Frequently Asked Questions

Most questions our customers commonly ask are answered in detail in the sections below. If there's anything not answered or you're still not sure on please don't hesitate to get in touch with us by calling us on 01297 443084 or emailing us at info@sittingspiritually.co.uk.

About Sitting Spiritually

Who is Sitting Spiritually?

Sitting Spiritually is a British garden furniture maker based in Lyme Regis, Dorset, founded in 2004. We handcraft swing seats, swinging day beds, rope swings, benches and oak pergolas from prime European oak and Accoya timber. We are endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society and are part of the official National Trust collection.

Where are Sitting Spiritually swing seats made?

Every piece is made by hand in our Dorset workshop, on the edge of the Jurassic Coast. We don't outsource the work or assemble pieces from imported parts. The same small team that designs each seat also builds it, paints it where relevant, and prepares it for delivery.

Are Sitting Spiritually pieces endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society?

Yes. Sitting Spiritually holds an RHS endorsement and the RHS Four Seasons Bench, RHS Rope Swing, RHS Trilogy and several other pieces sit within the official RHS collection. Our seats are placed in RHS gardens including Wisley, Rosemoor, Harlow Carr and Bridgewater, where visitors are welcome to sit and try them. See our RHS collection page for the full range.

What is your relationship with the National Trust?

Sitting Spiritually is part of the National Trust collection. The National Trust Swing Seat is made from painted Accoya timber, designed to sit comfortably in the setting of a period garden. Details are on our National Trust collaboration page.

Who designs your furniture?

Designs are led in-house, with the founder Martin Young having set the ergonomic templates that still underpin the range today. Individual pieces including The Floating Bench have been developed in collaboration with named designers such as the Dorset furniture designer Simon Thomas Pirie. Our design process page explains how commissions are developed.

How long has Sitting Spiritually been making swing seats?

We've been making garden swing seats since 2004 – over twenty years. Our very first swing seats still sit in our Lyme Regis garden, weathered to silver and just as sound as the day they were made. That continuity is the evidence behind our longevity claims.

Choosing a Piece

What sizes do your swing seats come in?

Our swing seats come in four sizes: one-seater (a generous armchair), two-seater, three-seater and four-seater. Full dimensions for every range are on our swing seat size guide. The two-seater is the most popular; the four-seater suits larger gardens and family use.

What back styles are available?

We offer five back styles, all at the same price: Fan, Curve, Heart, Slat and Swirl. Fan is the original and remains the most popular. Slat offers the strongest lumbar support. Heart is our Arts and Crafts-inspired design. Our back styles guide explains the feel of each.

What is the difference between the Tranquillity, Kyokusen and Affinity ranges?

Tranquillity is our prime European oak swing seat range, with a classic straight-back silhouette. Kyokusen is our curved-back oak range, inspired by traditional Japanese joinery. Affinity is our painted Accoya range, available in a wide colour palette. The choice is mostly one of aesthetic and whether you want a natural timber that silvers or a painted finish.

Should I choose an oak or a painted Accoya swing seat?

Choose oak if you want a natural timber that mellows to silver and carries visible grain. Choose Accoya if you want a painted finish that will hold its colour for many years and never needs re-painting. Oak carries a 5-year guarantee; Accoya carries a 50-year above-ground manufacturer guarantee. Both are built to live outdoors year-round.

Do you make swing seats for children?

Our single rope swing in a children's size (75cm seat) is popular for younger riders. Our full-size swing seats are designed for adults but are used happily by whole families – the structure is heavily over-engineered for weight. We do not make scaled-down swing seats for children specifically.

Can I personalise my piece with a carving or inscription?

Yes. We can carve inscriptions on swing seat beams, rope swings and benches, and can inset carved symbols, family crests, initials or caricatures into the timber. Ammonite inlays – a nod to our Jurassic Coast setting – are a signature detail. We'll send a digital preview of any inscription before the carving begins.

How do I choose between a swing seat, a day bed and a rope swing?

Choose a swing seat for everyday garden use by one or more adults. Choose a swinging day bed for longer rest – reading, sleeping out, an outdoor living room that seats several. Choose a rope swing for nostalgia, play and a lighter-touch piece that hangs from a tree or our oak frame. Our day beds guide walks through the decision.

