A PERFECT COUNTRY ESCAPE: THE PIG NEW FOREST

THE PIG IN BROCKENHURST

One of the best things about growing up in Winchester is that the Seaside and the New Forest are right on my door step. Whilst I now spend most my time in London, I’m always escaping the city for weekends back home with my family and a little fresh country and sea air. We have our favourite spots we tend to visit time and time again when we head back home, and we’re fortunate enough to have some the countries finest manor houses on our door step (Lainston, Chewton Glen & Limewood i’m talking to you), but perhaps one of the most infamous has to be The Pig.

There’s a fair few Pigs these days, whether it’s the Pig in bath or the Pig on the beach, but only a couple of miles down the road The Pig in Brockenhurst is the perfect spot for a slow and lazy day out, some delicious food and a proper escape from the city life.

Jase and I decided to start our bank holiday off properly with a trip to the New Forest hideaway for a spot of lunch and a walk in the countryside. Whilst the waiting list for the more formal dining options is a fair few weeks, if not months (we’re going to the Pig in bath for my birthday soon so I’m looking forward to that), there are plenty of cosy corners in the house where you can while away a few hours in front of an open fire with a good book and a serious slice of carrot cake without booking, or if the sun is shining bright like it was for us, then the outside court yard and outside bread oven is the ultimate spontaneous lunch spot. No reservations required, freshly baked flatbreads packed with local ingredients, and a beautiful little courtyard with its own open fire and perfectly placed sun trap.

We arrived midday and tucked straight into freshly dressed crab, ham hock flat bread and a special Isle of Wight tomato salad, with two glasses of the finest and local sparkling wine, produced just down the road in Hambledon.

After a very leisurely lunch we strolled around the grounds, made friends with the local residents (one of the best things about being in the New Forest is the local shetland ponies, farm animals and wildlife just roaming around freely) before residing in the house for a little chill time. We made ourselves at home in front of an open log fire, and indulged in coffee and afternoon cake, I was just missing a good book to get lost in and a good bottle of red. Sadly this visit was just a little day trip (and one of many), but given our love for country manor houses and boutique escapes (Soho Farmhouse, Babington & Cowley Manor are always firm favourites) we’ll be sure to return soon for a full weekend.

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Have you visited any of the Pig houses or the wonderful New Forest? I’d highly recommend it for a little weekend escape or simply a relaxing day out.