hill Farm. Or you can choose to explore the region by bike. Hire shops can be found in the centre of Rye.
The Rye Nature Reserve boasts a variety of habitats with a wealth of wildlife. Only 9 miles away, 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. Entry is free.
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 trip to Bodiam Castle. Rowing boat hire is also available.
The Rye Tennis and Squash Club welcomes day visitors.
Grove Farm Riding School is in the nearby village of Iden and offers 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. Price – approximately £30 per person
Places to visit
The Kent and East Sussex Railway
Buy a hop-on, hop-off ticket and enjoy the full 10½ miles of railway stopping off to enjoy the sights along the way. Set off from Northiam and chuff your way to Rolvenden and look around the loco yard, or go in the opposite direction and visit the castle at Bodium. The railway regularly holds Thomas The Tank Engine theme days – with plenty of activities to keep children amused. On three of the five daily train services there are also on board catering services, so you can enjoy a cream tea on board – but only if you pre-book! Price – adults £17, children (3-15 years inc.) £11.50, family ticket £49.50
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.
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: The famous curved beach with its wide bay and large dune system is only ten miles away. It is a site of geographical interest and nature conservation as it is the only existing dune system in East Sussex. Popular with families, dog walkers, horseriders, kite surfers and kite boarders (at different times of the day and in different zones!) it’s big enough for everyone and the perfect place for a paddle and a picnic.
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.
Hastings Old Town: Follow in the tracks of Inspector Foyle and wander the charming winding hillside streets of Hastings Old Town, then stop for lunch - the fish and chips at the Blue Dolphin are quite simply the best, and you can’t beat some silly fun playing crazy golf on the seafront.
Festivals & events
Rye boasts a thriving community of artists, writers and potters. The annual Rye Festival, now in its 47th 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.
Wild Woodland Club
Sarah is a fully qualified Forest School Leader and Swallowtail Hill has become home to the Wild Woodland Club – for all Wild Things aged 6-11 years. The club is run in conjunction with the Sussex Wildlife Trust. Our young Wild Things all meet in the barnyard and walk to the camp in the woods and each session has as theme around which our activities are organised. We might build dens, make things using woodland tools, build campfires and do some cooking, learn woodland crafts or play games, but whatever we do we always have fun! Sessions take place during school holidays. Check Swallowtail Hill's website for the dates of the next session and if your child would like to join in while you’re on holiday they can.
Woodland Activities - Kids
If your stay doesn’t coincide with a Wild Woodland Club session but your children like the sound of the woodland activities that the club enjoys and would like to experience them too, then we can offer additional sessions subject to availability. There need to be at least 4 children for a two hour session to go ahead so why not talk to other families staying here and see if their kids would like to join in too. Cost: £15 per child (four children minimum)
Basic Bushcraft / Whittling - Adults
And not forgetting the grown-ups… We can offer a basic bushcraft / traditional skills session in the woods focusing on fire lighting and whittling. Sessions are subject to availability and there need to be at least four adults for a two hour session to go ahead. Cost: £15 per adult (four adults minimum)