{"id":20695,"date":"2020-01-15T09:38:46","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T09:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=20695"},"modified":"2020-10-07T21:03:14","modified_gmt":"2020-10-07T21:03:14","slug":"a-winter-weekend-at-the-pig-coombe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/a-winter-weekend-at-the-pig-coombe\/","title":{"rendered":"A Winter Weekend – The Pig"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Whilst I am sure there must be some kind of Internet law against posts containing any kind of Christmas stuff, I had to give you a little guided tour of the hotel we stayed at for a winter weekend of peace a few weeks ago.<\/p>\n

There are several Pigs dotted about the south of England marketing themselves primarily as restaurants with rooms, and our Pig – The Pig at Combe<\/a>, an old Elizabethan manor just happens to excel at being incredibly festive, but would make a wonderful place to stay (and\/or eat) whatever the time of year.<\/p>\n

As a group, they have a reputation for excellent accommodation, wonderful service and some of the best food.\u00a0 \u00a0I had wondered whether with such a reputation our Pig could live up to the kind of high standards that everyone who visits tells you about, whilst managing to steer clear of any and all stuffiness and pretentiousness.\u00a0 \u00a0I am happy to report that this particular Pig can happily wallow in the glory of being one of the nicest hotels I have stayed in (so far!) in the UK.<\/p>\n

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Having booked on a whim with the objective of staying in a “good room” as we were away for my usual Birthday weekend away a deux last year, we somehow managed to end up with one of the nicest rooms in the entire place (there aren’t that many rooms mind you so make sure you book in advance if you do want to secure a particular room) – what used to be the old Laundry room…\u00a0 The lounge area still features the enormous drying rack (secured to the wall) on the ceiling, and a stove covered in the irons for the house.\u00a0 The bathroom contains what can only be described (although I am sure this wasn’t an original feature), the largest copper bath I have ever seen.\u00a0 It could easily have dealt with an entire week’s worth of washing for a house of this size, or maybe even a rugby team…\u00a0 \u00a0The bedroom was home to the most sumptuous bed, and little touches such as classical music already playing on the radio on arrival set the tone for a really relaxing weekend.\u00a0 It’s the kind of place where they really have thought of everything.\u00a0 \u00a0The Laundry room is also set away from the main house so if it’s peace and quiet you are after…<\/p>\n

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As for the food…\u00a0 \u00a0Much of it comes from the walled kitchen gardens that you are free to explore (you should, you might even find a few very useful recipes!).\u00a0 Across the six different Pigs, they actually produce over 17 tons of their own fruit and veg each year – not an ounce of packaging or a single food mile in sight!\u00a0 They also strive to only select produce from within a 25 mile radius of each location, meaning that everything on the menu is not only seasonal, it just tastes that much better as it’s so fresh.\u00a0 \u00a0We had dinner though on both evenings, and couldn’t fault a thing.\u00a0 \u00a0As for its recycling and sustainability ethos, I think a few of us could take a leaf out of the Pig’s book…<\/p>\n

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A few points to remember, book all meals well in advance of your stay.\u00a0 This Pig is hugely popular with non-residents, and it’s not uncommon for the whole restaurant to be fully booked out (although I am sure you could order meals to your room, they aren’t going to let you starve!).\u00a0 \u00a0 I loved the slight smugness of enjoying a meal in the candlelit restaurant and knowing that we were staying the night whilst everyone else trudged out to waiting cars in the cold!…<\/p>\n

Do make sure you explore the grounds if you can tear yourself away from your room, they are gorgeous, and that way not only can you investigate what’s growing for tea, you can stop off at The Folly for a cup of tea, or something slightly stronger (the cocktails are particularly good at The Pig!)…<\/p>\n

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Although it might seem like a ridiculous idea, get up early for breakfast one morning, enjoy the peace of an empty dining room over a leisurely (amazing) breakfast, before luxuriating in the fact that you can go back to sleep for a while afterwards.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Possibly the most relaxing stay I have had ever, anywhere…<\/p>\n

It wasn’t exactly a cheap weekend, but for the level of peace, the attention to detail, the excellent food and the wonderful service The Pig was worth every single penny…<\/p>\n

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