THE PIG-near Bath

The Pig near Bath, Pensford, near Bath, Somerset - Explore & Book

"Entering the grounds of this Georgian mansion, it’s easy to forget you’re only a 20-minute drive from Bath. Surrounded by hills, pretty little villages and a 30-acre deer park, the younger sibling to The Pig in the New Forest is a true rural escape. First to greet you are 2 fierce-looking pigs (of the sculpture variety), and these chaps are your introduction to the quirky yet stylish concept of the hotel. Mismatched furniture, carved animal heads and botanical prints decorate the 29 rooms, which are spread across the main building, adjacent Coach House and a couple of renovated stone sheds. Wellies wait by the door and, on chilly days, fires crackle in the lounges.It’s very hard to find fault: the interiors are simple yet attractive, the grounds are perfectly kept, and the old potting sheds have been converted into treatment rooms to help you relax. But best of all is the food. Located in a stunning Victorian greenhouse, the restaurant offers a tantalising array of daily changing dishes concocted by head chef Kamil Oseka, along with his forager and kitchen gardener. There’s a real emphasis on locally produced organic food: most of the greens are grown on site, a chicken and quail coop provides the eggs and there are (of course) a couple of real-life resident piggies in the grounds. Highs Spacious rooms, some with roll-top tubs and all with drenching monsoon showers; we particularly liked the 2 romantic min-cottages, with their wood-burning stovesFresh and flavoursome food, all grown on site, foraged nearby or sourced within a 25-mile radius - expect the likes of home-smoked salmon with Somerset cider, or home-grown rhubarb with vanilla sorbetVery tranquil, with lovely walks in the deer park and Mendips, yet you can easily zip into Bath or BristolAttentive, friendly and extremely knowledgeable staffWe loved the chunky solid-wood floors throughout, and the eclectic mix of gardening tools, antiques and reclaimed items furnishing the interiors Lows Super popular so you'll need to book well in advance (2-3 months for weekends) and there's a 2-night min stay over a Fri and SatThe 2 Snug Rooms are exactly that, but they’re fine for a night or twoBreakfast isn’t included in the rates, but it’s well worth the moneyRooms can get a little hot in summer, but fans are available on request Mobile-phone reception is ropey and the WiFi doesn’t yet reach all the rooms, but that’s a blessing in disguise if you want to unwind" - Ben Feetham