Can I order a bespoke piece?

Yes. A meaningful portion of our work is bespoke, especially for pergolas. We work from our own designs, from a garden designer's drawings, or from a brief you send us. Contact us to discuss dimensions, timber and detailing. All bespoke work is quoted individually.

Materials and Craftmanship

What wood do you use for your swing seats?

Our oak swing seats are made from prime-grade European oak, sourced from FSC-certified managed estates in the Champagne region of France. Our painted ranges are made from Accoya, an engineered softwood with exceptional stability. All timber we use is FSC-certified.

What is Accoya and why do you use it for painted ranges?

Accoya is a proprietary modified softwood treated to be dimensionally stable, resistant to rot, and warrantied for 50 years above ground and 25 years in ground contact. That stability is what makes it the right timber for painted finishes – it doesn't move or split the way ordinary softwood does, so the paint holds. It's also FSC-certified.

Where does your oak come from?

Our prime European oak comes from FSC-certified estates in the Champagne region of France. Champagne oak is prized for its slow growth, tight grain and freedom from knots. We select only joinery-grade heartwood, rejecting sapwood and knotted sections that would compromise longevity outdoors.

Is your timber sustainably sourced?

Yes. All our timber is certified under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Every piece is traceable to its source forest. We also plant a tree for every order placed – our tree planting page has the detail.

Why do you spray-paint your seats rather than dip them?

Spray-painting in five coats gives us an exceptional finish across 132 colour options, without compromising on depth or consistency. The process is slower and demands more skill than dipping, but produces a finish that holds through decades of British weather. The five coats are: stain block, primer, undercoat, and two topcoats.

What paint colours do you offer?

We work primarily from two colour libraries: Farrow and Ball, and Cuprinol Garden Shades. In total, 132 colours are available on our painted Accoya ranges. If you have a specific colour in mind that isn't on our standard list, speak to us – we can usually match it.

What metal fixings do you use and will they rust?

All our metalwork is marine-grade stainless steel, chosen specifically to withstand salt air and rain. It will not rust when cared for. An occasional check of eyebolts and seat bolts is sensible – tightening, not replacement.

What rope do you use on your rope swings?

We use hempex rope, a synthetic rope that looks identical to natural hemp but does not rot, mould or weaken in rain. The oak seats of our rope swings are seasoned, kiln-dried FSC oak, reinforced with under-batons where the ropes enter the wood.

How are the cushions made and what fabric do you use?

Cushions are made from Sunbrella, an outdoor performance fabric that resists fading and allows water to pass through. Day bed mattresses use Nautolex Maritime Vinyl – fully waterproof and designed to be left outside year-round. Cushions should be brought in or covered during heavy rain.

Ordering, Pricing and Finance

How do I place an order?

You can order directly through our website, by phone on 01297 443084, or by email to info@sittingspiritually.co.uk. We'll always be in touch after an online order to confirm details, suggest accessories, and answer any questions before production begins.

Do I need to pay in full upfront?

No. Our normal terms are a deposit to confirm the order, with the balance payable before delivery. We won't start making your piece until you've given the final go-ahead on specification. You'll typically see a workshop photo of your finished piece around four weeks in.

How much does a Sitting Spiritually swing seat cost?

Current prices are listed in our brochure, which you can request online. Swing seat prices vary by size, range, back style and timber. For the most up-to-date pricing on a specific configuration, it's quickest to call us or use the online configurator.

Do you offer finance options?

We offer pay in 3 with Klarna for our rope swings.

Are your prices inclusive of VAT?

Prices shown on the website and in the brochure are inclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise. Delivery is itemised separately and calculated by postcode. International orders are usually zero-rated for VAT; this often offsets overseas shipping costs.

How do I request a brochure?

Request our printed brochure via the brochure request form. It arrives within a few working days and includes the full range, dimensions, colour palette and pricing. You can also view it online on the same page.

Do you offer gift vouchers?

Yes. Gift vouchers are available in any denomination and can be used against any product, including bespoke commissions. A carved rope swing with an inscription is one of our most popular gifts; vouchers work well when the recipient will want to specify their own design.

Do you ever have sales or ex-display pieces?

