Discover Swanmore

Looking for a hotel for a stay in Swanmore? To help choose where to stay, consider what interests you most: historic architecture, village history, public footpaths or leisure facilities in Swanmore Park. These themes offer different perspectives. You can plan your trip around whether architectural history, the heritage of the local Quakers or outdoor activity matters most to you.

Architecture and Local History

Tudor Cottage is a Grade II listed building and a timber-framed house dating from around 1600. Its approximate date and construction give the house a distinctive architectural profile. Its Grade II listing adds another dimension to its significance as a listed building.

The Church of St Barnabas offers a different point of comparison: Ferrey designed the Neo-Romanesque parish church in 1844. This makes it possible to compare different periods and building styles: the timber-framed house dating from around 1600 and the 19th-century church. If you are interested in architecture, the construction date, style and building type provide concrete clues to help you understand Swanmore’s local history.

Quaker History and the Brick Industry

Swanmore’s small Quaker burial ground is one of the earliest Quaker burial grounds in England. Its history includes a specific beginning and a later return: in 1657, Richard Suet, also known as Sewett, made an orchard available as a burial ground for his fellow believers among the local Quakers. The burial ground was restored and returned to the Quakers in 1908. Its history thus spans the 17th to the early 20th century, linking the early burial ground with its return to the Quakers.

The brick industry is also part of Swanmore’s history. From the mid-19th century, it developed into a thriving trade following the Enclosure Acts, using local clay deposits in the valley. The period, historical context and use of local raw materials offer a different way to explore the village than its buildings or Quaker burial ground: here, the focus is on industrial development.

Walks and Outdoor Recreation

Many public footpaths run through the parish of Swanmore; they are part of a network of public rights of way in Hampshire. Swanmore Park also has a BMX pump track and a skatepark. This gives you different leisure options to consider when planning your trip: footpaths through the parish and two sports facilities in the park. You can decide whether you would rather connect your stay with public footpaths or your interest in BMX and skateparks.

Café and Pavilion

Barnaby’s is a café in the heart of Swanmore village, adding a local place to visit alongside the historical attractions. Swanmore’s pavilion is available to rent. It has a kitchen, toilets and an open-plan space that can be arranged flexibly.

Discover more destinations: Cadnam, Hound, Bishop's Waltham, Eastleigh, Hythe, Wolverton, Alton, Houghton.

For the wider travel guide, see: Hampshire.