There are a few Pig Hotels now—ten to be exact—and you’d naturally think that with each litter you’d get a dose of “samey” each time. In the case of their new hog in the wolds, it defies expectation and as a result, is fast becoming the country’s new Miss Piggy, AKA, “It Girl.” While it’s all still very much attracting the “Kensington in a field” glitterati kind of crowd, there’s thankfully enough green around to escape them. A classic English Manor House to a tee, you’re very much out in the sticks at THE PIG-in the Cotswolds, which is perhaps this characterful Cotswolds retreat’ greatest blessing. Aside from all the cute cottages and winding roads that lead up to the hotel, the raw scent of the country hits deep in your lungs—think eau du farm, chicken parfum and the odd sprinkling of manure. Don’t be put off. It’s all part of the charm and what makes any stay at a Pig retreat so delightfully British.
Once the home of English seminal garden designer Rosemary Verey, the estate began life as Barnsley House and until Piggy owners Robin and Judy Hutson took it over, lacked any sploodge of modern design cred. From the outside, the place looks like your classic Cotswolds manor house with all its intricate stonework, masonry and grand mullion windows spying garden views. The inside? Well, very different. Boho chic best sums up the look. Floral wallpapers, period beams running across all sorts of nooks and parlours, shelves piled high with books, vintage furniture (including a ticking Grandfather clock) and in classic Pig style, walls chockers with prints, paintings and vintage watercolours. Rugs run riot in all shapes and shades of the place, alongside kaleidoscopic crystal numbers and loud and doudy lamps. It’s all very homey, charming and a little bit mad, but that’s why we love it so.
Rooms and suites are glossy (and creaky) and are all styled under Mother Nature’s guise: earthy tones and English garden fleurs, with roomy tubs that spy views of pastures beyond. The Secret Garden suite (my room) is the knockout. Hidden behind a creaky door it’s more LA pad than it is cosseting country cocoon. The square footage is vast with a four-poster bed, emerald green couch, grand bath (stocked with Bramley bath products made especially for The Pig Group) and double shower room taking up much of the space. There’s a touch of the celestial too. Heavy curtains draped in moons and stars quip the imagination, as do the velvety pillows decorated in all shades of the cosmos. Outside, a big old hot tub overlooks a wicker four-seater which come sunset is the textbook spot to watch the sky go crimson.
All the food here is naturally hearty and refreshingly simple, but tasty. As part of the group’s B-corp certification, all of the grub is sourced within a 30 mile radius of the hotel, and with a mammoth kitchen garden out back, much of the greens and herbs served on your plate are as fresh as you can get. Seasonally minded, the menu rotates as to whatever the chefs can get their hands on. For dinner we gorged on a mozzarella starter infused with clementines; a pot chicken number with a red wine jus and triple cooked fries came for the main, and for desert…nothing because I felt six months pregnant thanks to the latter so I opted for a crisp glass of Chablis instead. Brekkie is a wild affair. Hot breakfasts—ye olde English fry up and eggs served any style are part of the deal—and the mammoth buffet featuring healthy granolas, fresh fruits, croissants, continental and British cheeses, yoghurts, cereals and a rather lovely assortment of cold cuts and jams will keep bellies full until lunch.
Walk it all off in the ornamental garden, the herb patch or wait for it all to digest pre a treatment in “The Fieldhouse,” the Pig’s swanky spa. Even if you don’t go full on pamper a dip in the hydrotherapy pool is worth packing your trunks for, or just chillax in the relaxation room at gawp at easels painted by long time collaborator Natasha Klutterbuck. Whatever you are into, be it a wellness break, sexy couples weekend, or simply just need a spot to save your dead marriage, it’s all bloody lovely jubbly at The Pig, day and night.
Top Takeaways
Location: Barnsley, Cotswolds
Rating: Five-star
The vibe: Country chic meets designer Cotswolds spunk. Despite the crowd, there’s a lot of soul here and the nick nacks, design details and quite literally every artwork show it.
Amenities: Restaurant; Bar; Spa
Our favourite thing about the hotel: The people. Top notch service is what really makes this place special. In this day and age, it’s rare, and everyone I met was warm, friendly and showed genuine affection.
What’s nearby? The cute little town of Barnsley. It’s worth a ponder through to look at all the cute stone houses (peak Cotswolds) and the River Thames starts here— yeah that big old stretch of water you only thought existed in London.
Any personal neighbourhood reccs? Just walk. The Pig is very much the beating heart of the place. Stroll through the place and just say “good morning”…it will get you far in these parts, and who knows, a local yokel might even give you some insider tips.
Rooms: 24
Pricing: From about 438 USD per night. Dependent on season.
Closest international airport: London Heathrow. Direct train services run from Paddington to Kemble station. Pickups in the Pig Landover can be arranged on request or a cab. Whatever tickles your pork scratchings.
