Oak Leaf Swing

The National Trust have a ‘Swinging Summer’ theme at a number of their properties, and we created a special new swing based on their Oak Leaf logo. They can be found at Montacute House and Barrington House in Somerset. You will also see them featured on the National Trust’s Website. Following on from this we have just delivered the first Oak Leaf swing to be ordered by a private customer to a member of the House of Lords.

This is what the National Trust had to say: Our gardens will be swinging this summer

Fourteen new beautifully designed swings have been hung from the treetops at our properties across south Somerset for visitors to enjoy this summer.

The swings range from a copper seat shaped as a huge Oak leaf at Montacute House, a traditional swing made from felled Horse Chestnut trees at Barrington Court and a sensory herbal pod swing at Lytes Cary Manor.

Designed to provoke nostalgic memories of childhood fun and to encourage visitors out into areas not always visited, the swings are dotted around the grounds and gardens of four of our locations in south Somerset. Most of the individual swings have a particular theme, and have been inspired by stories from the houses, gardens and surrounding area.

Richard Higgs, general manager for south Somerset, said: ‘We all have those memories of summer days spent playing on creaky swings surrounded by the smell of grass. We wanted to let our visitors relive those memories, perhaps in a little more relaxing way, with a very varied choice of swings and seats dotted around our sites, just waiting to be discovered, tried and enjoyed.’

Sculpture quality

The highlights are two large copper swings fashioned as Oak leaves created by designer Stephen Myburgh, who is known for his unique garden furniture which is both functional and sympathetic to the environment.

‘Stephen’s garden swings have a sculpture like quality to them, and are inspired by some of the most beautiful places in our gardens, added Richard. ‘We hope they will give visitors an unusual place to sit and enjoy the views across Montacute and Barrington.’

Other designs include one created by volunteers at Montacute House, inspired by the burning basket, the emblem of the Phelips family who previously lived there, and Tranquility, a three-seater swing with a fanned back at Tintinhull Garden.

‘We’re well known for these inspiring and intriguing houses but many of our visitors don’t venture out to discover that the gardens and grounds can give just as much enjoyment, out in the fresh air,’ added Richard. ‘By seeking out these swings dotted around the landscape, we hope they will find new places of interest, as well as a new way of having fun.’

The fourteen swings are scattered around the grounds of Barrington Court, Lytes Cary Manor, Montacute House and Tintinhull Garden. For safety, the trees from which the swings are hung have all been rigorously inspected and each swing will be checked daily by our staff.

Photos National Trust ©

One Response to “Oak Leaf Swing”