Mad Swans To Launch South Downs Hospitality And Leisure Destination

Mad Swans is to open its second location, Mad Swans in the South Downs, on 1 June, following the launch of its debut site in the Mendips.

Located on the Surrey-Hampshire border within the South Downs National Park, the new countryside hospitality site will bring together sport, dining, events and overnight stays. The site is within reach of London, Guildford and Farnham, with Waterloo around 55 minutes away by train.

The South Downs opening builds on Mad Swans’ model of combining outdoor activity with informal hospitality. Led by Joel Cadbury and Ollie Vigors, the duo behind Beaverbrook and the Bel & Dragon, the venture also includes creative input from chef and strategic investor Ollie Dabbous, with menu design by Group Head Chef Steve Rooney.

The new site has been developed around a 12-hole golf course, designed by Mackenzie & Ebert, alongside racquet sports, social games, restaurants, cabins and private event space.

Play: Golf, Racquet Sports And Social Games

The South Downs course follows Mad Swans’ 12-hole format, giving guests the option to play 6, 12 or 18 holes. Designed by Mackenzie & Ebert, whose work includes projects at Royal Portrush, Royal St George’s and Turnberry, the layout has been created to offer a shorter and more flexible round while retaining the structure of traditional golf.

The course responds to the site’s natural contours, with new greens, tee complexes and bunkers introduced as part of the redesign. Water is a more prominent feature than at the Mendips course, including at the fifth hole, where an island green creates a focal point for both players and spectators.

Investment has also been made in irrigation and drainage, with the aim of improving year-round use on a site previously known for wet conditions.

Environmental considerations have formed part of the course works. Materials found on site have been repurposed where possible, including eucalyptus for tee markers and ash trees affected by dieback disease, which have been reworked into course furniture and signage. Existing topsoil and sand have also been redistributed to reduce the need for imported materials.

Ecological measures include beehives, habitat piles and wetland fringes around ponds to support biodiversity. Water harvesting systems have been introduced to supplement irrigation, while grass species have been selected for drought and disease tolerance. Husqvarna robotic mowers are also used across the course to support turf maintenance while reducing emissions and disruption to the landscape and wildlife.

Beyond the main course, the South Downs site will include padel and pickleball courts, with coaching available for individual and group sessions. A new Putt Patch mini golf layout has also been designed for families, groups and first-time players.

The Swing Barn will provide a covered, all-weather driving range with private bays, sofa seating, unlimited balls and Toptracer golf games. Guests will be able to order cocktails, craft beer, wine and food to the bays.

Darts and shuffleboard will complete the competitive socialising offer, with both activities incorporating augmented reality technology.

Eat And Drink

Food and drink will be centred around two restaurants. The Potting Shed will serve countryside-style dishes using produce from local suppliers, with planned menu items including Roasted Suckling Pig with Roasted Apple, Fennel Slaw & Sage Jus and Crispy Cornish Squid with Chipotle Aioli & Lime.

The Hangout will offer house-made pizzas from £12, alongside ice creams, desserts and cocktails.

Indoor and outdoor seating has been arranged to support both dining and socialising, including a veranda overlooking the Putt Patch and the route back to the Lodge from the final tee.

Stay: Eco Cabins In The South Downs

Mad Swans’ eco cabins will be positioned within the surrounding countryside, with twin and double cabin options available.

The cabins will include large windows, queen-sized beds, drop-down cinema-style projectors, walk-in showers, radio players and refreshment facilities. Interiors will use a palette of greens and blues with red accents, while amenities will be supplied by British brand Bramley.

Cabins will be available from 1 June, with further additions planned in the months ahead. Selected cabins will be fully accessible.

Woodland Tipi: Weddings And Events

The South Downs site will introduce the Woodland Tipi, a setting for weddings, celebrations and private events.

Set within the landscape, the space is intended to support a range of formats, from smaller gatherings to larger celebrations. Food, drink and entertainment can be integrated into the wider Mad Swans offer, while on-site accommodation allows events to extend beyond a single day.

Family And Community Focus

Mad Swans has been developed to welcome a range of ages and sporting abilities, with an emphasis on time outdoors and away from screens. Guests will be able to take part in coached sessions, use the games areas or spend time across the wider site.

Sustainability remains part of the wider operational approach, with energy-efficient practices, recycling, EV charging and eco-bikes planned for the South Downs site. Biodiversity measures include rewilding, tree planting, beehives and wildflower meadow restoration, with plans for self-sufficiency also being developed.

Mad Swans in the South Downs will open on 1 June.

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