In our Suite Staycation column, Gina Jackson – hotel expert and author of British Boutique Hotels – tours some of the best hotel suites in the UK. Next up, The Pig, Cotswolds.
Best for: Hunkering Down
The latest in The Pig Hotels’ ever-expanding litter is a standout stay nestled deep in Cotswold countryside.
Give us the lowdown
Image credit: Jake Eastham
Presiding over the quaint village of Barnsley, The Pig in the Cotswolds is cocooned by tranquil gardens, hogging the 17th century honey-hued manor that was formerly Barnsley House. But its transformation is certifiably ‘Pig’ and very much in line with the hotel micro-chain’s signature style: think vintage furnishings, floral fabrics, and plenty of country charm. The addition of a full-blown spa and separate village pub just a stone’s throw from the main hotel (both firsts for the hotel group) take things up a notch: this might just be the fanciest Pig yet, and it’s no wonder that it’s attracted a steady stream of guests since flinging open its doors in September.
What’s in the suite?
Image credit: Helen Cathcart
I checked into room one, a spacious suite on the first floor of the manor house, categorised as an ‘Even Bigger Comfy Luxe’ room. Period features have been lovingly retained but boujified with the Pig’s usual hallmarks: think plush fabrics, antique rugs, and freestanding tubs. My room was an elegant blend of forest-green swatches, complete with a marshmallow-soft four-poster, a velvety sofa plonked in front of the flat-screen TV, and snug window seats overlooking the grounds.
Image credit: Helen Cathcart
The bathroom was even roomier, and kitted out with luxe Bamford body lotions. Most impressive of all was the centrepiece bath: large enough to swim laps in, and awash in a pale shade of aubergine. Similarly show-stopping suites are tucked away in the gardens, some of which come with outdoor hot tubs, and are perfect for secluded sleepovers.
How’s the crowd?
This is a relaxed, welcoming hotel that’s quickly become a local favourite: thanks to The Pig’s far-reaching fame, the hotel also draws a crowd from further afar on weekends. Expect guests of all ages: you’ll find everyone from multi-generational families to groups of friends and couples hunkering down in the drawing rooms and restaurant.
Where can we eat and drink?
Image credit: Jake Eastham
The hotel’s restaurant is the beating heart of the hotel. Clad in pistachio-coloured panelling, you’ll find tables decked out with The Pig’s signature mishmash of jewel-toned glassware and floral crockery. As with all of The Pig’s properties, the hotel prides itself on its 25-mile menu, with ingredients grown directly in the kitchen gardens or sourced locally. English produce takes centre stage and changes with the seasons: think Cotswold chicken and Tamworth chop, alongside triple cooked chips and fresh veggies to chomp on – but be sure to save some room for the indulgent puds too, and end your evening with herb-infused cocktails in the adjoining bar.
Image credit: Jake Eastham
Come breakfast the next morning, graze from a buffet table groaning with fresh cheeses, fruit, charcuterie, and homemade pastries; if you can stomach more, smashed peas on toast and warming porridge can also be made to order. It’s worth noting that this is also the first Pig property with a separate village pub just a short stroll from the manor house. After long hikes across the hills, it’s worth heading here for slap-up Sunday roasts around the log fire.
What’s on the to-do list?
Image credit: Jake Eastham
The Fieldhouse, the hotel’s boutique spa, is the first of its kind for The Pig Hotels. Tucked away in the gardens, this sleek hideaway has a clutch of hushed treatment rooms, where you can be pampered with deep tissue massages and brightening facials: after days spent roaming the Gloucestershire countryside, allow your hike-weary limbs to be pummelled anew. There’s an outdoor hydrotherapy pool for soaking, along with a steam room and sauna worth making a circuit of before kicking back in the light-filled relaxation room. Further afield, the picture-postcard Cotswold towns of Bibury, Burford, and Bourton-on-the-Water are worth exploring if you have a car with you.
Are there any stand-out touches worth mentioning?
Image credit: Jake Eastham
The impressive grounds were created by renowned garden designer Rosemary Verey: there’s a daily Garden Walk at 11am each morning, where you can pootle around the sprawling potager gardens, spy colourful flora, and say hello to the resident chickens. You’ll also stumble across Simon Verity sculptures hidden among the foliage, along with a listed Gothic summerhouse. In the summer months, chic parasols frame the terrace, where you can kick back in deck chairs and sip cocktails at golden hour.
What should we know before we go?
Images credit: Jake Eastham
If you’re staying for a few nights, it’s worth booking a meal at the Village Pub so you can sample the hearty fare and pale ales on tap. Bedrooms are also available here at a more accessible rate, and although on the more compact size, feature interiors that are just as luxe as the main house.
What should we pack?
The atmosphere here is laidback and unfussy: cosy knitwear and Barbour jackets won’t go amiss. No need to bring wellies (you can borrow these from the hotel), but remember swimwear so you can make use of the spa pool.
Lead image credit: Jake Eastham
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Any Questions or Tips to add?