Escape to... THE PIG

We're thrilled to introduce a new series to our journal, where we'll explore some of the wonderful switch-off locations you can discover our products.

We're beginning with the incredible THE PIG, known for their beautiful locations, farm-to-table ethos, and a love for all things natural – just like Bramley. We caught up with their CEO, Tom Ross...

Tell us a little more about THE PIG

At their heart, THE PIGs are really restaurants with rooms in some of the most stunning parts of the English countryside. They are homey, informal and comfortable – someone once described us as “unstuffy and unshiny” and we took that as a compliment.

Everything we do is centred around the Kitchen Garden, where we serve simple and delicious food (anything we can’t grow ourselves, we source from our local supplier friends, which make up our 25 mile menu). Our aim is to look after the land and support the community as best we can to leave it in as good, if not better, shape than we found it.

I don’t think we are unique at THE PIG, but we try to create a guest experience that is genuine and thoughtful in a relaxed, informal and friendly space that feels more like a home than a hotel – somewhere that’s lived-in and well loved.

Where are the hotels located & what are some of the area highlights for guests?

We have nine PIGs (plus our first PIG pub) in the fold, from Cornwall to Kent, and each one is totally unique. They are all carefully chosen historic buildings that have required patience, attention to detail and a whole lot of love to breathe new life back into them. There is so much on the doorstep of each one, so always ask our reception teams for local recommendations – they have plenty!

What's your favourite thing on the menu at the moment?

BBQ Monkfish Tail – it’s served in a romesco sauce with charred entita onions from the Kitchen Garden. I had it last week at THE PIG in the New Forest and it was great!

What's your favourite Bramley product at THE PIG?

We’ve created a unique Bramley x PIG bath and body range together inspired by PIG Kitchen Garden ingredients, like chamomile, sage and rosemary. My favourite is our candle, which is filled with Kitchen Garden goodies like coriander seed and geranium. You’ll see plenty of them burning across THE PIGs – they help create that atmosphere of being in serious switch-off territory.

Why has THE PIG chosen to work with Bramley? 

Bramley are part of the furniture at our house. We’ve had their products across our bathrooms and bedrooms ever since our first PIG opened in the New Forest in 2011. Our friendship makes sense because we both share a huge passion for the British countryside and using botanical ingredients that are homegrown or sourced locally. Plus, we’re both really committed to leave our patch in better shape than we found it, using up everything we can with as little waste as possible.

Are there any exciting plans in the pipeline for THE PIG in the coming months?

As our first pub, The Village Pub, and its big sister property THE PIG-in the Cotswolds (just across the road) opened this summer, we’re really focused on settling into our newest home. We have two new PIGs to open over the next few years (THE PIG-on the farm, just south of Stratford-upon-Avon and THE PIG-at Groombridge, southwest of Tunbridge Wells) and that should definitely keep us busy.

Explore THE PIGs: thepighotel.com