The Place
This period country house stands in the Chew valley a handful of miles from Bath, imposing and dignified, surrounded by its own deer park. The Grade II-listed building, dating from 1820, has become the third of the PIG hotels, a successful project conceived by Robin Hutson and David Elton that has now grown into a fully formed family of five hotels.
The style is rural shabby-chic and it works beautifully: stripped wooden floors, painted timber-panelled walls and velvet curtains create a grand but informal atmosphere. Mismatched rugs and fabrics contribute to the feeling of relaxed glamour. Robin’s wife Judy is responsible for the delicate and effective balance in the interior design, and every object has been chosen with taste and panache.
The bedrooms are consistent with the style: comfortable and laid back. There are assorted furnishings, ‘larders’ stocked with snacks, Nespresso machines and large bathrooms. As well as the rooms in the country house, there are four delightful garden rooms and two ‘hideaway rooms’ in the kitchen garden, with wood-burning stoves and freestanding baths.
The large kitchen garden, restored by the owner’s son Ollie Hutson, provides much of the produce used in the kitchen, freshly picked on the day. The flavoursome dishes, with local game such as wild rabbit and duck, are uncomplicated and satisfying.
The team mixes local and existing PIG employees, all enthusiastic and helpful. It’s hard to find fault here: an all-round good address, where you will feel relaxed and spoiled.
See all the other PIG hotels: the original PIG at Brokenhurst (Hampshire), THE PIG in the wall (Southampton), THE PIG on the beach (Dorset), THE PIG at Combe (Devon), THE PIG at Bridge Place (Kent), THE PIG on the Downs (South Downs), and THE PIG at Harlyn Bay (Cornwall).