Overview
Swarling Manor
A grand country house, glorious gardens and room for everyone to come together.
Welcome to Swarling Manor, an enchanting historic Georgian manor house tucked away in the beautiful Kent countryside, just outside the cathedral city of Canterbury. Rich in character, charm and history, this impressive country retreat offers a wonderful setting for family holidays, milestone birthdays, reunions and those precious occasions when getting everyone together is what matters most.
Sleeping up to 22 guests across seven bedrooms, Swarling Manor combines the elegance of a traditional English country house with the comfort and space needed for modern group living.
From its handsome brick exterior and magnificent entrance to its beautiful sash windows, antique furnishings, four-poster beds and inviting fireplaces, the house is full of period charm. Yet despite its grandeur, there is a lovely sense of warmth and homeliness throughout, inviting guests to settle in, relax and truly make themselves at home.
Space to gather, and space to escape.
One of Swarling Manor's greatest pleasures is the abundance of living space. With four distinct areas for relaxing, there's no need for everyone to do the same thing at once.
Adults can settle into the elegant sitting room for an evening of conversation, enjoy a quiet moment surrounded by books in the library and drawing room, or gather around the glowing log burner with a glass of wine.
Meanwhile, the more relaxed first-floor family lounge, complete with a large television, is perfect for film nights, while the cosy television area adjoining the kitchen provides another welcoming spot for younger guests.
A kitchen made for bringing everyone together.
At the heart of the house is a wonderful country kitchen designed for feeding a crowd. With an Aga, two additional ovens, two dishwashers, a large American-style fridge freezer, pantry and separate utility room with laundry facilities, there's plenty of space and equipment for preparing everything from leisurely breakfasts to celebratory dinners.
The impressive dining table can accommodate up to 22 guests with the addition of benches, creating a fabulous setting for a special meal together. Seating is cosy when the full group gathers, but that's all part of the fun!
The adjoining lounge offers a particularly handy alternative for children who might prefer supper and a film while the grown-ups linger around the dining table.
Bedrooms full of charm and character.
Spread across three floors, Swarling Manor's seven bedrooms provide a delightful mixture of traditional double bedrooms and flexible shared sleeping arrangements.
A double bedroom on the ground floor is joined by two further doubles on the first floor, while the top floor is home to three additional double bedrooms and a separate children's dormitory.
One of the top-floor bedrooms features a beautiful four-poster bed alongside bunk beds and an additional single bed, making it an ideal space for a family sharing. The separate dormitory provides a fun and sociable sleeping space for children, teenagers or friends.
In total, six double beds accommodate 12 guests, while a combination of single beds, trundle beds and bunk beds provides sleeping space for a further ten guests.
With two bathrooms, two separate shower rooms and an additional WC, facilities are conveniently spread across the house, with at least one bathroom or shower room on each floor.
Step outside into the Kent countryside.
Swarling Manor sits within a magnificent countryside estate, surrounded by established gardens, expansive lawns, mature trees and beautiful rural scenery.
Enjoy morning coffee in the sunshine, settle into the outdoor seating with a good book, or gather everyone around the large family BBQ for long afternoons of food, laughter and fresh country air.
There's space for children to enjoy the lawns and for adults to simply soak up the peaceful surroundings.
And because no family gathering is quite complete without its four-legged members, up to two dogs are welcome too.
Discover the best of Kent.
Despite its wonderfully rural setting, Swarling Manor is just outside Canterbury, making it an excellent base for discovering historic landmarks, picturesque villages, countryside walks, vineyards and Kent's beautiful coastline.
Whether your plans involve exploring, celebrating or doing very little at all, Swarling Manor offers something increasingly precious: a beautiful place where everyone can spend time together, with enough space to enjoy a little independence too.
Come together, make wonderful memories and enjoy a taste of country house living at Swarling Manor.
Some images shown are inspiration images intended to illustrate the finished style and standard of the property and are examples only; the completed interiors may differ from those shown
At a Glance
BBQ
Courtyard or Patio
Family Friendly
Fireplace/Wood Burner
Garden
Large Groups
Non-smoking
Off Street Parking
Pets Welcome
Rural
Suitable for Workationing
Village
WiFi
Shop Nearby
Pub Nearby
Travel Cot
Coffee Machine
Take a look at
The Finer Details
Ground floor
Enter Swarling Manor and immediately discover the character of this historic country house, with traditional architectural details, beautiful woodwork and a welcoming sense of grandeur.
