Mad Swans, Farrington Gurney: A new hangout for teens and tweens
A few weeks back, we finally made our first trip to Mad Swans in Farrington Gurney, just south of Bristol and it did not disappoint. From the moment we walked in, the place had that playful, slightly off-beat atmosphere that immediately grabbed the kids’ attention. It’s colourful, busy and energetic… with great tunes playing everywhere. It ticked all our boxes and we’re already planning our return… and that’s saying something, because teens and tweens are not always the easiest crowd to impress. But Mad Swans delivered on entertainment from start to finish.
Our family review of Mad Swans, Farrington Gurney: padel, pizza and play
If you’re after a day out that keeps the kids buzzing with excitement, gives them room to burn off energy, and still leaves space for adults to unwind (or join in on the action), this new hangout is hard to beat. It’s fun, quirky, and packed with things to do; exactly the kind of spot families are always hunting for but rarely find.
Padel
We kicked things off with Padel, which I’ve been wanting to try for a while now. made even better by the soundtrack of Faithless and other classic tunes pumping in the background. The kids loved the quick rallies, the satisfying bounce off the glass walls and, let’s be honest, the chance to beat us a few too many times. It’s energetic, easy to pick up, and brilliant for families of mixed ages and skill levels.
There are also Pickleball courts if you fancy trying another new sport.
The Golf Barn
After Padel, we headed to the Swing Barn to try our hand at a little bit of golf. The boys loved it, laughing at their wild swings and celebrating the occasional accidental perfect shot. It’s playful, relaxed, and surprisingly addictive – ideal for keeping the kids entertained without feeling too serious or structured as golf sometimes can be. There’s also interactive screens with various games to play as you swing.
As a former golf club, it’s not surprising that golf is a theme at Mad Swans. If you wanted to play a full round, there’s a 12-hole course. Mad Swans are pushing back at the stuffy nature of traditional golf, so colourful outfits, music, drinks and laughter are all welcome… and no hats are required in the club house!
There’s also a brilliant looking Putt Patch (similar to crazy golf) which we look forward to trying in spring/summer.
Pizza at The Hangout
All that activity worked up an appetite, so The Hangout was the natural next stop. This is the upstairs bar in the main clubhouse. It’s got comfy furniture with funky patterns, and a bar serving drinks, cocktails and sourdough pizzas… which are delicious! We tucked into our pizza before diving into a family showdown of darts and shuffleboard. These little extras made the place feel even more fun and welcoming, and the kids absolutely loved bouncing between games.
A quirky, fun-filled spot (with a price tag)
Mad Swans has a charm that’s hard to describe – quirky, creative, and full of personality. We felt welcomed from the moment we arrived and it was good to see so many people out enjoying themselves – families, couples, groups of friends – everyone seems to fit here. It’s the kind of place that you can just go and ‘hang-out’ and spend a day having fun without the kids getting bored, moaning or being told off for being too loud….
It is on the pricier side though, so definitely more of a treat than a weekly hangout. But for a memorable day out that mixes activity, great food, and family fun, it genuinely feels worth it.
There are also some very cool cabins (with projector cinema screens!) for an overnight stay and a restaurant which looks mighty tempting for our next visit….