Manor estate turned relaxed, cozy countryside escape just outside Bath in southwestern UK

The Pig near Bath / Pensford / Somerset / UK

To create a hotel that feels luxurious is one thing. To create one that is laid-back and relaxed is something completely different. And to combine both these elements in one hotel, is a true challenge. But British chain the Pig has managed to crack this code. And this outpost, the Pig near Bath is a great example of this unique combination.

The hotel is located deep in the Mendip Hills in rural Somerset, a short drive from Bath. The first thing you see when you drive up the gravel road is the honey-hued stone that this grade II listed building from 1820 is made of. There is a kind of grandeur to the hotel that makes you feel like you are in some kind of English period movie.

This 31-key hotel opened back in 2014 and is still looking really great. It is a good lesson, when you invest in good design it usually stands the test of time.

In the main building you’ll find the reception as well as the restaurant, bar and several drawing rooms. I loved walking around, finding cozy corners and curious items every where I looked.

I stayed here with three friends so we opted for the Orchard Stable, which is located at the far end of the kitchen garden, and is a two double room cottage with an adjoining lounge between. The style of the rooms was really fitting for a country retreat, where you’ll find wooden panelling, soft pastel color scheme, a four poster bed and vintage furniture. One of my favorite features was the beautiful, vintage looking bathroom (the tiles!) and another was the wood-burning stove in the lounge. That is where we both started and ended our days, sitting in front of the fire with either a coffee or a glass of wine in hand, with an hypnotic gaze locked at the slow burning logs.

The surroundings are beautiful, quintessential British with rolling hills and cute towns. When staying here it is almost mandatory to go into Bath. And although the restaurant at the Pig is great, I would recommend going off-site for dinner, at least one of your evenings. There are some great gastro pubs in the vicinity. We went to Carpenter’s Arms which did not disappoint. I never say no to some hearty pub food.

Welcome to the Pig near Bath! The gravel road leading up to the main entrance.

Instead of lions or dogs guarding the entrance, here there are pigs.

Checked in and ready to move on over to our “room”.

To get to our room, we had to walk through the beautiful kitchen garden.

The stable has two bedrooms (which was perfect since we were 4 friends traveling together). This is the main one…

I love the color of the tiles of the bathroom.

This is the second, cozier second bedroom.

How does a perfect day look when staying at the Pig? Start the day with lighting a fire, make a cup of coffee and curl up in the sofa…

…followed by a short morning walk on the hotel grounds.

After breakfast, head into nearby Bath to stroll around, doing some shopping…

…and stopping for coffee in one of the many great coffee bars. This is Society Café.

A must when in this part of the country, to have a pasty. This is from the Cornish Bakehouse.

After spending all morning in Bath, drive to nearby Corsham. A cozy little market town.

We had late lunch at Mother & Wild, where they serve amazing artisanal pizzas.

Back at the hotel, late afternoon for a walk in the surroundings to walk some of that rich food off.

My travel companions: Malin, Fanny and Susanne.

After a walk and some R&R in the cabin, head up to the main building…

…and find a cozy spot in one of the drawing rooms…

Take a taxi to nearby gastro pub, the Carptenter’s Arms.

A classic fish and chips with mushy peas.

Back to the cabin after e looong day with a lot of food. Time to turn off the light and call it a day.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…have a dream of living like a lord in the British countryside, where you stay in a stately manor surrounded by parkland and you eat and drink like royals (not posh royals, but relaxed royals). If this sounds like your thing, you should book at stay at Pig near Bath.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the concept. I think the Pig chain has really tapped into something, a perfect mix of high-end and laid back, where the surroundings and the exterior is fancy but the interior is relaxed. It is two worlds colliding but not resulting in a crash but in something that is rather whimsical, tasteful and, well…magical.

What not to miss when staying here…

…is to go into nearby Bath. A cute English town with characteristic sand stone buildings and plenty of small shops. And if you want to eat at a great gastro pub, there is one down the road from the hotel called the Carpenter’s Arms where we had an excellent pub dinner in company of locals.

If you like this hotel you might also like:

Pig at Combe / Honiton, UK

Birch Community / Cheshunt, UK

Artist Residence / South Leigh, UK