Kitchen and dining
The spacious country kitchen is exceptionally well equipped for group catering, featuring an Aga, two additional ovens, two dishwashers, a large American-style fridge freezer and a separate pantry.
An adjoining utility room provides laundry facilities for longer stays.
The magnificent dining area is a highlight of the house, with its long dining table, traditional furnishings and elegant surroundings. Benches allow seating for up to 22 guests, although the arrangement is cosy at maximum capacity.
A comfortable open-plan seating area adjoining the kitchen has its own television, making it a wonderful informal space for younger guests to relax, watch a film or enjoy a meal away from the main dining table.
Adult sitting room
A beautiful traditional lounge provides a more sophisticated space for relaxing, enjoying conversations or unwinding with family and friends.
With its characterful furnishings and elegant surroundings, this is the perfect place to settle in with a glass of wine after a busy day exploring Kent.
The house also has a welcoming log burner, with firewood supplied for guests.
Library and drawing room
For those seeking somewhere peaceful, the separate library and drawing room is filled with books and characterful furniture.
With no television, it's a lovely spot to read, enjoy one of the games provided or simply escape for a little quiet time.
Ground-floor bedroom
A comfortable double bedroom provides accommodation on the ground floor, particularly useful for groups travelling with different generations.
Ground-floor shower room
A separate shower room is also located on this level.
First floor
The first floor is home to two beautifully appointed double bedrooms, each reflecting the traditional character and charm of Swarling Manor, with elegant furnishings, period features and inviting interiors.
Family lounge
Also on this floor is a wonderful family lounge, providing another comfortable space for guests to spread out and relax.
With a large television and plenty of room to settle in, it's perfect for family film nights, children spending time together or simply enjoying a little downtime away from the main living areas downstairs.
Having a separate lounge on this level is particularly useful when several generations or families are holidaying together, allowing everyone to enjoy their own space.
Bathroom facilities are also available on this floor.
Second floor
At the top of the house, three further double bedrooms offer charming accommodation, retaining the traditional country house style found throughout the manor.
Four-poster family bedroom
One of these bedrooms is particularly special, featuring a beautiful four-poster double bed alongside bunk beds and an additional single bed.
This flexible arrangement makes it an excellent choice for parents sharing with children, allowing everyone to sleep together in one spacious room.
Children's dormitory
Also on the top floor is a separate dormitory-style bedroom, offering a fun and sociable sleeping space for children, teenagers or friends.
With a mixture of additional single, trundle and bunk sleeping arrangements, it's ideal for younger guests who will love the opportunity to share a room and enjoy their own sleepover-style experience.
The dormitory is particularly useful for larger family groups, allowing the adults to enjoy their own bedrooms while younger guests have a shared space.
Bathroom or shower facilities are also available on this floor.
Bathrooms and sleeping arrangements
Swarling Manor sleeps a maximum of 22 guests across seven bedrooms, spread over three floors.
Bedroom layout
Ground floor: One double bedroom.
First floor: Two double bedrooms.
Second floor: Three double bedrooms, including the four-poster bedroom with additional bunk and single beds, plus a separate children's dormitory.
Sleeping capacity
Six double beds, sleeping 12 guests.
Single and trundle beds, sleeping six guests.
Bunk beds, sleeping four guests.
The additional sleeping spaces are shared between the top-floor four-poster bedroom and the separate children's dormitory.
Bathroom facilities
There are two bathrooms, including a Jack and Jill bathroom shared between two double bedrooms, two separate shower rooms and an additional WC with washbasin.
At least one bathroom or shower room is available on each floor, including a shower room on the ground floor.
Gardens and outdoor spaces
Swarling Manor benefits from beautiful landscaped grounds, extensive lawns, mature trees and established planting.
Outdoor furniture offers space to relax and enjoy the surroundings, while the large family BBQ is ideal for outdoor cooking and sociable afternoons.
The beautiful gardens provide a lovely setting for morning coffee, lazy afternoons and spending time together in the fresh Kent countryside.
Please note that the gardens are not fully enclosed, so dogs should be supervised. Dogs must remain downstairs at all times. Strictly no dogs are permitted upstairs or on any furniture.
