Hotel Focus - The Pig in the South Downs

Back at the very end of August, my husband Charlie and I had our first night away since our little boy arrived in February 2020. We managed to get a babymoon in at The Pig in the New Forest before M surprised us six weeks early, so I had my heart set on another night at one of their very handsome hotels (not gifted, but what would be better than that). 

We went a bit closer to home, to The Pig in the South Downs, and took advantage of their late summer dinner, bed and breakfast package. It does cost a few pennies, but my god is it worth it. 

If you love classic English Interiors, seasonal food, and really friendly helpful staff, you can do no better. We arrived and were told we'd been upgraded, I tried to act cool, and were told to come down for complimentary tea and cake in the bar. Yes please and thank you. We then went for a wander around their two-acre walled kitchen garden, and ate very well from it later that night. After sleeping like we were dead (parents of the under-5's will understand) we had a leisurely breakfast in their greenhouse restaurant, and then a last tour of the gardens before reluctantly leaving. 

The Pig in the South Downs is set in a beautiful Georgian house in the national park, with rooms in the main house and the stable yard buildings. There are also a handful of their signature garden wagons within the walled gardens alongside their spa rooms. We stayed in one of the stable yard rooms, overlooking a quiet courtyard. The bedroom was a perfect dusty pink, with a very comfy bed and a luxurious footed bath en-suite. I think I managed to fit three baths in, which within a period of about 18hrs is probably a PB. 

The attention to detail was evident in every inch of both Pigs that I've been lucky enough to stay at, and the proof of their commitment to local produce and supporting their communities is in the eating of their very delicious puddings (and starters and mains and sides). 

I fear I'm spoiled for anywhere else now.