We occasionally offer ex-display pieces at the end of a quarter, tasteful and limited in number. These are announced to our newsletter list first. You can sign up here to be notified. We do not run across-the-range discount sales.

Lead Times, Delivery and Installation

How long does it take to make a swing seat?

Lead time from order to delivery is typically 4 to 6 weeks. Busier periods may run longer. If you need a piece by a specific date – a birthday, anniversary, or garden event – let us know at the point of order and we'll do our best to accelerate. We aim to keep a small number of pieces in stock for fast despatch.

Can you make a piece in time for a specific date?

Often, yes, but it depends on our current workshop schedule. Call us before ordering if the date is critical. Rope swings are faster than swing seats – uncarved rope swings can be ready within five working days; carved rope swings need up to 14 days.

How much does delivery cost?

Delivery is quoted by postcode and itemised separately from the product price. You can see the delivery cost for your address by adding a product to the basket and entering your postcode. Delivery is handled by Saturn Removals, our long-standing UK partner.

Who delivers my order?

UK mainland deliveries are handled by Saturn Removals, who specialise in high-value furniture. They'll call ahead to arrange a delivery window, bring the piece into the garden on the day, and carry out assembly if you've opted for it. International orders travel in protected crates by sea or road freight.

Do you deliver internationally?

Yes. We ship to Europe, North America, Australia and the rest of the world. International orders are usually zero-rated for VAT, which often absorbs a significant part of the shipping cost. Each international delivery is quoted individually. Our international delivery page has more detail.

My garden is difficult to access – is that a problem?

The vans Saturn use are Ford Transit-sized and can reach most properties. A swing seat and frame will pass through a standard door. If access is tight – narrow gate, steep steps, long garden carry – let us know at the point of order so the team can plan. We've delivered into many difficult gardens.

How heavy is a swing seat or day bed?

A two-seater oak swing seat weighs in the region of 40–50kg for the seat alone; the frame adds significantly more. A swinging day bed weighs roughly 200kg, so it's not a one-person job to position. This is why we recommend our assembly service for larger pieces.

Do you offer an assembly service?

Yes. Our assembly service is an optional extra at checkout. Saturn's team will assemble your frame in position, place the seat, adjust the chains to your preferred height, and invite you to sit and test before they leave. Assembly adds typically £47 to delivery for swing seats; day beds and pergolas are quoted individually.

Can I assemble my swing seat myself?

Yes, if you prefer. A seat and frame is straightforward for two adults. Pergolas come with numbered parts and an assembly video – our how-to-build-a-pergola video walks through the process. Day beds arrive fully assembled – you'll need help to position them.

Does the delivery team install rope swings?

We don't fit rope swings ourselves. We provide the fixing kit, guidance on measuring rope drop accurately, and a hanging tutorial video. The fitting itself is straightforward, but you will need to get up to the bough. A local tree surgeon can verify a tree's strength if you're uncertain.

Citing, Weather and Year-Round Use

Where is the best place to put a swing seat in the garden?

A level spot with some shelter, a view worth sitting for, and enough space behind to let the seat swing freely. We suggest placing a swing seat informally first – for a few days – to confirm the orientation before committing to paving slabs or bedding the legs in. Our siting video shows the space needed behind a seat.

Can I place my swing seat directly on grass?

Short-term, yes. Long-term, the legs need protection from damp. The standard approach is a paving slab under each leg, set level, which also lets you mow around the piece. Some owners set the back legs into a planting bed, with slabs underneath, so the plants grow up around the frame.

Does a swing seat need to be fixed to the ground?

Most standard swing seats do not require fixing. The frame is over-engineered for stability. We do recommend fixing the Tall Oak Frame and the Trilogy in its extra-high configuration, due to the higher centre of gravity. Our fixing guide covers the method.

Can I hang a swing seat from a pergola?

Yes, provided the pergola is structurally sufficient. Our own oak pergolas are specifically designed to carry the weight of a swing seat or swinging day bed. If you're hanging from an existing pergola, speak to us first – we can advise on fixings, spacing and whether reinforcement is needed.

Can I hang a swing seat from a tree?

