There's a specific kind of happiness that only comes from swaying gently in the garden with nowhere to be. A cup of tea, a book you're not really reading, the odd push of a foot against the ground to keep things moving. Swing seats and hammocks are the furniture built entirely around that feeling, and they're the pieces households genuinely squabble over, because once someone's in the good one, they're not getting up.
The catch is that "swing seat" covers several quite different things, and the right one depends on your garden and on how you actually like to relax. So rather than a spec list, here's a walk through the main types and who each one suits.
The canopy swing seat: the family favourite
If you picture a swing seat, this is probably it. A padded bench for two or three people, hung from a sturdy steel A-frame, with an adjustable canopy overhead to keep the sun off. It's the sociable choice, the one where two of you sit together on a summer evening or the kids pile on.
These are the workhorses of the range, and they come with clever touches. The adjustable canopy tilts to block the sun wherever it happens to be, several have cup holders built in, and a good number convert from an upright bench into a flat swing bed, so the same seat does upright chatting and full-on lounging. There's a three-seater in the range that folds down into a bed and even includes an insect net, which is a lovely thing on a still evening when the midges are out. If you've got the lawn or patio space and you want somewhere the whole family can perch, this is the one. Just remember it needs clear room all round for the swinging motion, so it isn't a squeeze-into-a-corner piece.
The hanging egg chair: the one everyone photographs
The egg chair has become the showpiece of the modern garden, and for good reason. It's a cocoon-shaped hanging seat that wraps around you, usually on its own stand so you don't need to fix anything to a beam, and it has a cosier, more enclosed feel than an open bench.
This is the pick when you want your own spot rather than a shared one. Curling up inside an egg chair with a blanket is about as snug as outdoor seating gets, and the thick cushions the range uses, some 20cm deep, make them genuinely comfortable rather than just good-looking. They suit a covered patio, a decked corner or even a conservatory, since many work indoors too. There are single pods for solo lounging and roomy doubles if you'd rather share the cocoon. They cost a bit more than a basic hammock, but they're as much a feature of the garden as a seat, and they're the thing guests always want a go on.
The classic hammock: the purest form of lazing
Sometimes you don't want a chair at all. You want to lie flat, sling an arm over the side, and drift off in the shade. That's the hammock, and nothing else quite matches it for pure horizontal relaxation.
The choice here comes down to how you'll hang it. If you're lucky enough to have two well-placed trees or solid posts the right distance apart, a simple hanging hammock strings between them for very little money. If you haven't, a hammock with its own wooden or metal stand solves the problem entirely, letting you set it up anywhere on the lawn and move it to chase the shade or the sun. There's a fabric hammock with a wooden stand in the range that gives you that freedom without needing a single tree. For an afternoon nap in the garden, nothing beats it.
The glider and rocking bench: gentle motion, less swing
Not everyone wants a big swinging arc, and for tighter spaces or a steadier feel there's a quieter option. Gliding chairs and rocking benches move with a smooth back-and-forth or a gentle rock rather than a full swing, so they need far less clearance and suit a smaller patio.
A gliding chair with a breathable mesh seat is a comfortable, no-fuss spot for one, ideal if you just want somewhere to sit and read with a bit of soothing movement. A two-seater rocking bench brings the same easy motion for a pair, with the safety stoppers stopping it tipping. If a full swing seat feels like too much for your space, these give you the movement without the footprint.
Getting it right: a few practical points
Whichever type tempts you, a few things save disappointment. Check the weight capacity against who'll be using it, since these range from around 120kg for a single hammock up to 300kg for a three-seater swing, and it's listed on every product. Leave proper clearance, ideally 1.5 to 2 metres around any hanging or swinging seat, so nobody clips a wall or a plant pot mid-sway. And think about where the sun sits in your garden through the day, so your canopy or your shady tree is actually where you need it.
The one thing that will make your swing seat last is protecting it. The fabrics are water and UV resistant, but they're not indestructible, so bringing cushions in during heavy rain and slipping a cover over the frame for winter makes a real difference to how many summers you get out of it. The range sells fitted covers made for exactly this, and they're cheap next to the seat they protect.
Have a browse through the full swing seats and hammocks range to find the one that fits your garden, and it's worth a look at the sun loungers and parasols too if you're building a proper spot to relax outdoors.
Every order comes with free delivery to UK mainland addresses, dispatch within 3 to 5 working days, and no hidden fees. If you change your mind or order the wrong one, returns are welcome, though the return postage would be down to you in that case, while anything faulty or damaged is handled separately by the team.
