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 stoves
- Fresh 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 sorbet
- Very tranquil, with lovely walks in the deer park and Mendips, yet you can easily zip into Bath or Bristol
- Attentive, friendly and extremely knowledgeable staff
- We 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 Sat
- The 2 Snug Rooms are exactly that, but they’re fine for a night or two
- Breakfast isn’t included in the rates, but it’s well worth the money
- Rooms 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
Best time to go
This is a year-round destination. We visited in May, when the gardens were bursting with greenery. Summer is also idyllic. During the colder months there are plenty of log-burning fires to keep you warm and cosy, and Bath hosts plenty of festivities in the run-up to Christmas (including a fantastic market). Nearby Bristol also has a calendar of interesting events - the Harbour Festival in late July, the world-famous International Balloon Fiesta in August, and food festivals on the waterfront throughout the year.
Our top tips
Make sure you sample the cocktails in the bar. They're concocted using the same local-sourcing policy as the food, so expect treats like the Pig's Tail (Chase Vodka, ginger syrup and cloudy apple juice) and the fruit-filled Lady Marmalade.
Location
The Pig near Bath is set just outside the Somerset village of Pensford, a 20-minute drive from Bath and a 25-minute drive from Bristol.
By Air:
Bristol Airport (18km away) is less than half an hour’s drive and is served by plenty of flights from elsewhere in the UK and Europe. If you’re coming from further afield you’ll probably arrive via London Heathrow (170km away), which is 2 hours’ drive. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
You could easily get a taxi from Bristol Airport, but you’ll probably want to hire a car for exploring (see below).
By Train:
Bath Spa station is a 20-minute taxi ride from the hotel and is served by regular intercity services from London Paddington and elsewhere in the UK. If you’re landing at London Heathrow, you could take the Heathrow Express to London Paddington and catch a train from there.
By Car:
It’s best to have a car here (you’ll be relying on taxis otherwise) - see our car rental recommendations. The hotel is easily accessible from the M4 and M5 motorways and there is plenty of parking on site.
Detailed directions will be provided automatically once you confirm a booking through i-escape.com. 
More on getting to the UK and getting around
Airports:
- Bristol 18.0 km BRS
- London Heathrow 170.0 km LHR
Other:
- Beach 35.0 km
- Shops 7.0 km
- Restaurant 7.0 km