The workshop is closed between 23rd December and 2nd January. Wishing you a very Merry Xmas!

Outside Rooms & Spaces

The sales of swings and parkland benches has increased beyond the seasonal demand. Just as well, since nobody is buying Wedding Presents at the moment…

When The Sunday Telegraph wrote about The Green Wellbeing Space last weekend they came to us to talk about our oak garden swings.

Given our experience and our track record as ‘the world’s most famous swing maker’, we are well placed to comment:

You are never too old to enjoy a garden swing –and crucially parents can’t push a swing with a mobile phone in their hand. It is a space where children will play, teenagers will hang out and adults can steal a quiet moment with a cup of coffeeor evening drink.
- Jeanette Aurdal, founder of The Oak & Rope Company, quoted in The Sunday Telegraph 26th April 2020.

A lot has been written about the importance of creating additional space and even some new solitary spaces in the press of late. The Garden is the first place to look.

Creating a little seating area in a new part of the garden, can provide a much needed change of scenery. The Classic bench is easy to carry to different spots, so you don't have to settle on one. These solid oak benches can be used both inside and outside...

Our Parkland benches are so comfortable, it is like sitting in a sofa. The generous proportions also make them last a lifetime. They are made to stand the test of all seasons in our climate, and requires very little looking after.

Our favourites are of course the swings.

We have made a fair amount of important swings in our time. For royals, celebrities and the rest, all around the world. See our Press Cover page for our biggest publicity ever...

However, the swing below is our most recent favourite. We made it shortly before the Easter weekend, and it could not be more romantic! We do not joke when we say the things we make becomes part of people's stories...

A lot of people don’t think they have the right tree or space for a swing, but we have lots of ways around it. (See the leaflet with our suggestions, which comes with every swing).

The most popular engraving for our swings is 'To the moon and back...' from the 'Guess How Much I Love You' children's book by Sam McBratney, but we have a lot of other suggestions for you here.

The wooden swings create a focal point in the garden, even if you put it somewhere you don’t normally go. So many people tell us that their children always head straight to the swing when they go outside.

They truly make a special place for both giggles and special chats. They become part of your childhood memories. It is often this nostalgia that makes people buy our solid oak swings for their homes. They want to give their own children or grandchildren the chance to experience these simple pleasures. The swinging motion itself is even reported to have therapeutic properties. When buying something that will become part of your story, only the best will do. Our hand carved oak swings are the heirlooms of the future.

At Oak & Rope we are making the most of our isolated location and workshop. With a much reduced team we are able to keep making our unique designs, and delivery thoughtful presents within our usual 2 week delivery times, whilst staying safe.

It is our duty to keep the wheels turning and do what we can to secure our jobs. The usual influx of wedding present orders is lacking, but we are delighted to see that we have so many loyal customers who are using this time to get around to preparing their special places in their garden or in their homes, and even catching up with or planning ahead with thoughtful presents for their loved ones.

We are grateful for this support and very happy to still be able to offer an excellent service to our customers.

Unpresidented times means that we know even less of what to expect from one day to the next. It means learning to enjoy the moment when you can… It still bugs me that I didn’t pick up the phone (as I kept meaning to) the weeks before lockdown, to invite a few girlfriends for lunch…

I’m hoping I have learnt a lesson.

So now I have put my sun-lounger in a solitary spot in the garden, and I am making sure I go and sit there or on one of the swings or benches for even a few moments each day, whilst I can…

Because when all of this is over I will be too busy doing school runs, making wedding present and of course having those lunches…

Stay safe, make the most of where you are and keep us going if you can…

Sometimes I just sits... said Winnie-the-Pooh

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