The Pig Near Bath

The Pig near Bath is one of a litter of eight ‘piglets’ providing exceptional dining, accommodation and wellness experiences across the South of England. Set in a magnificent Grade II listed Georgian house built in 1820 out of local honey toned Bath stone, the Pig near Bath is a wonderful weekend retreat or mid-week getaway. Beautifully situated within a deer park in the folds of the Mendip Hills, what’s outside is as picturesque as what’s inside. Deer roam around the estate and depending on your room position, you can sit and watch them go about their business.

If you’ve been to a Pig, you’ll know it’s about the food, in fact the whole ethos of this establishment is that first and foremost it’s all about the dining experience which we’ll get to, but the interior design is carefully curated to feel welcoming and relaxed. The luxurious surroundings and rooms all have their own individual personalities but nothing feels stuffy or shiny; it’s a very relaxed vibe.

Interior designer Judy Hutson has seen to it that no guest will be disappointed with the decor and soft furnishings throughout this delightful hotel. The restaurant itself is in the style of a Victorian glasshouse with an eclectic collection of relaxed and worn furniture where diners are seated amongst propagated plants. The horticultural theme also continues outside to the spa which is tucked away in a series of potting sheds.

The spectacular kitchen garden is the biggest of all the Pigs and is at the very heart of the establishment. It enables the chefs to select only the very finest ingredients of the season for their daily changing menus. Delivering outstanding food from what some might describe as a simple British garden menu, however, when you see the way in which it’s presented, simple is not the word that springs to mind. In addition to the expected vegetable beds, the garden hosts a wildflower orchard, fruit cages, bee hives and even a smokehouse. Their own smoked salmon is highly recommended.

When you sit down to lunch or dinner, one side of the A3 size menu is devoted to the ‘twenty five mile menu rule’. This refers to the goal of working hard to source as many ingredients as possible for their dishes from within that radius. By doing so, they are helping the local community by supporting their businesses, and in addition, keeping the carbon footprint low.

It also means that the chefs can work very closely with artisan suppliers to share ideas, and with everyone on the same page in terms of ambition, it means the diner experience is so authentic. There is much to choose from, and the plant based options are plentiful and compelling and really celebrate the amazing seasonal produce at their fingertips.

The whole vibe with the Pig is very laid back, very comfortable and very welcoming. The staff are super well mannered and polite, helpful and friendly without being OTT. It’s a lovely mix of imperfectly perfect surroundings, with lovely food and wine to boot. A great retreat for a few days away to explore a different part of the country but also a fabulous place for a family celebration.

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Images kindly supplied by The Pig