This October welcomes the opening of Mad Swans, the latest venture from Longshot, the leisure and hospitality group founded in 1994. Mad Swans is a new countryside concept and hangout in the Mendips, redefining modern hospitality, sport and sustainability.
Eco-cabin stays, a world-class 12-hole golf course, a state-of-the-art driving range (The Swing Barn), padel and pickleball, putt patch, darts and exceptional eating experiences, all under one roof. Mad Swans re-imagines the sport of golf. All the sports and activities available at Mad Swans are vibrant, relaxed, inclusive hubs where play transcends age and experience.
Mad Swans is built around a 12-hole course designed by internationally renowned architect Tom Mackenzie. The Mackenzie & Ebert team are behind transformations at courses such as Royal Portrush, Royal St George’s, Turnberry and advisers to eight of the ten Open Championship venues.
The brief given was unique, to design a course that pays tribute to golf’s heritage while reenvisioning it for today’s players and for the next hundred years. The result is a flexible layout that can be played as six, twelve, or eighteen holes, offering both the challenge expected by seasoned golfers and the accessibility demanded by newcomers.
It reflects the wider, fast-growing industry trend towards more adaptable formats. 12-hole golf is also endorsed by iconic championship advocates including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sir Nick Faldo, who recently visited the Mad Swans in the Mendips.
The delivery of the ambitious golf project at Mad Swans has been led by 360 Golf, a consultancy with expertise in masterplanning, operations, and business strategy for golf venues worldwide.
Working alongside the creative vision of Mackenzie & Ebert to find the perfect locations, 360 Golf has ensured the Mad Swans concept is commercially robust while aligned with evolving market demands around time, inclusivity and player experience.
The Founders have been clear that Mad Swans is designed to broaden participation. The 12-hole movement is quickly gaining momentum and challenges seasoned golfers and newcomers’ desire without demanding an entire day, all while bringing a more relaxed, social spirit.
The destination will encourage more women, younger players and families to engage with the sport, moving away from the traditional formality of more old-school membership golf clubs. Mad Swans is an accessible, social and welcoming place. In doing so, it mirrors broader shifts across the leisure sector, where accessibility and community are as important as the sporting challenge itself.
Set against the beauty of the backdrop of the Mendip Hills, Mad Swans is not only a really new and exciting addition to the region but also part of a bigger conversation about how golf is evolving. By combining world-class design, expert operational planning, and a progressive philosophy, the project is positioned as one of the UK’s most forward-thinking hospitality & sporting developments.
Unlike the golf clubs of old, the sporting and eatery spaces at Mad Swans are specifically created to feel open and welcoming. From excellent food to pickleball and darts, Mad Swans makes play new again and you feel the spirit of the place on every course, court and hangout area. Other elements to Mad Swans include:
F&B Outposts: Two restaurants with menus inspired by multi-Michelin starred chef Ollie Dabbous; The Potting Shed (modern countryside dining with produce-led menus) and The Hangout (casual pizzas, desserts, cocktails, and alcohol-free serves), designed to make food and drink central to the Mad Swans experience.
Accommodation: Sixteen eco-cabins (with 32 more planned), offering restorative countryside stays with sustainable touches (Bramley amenities, eco-design, EV charging, rewilding initiatives), positioned as both a leisure and golf staycation product.
Padel & Pickleball: Three high-spec courts for both sports, tapping into two of the fastest-growing participation markets; inclusive, sociable formats supported by coaching for groups or individuals.
Swing Barn & Putt Patch: A covered, all-weather driving range with food and drinks service direct to bays, plus a
vibrant mini-golf zone designed to engage kids, families, and casual players.
Additional Games & Social Sport: AR-enhanced darts and shuffleboard bring pub-style play into the mix, broadening Mad Swans’ appeal beyond traditional golfers.
Gym & Wellness: A Matrix-equipped gym with memberships, drop-ins, and classes, ensuring Mad Swans functions as a local community hub as well as a golf destination.
Community & Sustainability: Commitment to rewilding, tree planting, beehives, solar, equal pay and inclusive hiring, plus partnerships with schools.
Life is full of rules. Mad Swans is a place to set them aside. No dress codes, no memberships, no unnecessary restrictions – just space to connect, play, and be yourself.
For more information about Mad Swans, visit: www.madswans.com