Yes, but we never guarantee the tree. The two numbers we'll need are the height of the bough and its girth. If you're unsure whether the tree is sound enough to carry the load, ask a local tree surgeon to inspect. Our how-to-hang-from-a-tree video walks through the set-up.

Will my swing seat or day bed cope outdoors all year?

Yes. Our pieces are built to live outside through a British winter. Oak and Accoya are selected specifically for year-round outdoor use. The only consideration is cushions – Sunbrella cushions can take rain but shouldn't be left out indefinitely. Day bed mattresses in Nautolex vinyl stay out all year.

Do I need to cover my swing seat in winter?

Not usually. We don't cover our own. Leaving oak uncovered accelerates the silvering that gives a mature swing seat its character. Waterproof pull-over covers are available if you prefer; they're most useful if cushions are left in place.

Will a swing seat survive in a coastal or exposed garden?

Yes. Our marine-grade stainless fixings were chosen for coastal exposure. Many of our pieces live on the south and west coasts of the UK. Salt-laden air weathers oak faster towards silver, which most owners prefer – but the timber remains structurally sound.

Do wasps damage swing seats?

Some wasps do strip fibre from untreated oak for nest-building, leaving small pale patches. Treatments exist – anti-wasp oils, a rubber snake on the top beam, a freshly-sawn offcut placed nearby to draw them elsewhere – but the damage is cosmetic, not structural. Our view: wasps are useful garden insects, and patches weather in.

Care, Maintenance and Longevity

How do I care for my oak swing seat?

Regular cleaning and occasional feeding oil. The rule is simple: don't let algae or dirt build up. Wipe the seat clean with sugar soap or our recommended cleaner a few times a year. Once the natural tannins have leached out – usually after two or three years – apply a feeding oil to nourish the timber. Full guidance is on our aftercare page.

How often should I oil an oak swing seat?

Once a year is sufficient for most pieces, ideally in spring before summer use. Apply oil only once the tannins have stopped leaching from the wood – typically after the first two to three years. Oiling before that point seals the tannins in and can cause patchy colour.

What cleaner do you recommend?

Sugar soap is the simple household option and works well. We also supply a dedicated wooden furniture cleaner in our aftercare range. Avoid pressure washing on high settings – it raises the grain and can drive water into joints.

Why is my oak swing seat turning silver?

Oak silvers as it weathers. This is the natural process by which UV light and rain bleach the surface tannins. It's not a fault and doesn't affect strength. Most owners come to prefer the silvered finish. If you want to hold the golden tone, apply a feeding oil once every few months – but accept this is a commitment.

Are tannin stains on my patio or terrace normal?

Yes, especially in the first few months. Fresh oak leaches tannins when rained on; these can stain paving below. New Indian sandstone is particularly susceptible. The leaching stops after the first few serious rain events. If staining is a concern, place something under each leg for the first season.

I have black spots around the screw plugs – is that a fault?

No. Those are ferrous tannin marks, caused by the reaction between the tannins in oak and small amounts of iron in water or soil. They're cosmetic, not structural, and often weather in as the surrounding timber silvers. If they bother you, light sanding at a future refurbishment will remove them.

Will my oak swing seat crack or split?

Some shakes and small cracks are normal and do not affect strength. Oak is a natural material and will move seasonally. The joints are over-engineered to accommodate that movement. If a crack runs through a joint or looks structurally significant, call us – it's almost certainly something we can address.

How long does an oak swing seat last?

Our oldest swing seats, made when we started in 2004, still sit in our Lyme Regis garden – silvered, well-used, and structurally sound over twenty years on. With basic care, oak seats last a generation. Our 5-year guarantee is a floor, not a ceiling. A refurbishment every decade or so keeps a seat looking its best indefinitely.

How long does an Accoya painted swing seat last?

Accoya carries a 50-year above-ground manufacturer guarantee. The paint finish itself will hold for many years before any touching up is needed. When the time comes for refreshing, we offer a full repaint service as part of our refurbishment programme.

Guarantees and Refurbishment

What guarantee do you offer?

All our pieces carry a 5-year Sitting Spiritually guarantee. In practice, our oak pieces routinely last 15 years or more with care – our first swing seats from 2004 are still in service. We stand behind our work: if something is wrong through our fault, we'll put it right at our cost.