Swarling Manor is also part of an established wedding venue, and a small designated section of the gardens may occasionally be reserved briefly for a wedding ceremony. Full details are provided in the Other Things to Note section.
Take a moment to glance at the
Things to Note
Weddings and events on the estate
Swarling Manor forms part of an established countryside wedding venue. While our guests enjoy private use of the manor house, other areas of the estate may be used for weddings and celebrations during your stay.
If a wedding ceremony takes place, the garden area around the pergola may be screened off for approximately 30 minutes.
This will happen no more than once per day and is unlikely to occur more than once during your stay. The remainder of the manor's usual garden areas remains accessible during this time.
Wedding receptions take place elsewhere on the estate. On wedding days, guests may hear music or other celebration noise, potentially continuing until midnight.
We are happy to provide information about weddings currently scheduled during your proposed stay upon request. Please be aware that wedding arrangements may change after your holiday booking has been confirmed.
Parking
Ample parking is available.
Additional parking may sometimes be available by prior arrangement, but cannot be guaranteed.
Dining capacity
The main dining table accommodates up to 22 guests using benches alongside chairs. This is a cosy arrangement at full occupancy.
Log burner
Firewood is supplied for guests to enjoy the log burner during their stay.
Historic property
Swarling Manor is a historic three-storey property with stairs between floors. There is one double bedroom and a shower room on the ground floor for guests with mobility challenges.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
House rules
Check-in and check-out
Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is by 10am, unless otherwise agreed in advance.
Early check-in or late check-out may be possible subject to availability and an additional charge.
Occupancy and gatherings
The maximum overnight occupancy is 22 guests, including children although we would allow up to two additional toddlers or babies in travel cots that can be provided.
Only guests included in the booking may stay overnight.
Any plans for an organised event or celebration involving additional visitors must be discussed and agreed in advance. A holiday booking does not include the right to host a wedding or other event on the estate. Howevr if you are interested in these services please do enquire.
Dogs
Up to two dogs are welcome at £50 per dog, per stay.
Please supervise dogs throughout your visit, particularly in the gardens, which are not fully enclosed. Dogs must remain downstairs at all times. Strictly no dogs are permitted upstairs or on any furniture.
Keep dogs under control, respect other estate users and wildlife, and clean up after your pets as per the check in instructions you will receive prior to your stay.
Smoking and vaping
Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside the house.
Respecting the property
Swarling Manor is a historic listed building containing traditional furnishings and decorative features.
Please treat the house and its contents with care and report any accidental damage as soon as possible.
Please use the log burner responsibly and never leave a lit fire unattended.
Children and outdoor areas
Children must be supervised appropriately throughout the house and grounds, particularly around outdoor features and when using the BBQ.
Noise and consideration
Please respect neighbouring properties, the wider estate and other people who may be visiting for an event.
Estate and wedding arrangements
Please respect any clearly designated event areas and temporary access restrictions during wedding ceremonies.
Check your dates
Availability & Booking
A stunning location
Canterbury
An idyllic Kent countryside setting, just outside historic Canterbury.
Swarling Manor is located in Petham, a picturesque village surrounded by rolling countryside, woodland and the beautiful landscapes of the Kent Downs.
Its peaceful rural surroundings offer a wonderful escape from everyday life, while the historic city of Canterbury is conveniently close by.
Canterbury is one of England's most captivating cities, famous for its magnificent cathedral, medieval streets and centuries of history. Spend a day exploring independent boutiques, discovering hidden courtyards, enjoying riverside walks or sampling the excellent restaurants, cafés and traditional pubs.
Families will find plenty of opportunities for days out, with Howletts Wild Animal Park within easy reach, alongside gardens, wildlife attractions and countryside adventures.
For keen walkers and nature lovers, the surrounding Kent countryside offers scenic footpaths, pretty villages and woodland trails.
Kent is also celebrated for its vineyards, making wine tasting an excellent option for an afternoon out.
If you fancy a day by the sea, the charming coastal town of Whitstable is well worth discovering. Famous for its oysters, independent shops, working harbour and picturesque seafront, it offers a lovely contrast to the countryside.
Whether you're visiting for a family celebration, exploring historic Kent or planning a relaxing country escape, Swarling Manor offers a wonderful base for discovering the Garden of England.
