Personalised oak rope swings and luxury oak tree swings, made in Britain
There’s something timeless about a swing: the gentle motion, the quiet pause, the sense of being outdoors in a more present way. Our oak rope swings - also known as oak tree swings - are handcrafted in Britain from air-dried FSC oak and finished with beautifully tactile hempex rope for an enduring, natural feel.
Designed for gardens, orchards and country spaces, each swing is made with considered proportions and materials chosen for longevity outdoors. Optional carved inscriptions add a personal note - perfect for gifting, marking a family home, or creating a place that feels unmistakably yours.
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Commonly Asked Questions Around Rope Swings
What tree branch can I hang a rope swing from?
A live, healthy hardwood bough, roughly level, with clear space beneath and to either side for the swing's arc. If you are unsure, send us a photograph of the tree with something for scale and we will tell you whether it will take a swing. If the bough slopes, our guide to hanging from a sloping bough shows how to move the fulcrum point.
Why Hempex rope rather than natural hemp?
Hempex looks and feels like hemp but will not rot, which natural fibre left in a tree eventually does. Ours is made by a long-established marine rope maker. It is threaded through the seat rather than spliced around it, so the oak is not squeezed at the edges, which is where swings tied the other way tend to split.
What is the no-knots hanging system?
It is how the swing goes up without tying a knot: the rope arrives ready to fix to the bough or beam, and the height is set without a knot that can slip or need re-tying. Every swing comes with it as standard.
Can a rope swing hang from a beam or ceiling?
Yes. Our stainless steel pivot set fixes to a sound timber beam inside or out, and our guide to hanging from a beam or ceiling shows the fixings and spacing. The beam has to carry a moving load, not just the weight of the swing, so check it with a builder if it is part of the house structure.
What if I do not have a suitable tree?
Hang it from one of our oak frames. There are three heights: Standard at 2.0m suits younger children, Mid at 2.35m gives older children a longer swing, and High at 2.7m gives adults a full, slow swing. Each frame has room for a second swing. We recommend fixing every frame down, and the High frame must be fixed down. A frame with one swing starts from £2,265
Are rope swings only for children?
No. The single and two-seat swings are made for adults as well as children, and the Round swing takes sitting, standing or curling up. The Children's swing is sized for smaller swingers.
What timber is the seat made from?
Air-dried FSC certified oak, with oak battens fixed beneath the seat for strength. Air-dried oak is seasoned slowly outdoors, so it moves less once it is hanging in the weather. It turns silver-grey over a summer or two; see our swing seat FAQs for why oak silvers and what the fine checks mean.
Can I have a name or message carved into the swing?
Yes. A carving costs £100 for up to 15 characters, with spaces free, then £10 for each character after that, and £50 to carve the second side. Names, dates and a short line from a poem or a family saying are the usual choices. We send a proof before any carving starts.
How much does a rope swing cost, and how quickly does it arrive?
The Single and Children's swings are £379, the Round £295 and the Two-seat £449, including VAT and UK delivery. Swings are ready in five days, or up to 14 days with a carving.
What guarantee comes with a rope swing?
Rope swings carry an unconditional twelve-month guarantee. Check the rope and fixings at the start of each season, as you would with any swing that hangs in the weather, and call us if anything looks worn.
Where can I sit on one before I buy?
At our show garden at Forde Abbey, near Chard, by appointment.
For more frequently asked questions, please see the Garden Swing Seats FAQ page
From the trees of their own gardens
Hung from old oaks, garden beams and handmade oak frames, our rope swings have a way of drawing the whole family back outdoors. Read what their owners have to say.
Our Rope Swing Customer Gallery
Enjoy some of these stunning photographs of our seats taken across customer gardens.
Rope Swing Dimensions and Footprint
Due to the handcrafted nature of our products the final footprint can vary slightly from seat to seat, measurements provided are for the largest expected dimensions.
Click an image to enlarge
What should you look for when buying a Rope Swing?
There’s nothing in life quite the same as sitting on a rope swing and watching the world fly beneath your feet. Whether you’re a child, an adult or a couple. Our Oak rope swings can be hung from your own tree or - if you don’t have the right tree in your garden - can be fixed to one of our high oak frames.
Our ropes are made by a highly respected marine rope maker, and threaded through the swings to avoid splitting. Our rope swings are strengthened with battens, and we provide a unique, simple, no knots hanging system as standard.
All of our rope swings can be engraved with an optional inscription of your choice. Why not order yours from our website today?
Watch as Sitting Spiritually founder Martin Young guides you through the decision making process for purchasing a bespoke Rope Swing.
Elegant, Robust & Beautifully Made
Our new rope swing is an elegant, robust and beautifully made addition to the garden. It was simple to hang and is of the best quality one could hope for. A timeless, classic swing that looks as though it has been lifted from the illustrations of a much loved children’s book. Many thanks for the craftsmanship, love and care that have gone into this swing. May we all approach everything that we do and make with the same ethos.
Google Review
Oak Rope Swings for Adults & Children Alike
Not all wooden swings are for children. Adult swings are made from oak and are made to hang from either a tree or a high oak frame. There are few things in life quite like swinging and watching the world go by. Wooden swings for adults give you the chance to relax and watch the world go by in comfort on our customised rope swing seats. Not sure if the rope swing is for you? Take a look at our range of garden swing seats.
Common Questions About Hanging a Rope Swing
Measuring for a Rope Swing
Hanging a rope swing really needn't be anything to worry about.
Hanging from a Beam or Ceiling
Our stainless steel pivot set makes hanging from a beam or ceiling a piece of cake.
Working with a Sloping Bough
Our step by step guide on changing the fulcrum point when you have a sloping bough.
What makes a Sitting Spiritually rope swing the best?
There’s something alluringly nostalgic about a rope swing, and installing one in your outdoor space will conjure up magical childhood memories of carefree Sunday afternoons spent in the garden when all is right with the world.
Strengthening Oak Battens
Our rope swings have strengthening oak battens underneath them adding to their stability, and each rope swing comes with our unique, simple, no knots hanging system as standard.
Customised Inscriptions
If you’re looking for an extra dose of individual charm, you can also add a custom inscription to your swing; maybe a meaningful phrase, or the name of the recipient? The choice is yours!
Marine Quality Hempex Ropes
Where others have the ropes spliced around the rope swing, meaning the wood may be prone to split over time, our ropes, which are made by a long established marine rope maker, are threaded through the rope swing.
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