How long is the Accoya guarantee?

Accoya timber carries a 50-year manufacturer guarantee for above-ground use, and a 25-year guarantee for in-ground contact. This is one of the longest warranties available on any timber, and the reason we specify Accoya for our painted ranges.

What is the rope swing guarantee?

We offer an unconditional 12-month guarantee on all rope swings. In practice they last much longer with basic care. If a rope swing fails through a fault on our side at any point, we'll replace or repair at our expense.

What does your refurbishment service include?

Our refurbishment service takes a well-loved swing seat back to its best. Typical work includes stripping and sanding, addressing any splits or shakes, replacing weathered fixings, re-oiling or repainting, and rope replacement on swinging pieces. We assess from photographs first, then collect, refurbish and redeliver. Full details on our refurbishment page.

When should I book a refurbishment?

Most owners book a full refurbishment around year ten, though condition matters more than age. Signs it's time: silvering has turned uneven, paint is peeling in patches, joints feel loose, or the piece simply looks tired. Winter is the most popular season for refurbishment – we return seats in time for spring.

How much does a refurbishment cost?

Cost depends on the piece, condition and work required, with collection and redelivery quoted separately. As a guide, full refurbishments typically start from £1,500 including transport. Each refurbishment is quoted individually after we've seen photographs of the piece.

How do I book a refurbishment?

Email us a few clear photographs of your piece – overall shot, close-ups of any damage, and the joints. Call 01297 443084 or use our contact form. We'll quote for the work and transport, then agree a collection window that suits you.

Visiting and Seeing the Range

Can I visit the Sitting Spiritually workshop or showroom?

Yes, by appointment. Our show garden and workshop in Lyme Regis, Dorset, is open to visitors who'd like to see the range in person, try different back styles, and discuss options. Please arrange a visit through our Visit Us page or by calling 01297 443084.

Where can I see your swing seats in a public garden?

Our seats are placed in National Trust properties and RHS gardens across the country, including RHS Wisley, RHS Rosemoor, RHS Harlow Carr and RHS Bridgewater. Our Find a Seat map shows where each piece is located, so you can try before you buy while visiting a garden you'd be visiting anyway.

What is the Forde Abbey show garden?

Forde Abbey is a historic estate on the Dorset–Somerset border where we maintain a permanent collection of swing seats, day beds and rope swings within the formal gardens. Visitors to Forde Abbey can sit on, swing on, and photograph every piece. It's the closest thing we offer to a full-scale outdoor showroom.

Can I visit another owner's swing seat?

Sometimes, yes. If you're some distance from Lyme Regis and there's an existing owner near you willing to host a private viewing, we may be able to arrange it subject to their permission. Call us on 01297 443084 and we'll see what's possible in your area.

Do you exhibit at garden shows?

We regularly specify pieces for show gardens and are actively involved in the RHS show calendar. Specific event appearances are announced through our newsletter and our blog. Subscribe here to be notified.

Bespoke, Trade and Commissions

Do you work with garden designers and landscape architects?

Yes. Trade clients account for a meaningful share of our work. We can provide CAD drawings, specifications, material swatches and lead times for design briefs. For project-specific conversations please contact us directly – we're set up to work from architect's plans or garden designer drawings.

Do you supply hotels, country estates and commercial properties?

Yes. Our pieces are specified by hotels, country house estates, spas and private members' clubs across the UK and internationally. Volume, lead times and installation logistics are handled case-by-case. Contact us on 01297 443084 to discuss a commercial specification.

Do you make fully bespoke pergolas?

Yes. Bespoke pergola work is an increasing part of what we do. We can work from garden designer drawings, architectural plans, or design from scratch to your brief. Most bespoke pergolas are in prime oak, though we've worked in larch and other timbers for specific commissions.

Can I commission a piece to a specific size?

Yes. Beyond our standard one- to four-seater swing seats, we regularly make pieces to non-standard dimensions – longer benches, wider day beds, custom pergola footprints. Dimensions are worked out at the point of commission and quoted individually.

Do you supply technical specifications and drawings?

Yes. For trade commissions we provide CAD drawings, bill of materials, loading data for frames and pergolas, and site-specific installation notes. Contact us directly for specification packs on ranges you're considering.