Hammocks introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus

Hammocks are thought to have been introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus, who mentions hammocks in the logbook of his 1492 expedition.

It is claimed that Christopher Columbus discovered Caribbean Indians sleeping in cotton nets slung between trees and he adopted the idea for his crew.

The earliest hammocks were woven out of bark from a Hamack tree. Hamack bark was soon replaced as the main material for making hammocks by the Sisal plant because of its softer texture, and abundant availability.

As the popularity of hammocks spread, there was a great deal of experimentation with new materials. Brazil is famous for popularizing the fabric hammock which consists of a large piece of cloth with cords at the ends to attach the hammock to two anchor objects such as trees.

Some of the best Brazillian hammocks available in the UK today can be found at Garden Boutique.

elegant neutral striped barbados hammocks

Mocha hammock
£39.95 with FREE delivery from Stop: It's Hammock Time

The Barbados hammock comes in lots of bright colours but our favourite Barbados hammock style is the Mocca and the Cappucino hammocks. These elegant new Barbados hammocks follow a coffee coloured theme, with simple neutral stripes. They are the perfect compliment for the clean lines of a modern garden,

Cappucino hammock
£39.95 with FREE delivery from Stop: It's Hammock Time

The Mocha hammock and Cappucino hammock are just £39.95 each from Stop: It's Hammock Time - and with free next working day delivery as standard, if you order today they can be with you tomorrow.

How to hang a hammock

Suspending your garden hammock:

Hammocks without spreader bars are hung so that they sag way down. The hanging loops of the hammocks are fastened at approx. head height and about 3 m apart.


Fastening your hammock:

Hammocks are fastened using ropes to a tree or beam. Microropes are particularly popular for hammocks, or you can use Hammock Smartropes. Alternatively you can use hammock hooks to attach your hammock to a wall.

If the trees or walls are further apart than 3m, the hammocks can be extended by using hammock ropes or chains. The suspension point for your hammock will need to be hung using a higher point.

Hammocks help to develop sense of balance in children

The Chico Kids Hammock from Amazonas is suitable for children up to the age of 6

Whether in the nursery, in the garden or on holiday, a kids hammock is the ideal refuge for young children and tired warriors.

We all know that gentle rocking has a calming and soothing effect, but did you know that swaying also promotes the sense of balance?

Elltex - Revolutionary new weatherproof hammock material launched by Amazonas

The single 'Banana' hammock is the smallest in the new range of weatherproof hammocks

EllTex® is a new hammock material to have been launched by Brazillian hammock makers Amazonas.

It is a special mix of polyester and cotton that is apparently very weatherproof, hardly fades and stays extremely tearproof, even after repeatedly getting wet. But the best claim is that EllTex® manages to do all this whilst remaining snug and soft like pure cotton!

Three hammocks have been launched in this new material:

Banana
A single rainbow striped hammock with banana shaped bag

Aruba
A large hammock with stretcher bars, that is available in three colours:
Aruba Juniper, Aruba Cayenne and Aruba Vanilla

Mauritius
A family sized XXL hammock with stretcher bars that fits the Arcus and Olymp wooden arc stands

EllTex® can be hung outside even when it is raining or when the sun is burning hot - it sounds fantastic.


Mauritius is the largest in this new weatherproof hammock range. It is a XXL hammock with spreader bars...