Hotel Snapshot
Set against the backdrop of a sprawling deer field and gardens bursting with leafy vegetables, the quirky PIG-Near Bath Hotel is a bucolic retreat in the English countryside county of Somerset. It’s where vegetables are picked from the property’s gardens in the morning and appear on your plate just hours later; where A-listers head after Glastonbury festival; and where any traveler can experience a bit of respite and farm-to-table bounty just outside of London. Full of character and welcoming corners to retreat to, this rustic getaway is rooted in nature, from the plates of fresh produce served up each night, to the garden cottage rooms that evoke all the character of your favorite fairytale.
Design & Character
Tucked inside a honey-colored Georgian mansion with two cast-iron pigs at the entrance, a central lobby and drawing rooms are adorned in mismatched furniture, papier-mâché antlers, a cozy library with classic literature, and an intimate bar illuminated by a collection of pastel colored glasses. The hotel welcomes lounging in its quiet corners with kitschy Victorian decor and a roaring fire that crackles near sunken leather couches. Hunter wellington boots line the entrance and can be used to roam the walled kitchen garden where tours are available for guests.
The Rooms
Its 31 rooms are spread about the main house, coach house, and garden. Muted tones of green and cream compliment botanical-themed wallpaper and furnishings made from reclaimed wood. Bathrooms house the sustainably-minded Bramley brand’s clary sage and lemon tinged handwash, freestanding bathtubs, and monsoon showers. Split-level cabins around the garden grounds feature wood-burning stoves and patio areas nestled near a peach orchard. Rooms in the garden also come with their own entryway with a path blanketed in foliage. Perhaps one of the most interesting boudoirs on property is the Apple Store, a provincial shed spread across two floors with a four-poster bed and log burner.
Food & Drink
At every PIG hotel, over 80% of the food is sourced from within 25-miles of the property. Menus at the Bath hotel are guided by the daily harvest of the gardens just outside. “Piggy bits” and other starters kick off the plot-to-plate experience; you can expect savory and herbaceous bites like honey and chili pork belly, winter squash hummus, and a venison carpaccio speckled with berries and Japanese mustard greens. Larger plates include a slow-cooked lamb shoulder for two, artichoke risotto, and a type of English flounder fish called plaice that comes shellacked in capers and butter. The dessert menu leans into the fruit plucked nearby, including bites of almond and gooseberry flan or a preserved blackberry cream topped with bits of hazelnut brittle. Oeniphiles should not miss the Pig’s very own wines, made from their vineyards in both West Sussex and the Kent/East Sussex border. These include the Alpaca Block Chardonnay, Alpaca Block Field Blend Rosé, and Where Eagles Fly, made from Seyval blanc vines.
Amenities
Slow and easy is the pace of The Pig-Near Bath, and that ethos is supported by a number of comforts, including a large field with intentionally placed wooden lounge chairs to enjoy a glass of wine or peer into a chicken coup. Hunter Wellies line the entrance and can be used to roam the walled kitchen garden on a tour as you nosh on Japanese wineberries straight from the shrub or learn the difference between lime and lemon basil.
Spa & Wellness Scoop
Housed in a dimly lit wooden potting shed just past an apple orchard, the spa offers treatments using products from the family-run, ethically sourced skincare brand Tribe 517. Treatments include a hot-and-cold-stone massage, brightening facial accompanied by the relaxing scent of orange blossom, and a body treatment catered for moms-to-be.
Location and Neighborhood Recs
Being in a remote location is part of the hotel’s charm. Grab a pair of boots and take a stroll around the border of the property’s 30-acre deer park, or just enjoy a lunch near the gardens. The property also offers a number of themed walks for guests, including the 4.6 mile to-the-pub-and back walk, which include sundrenched farmland views and rows of barns and country homes. When you’re ready to venture off property, head just 9 miles to the historic city of Bath, where ancient 2,000-year-old Roman baths and afternoon tea set to live music at the two-century-old Pump Room Restaurant make for a memorable day out. Once home to literary great Jane Austen, the city of Bath pays homage to the author in a number of visit-worthy places, including a Centre that offers a playful glimpse into her life and immersive and tailor-made guided city tours. If you’re feeling peckish, head to the sea-to-table Scallop Shell for a classic fish and chips.
Fast Facts
Location: Somerset, England
The Vibe: Eclectic countryside digs with quiet corners to nuzzle with a book and glass of wine.
Rating: 3 stars
Starting Nightly Rate: Approximately $165 a night
Room Count: 31 Rooms
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The leather couch in the bar area, situated near a log-fueled fire and best enjoyed with a negroni in hand.
Amenities: Daily kitchen garden tours, complimentary glass of wine during check-in, extensive walking trails around the property, in-room Nespresso machines, larder stocked with snacks and wine, live music in the lounge during the holidays.
Closest Airport: 12 miles from Bristol Airport; 130 miles from London Heathrow Airport.
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