You would be forgiven for assuming that a pair of hoteliers on their tenth hotel opening might have become a little formulaic in their approach. Well, that is certainly not the case for Robin and Judy Hutson, whose latest pig in the litter is fresh, exciting and full of firsts.
Set in the heart of south-west England, the Pig in the Cotswolds found its home in a 17th-century, honey-hued, listed building. Previously owned by Rosemary Verey, the legendary garden designer and writer who died in 2001, the finished property feels almost like a collaboration between Rosemary and the Pig. Though the bedrooms offer all the piggy hallmarks – antique furniture and rugs, large freestanding baths – Judy Hutson has adapted her signature viridescent palette: “I’ve leaned into purples and pinks here, with floral, blouse-y wallpapers to suit Rosemary’s planting,” Judy explains.
As long-time fans of the Pig hotels will know, Judy typically chooses a fictitious figure when designing a new opening – Great-aunt Mabel at the Pig in the New Forest, Mark Rylance’s character in Wolf Hall at Harlyn Bay – and uses them to inform a subtle spin on the house style. The Pig in the Cotswolds is the first time she has had a real person as a jumping off point.
The palette of purple and pink continues downstairs in the communal areas, making the Library and the Snug particularly cosy. Perhaps cosiest of all, though, is the former broom cupboard turned one person nook, which juts off the library. It’s secluded enough to read the morning papers in peace, but certainly not isolated. The nook has become one of Judy’s favourite spots in the whole hotel. “This property is actually a little short on communal spaces, so you have to get creative!” Judy explains with a smile.
However, guests will have no problem finding places of their own here, with Rosemary’s garden designs left largely untouched. There is much to explore by way of follies, outdoor bars, and extensive kitchen gardens. Of course, it was the idea of a kitchen garden, with enough homegrown produce to feed guests year round, that first sparked the idea for the Pig hotels back in 2011. At the latest Pig iteration, the team have opted for raised beds rather than a walled garden, so as not to disturb Rosemary's plans. The property is also home to native foraging hedges, full of edible nuts and berries.
Guests can look forward to the Pig's classic 25-mile-menu, where 80% of the menu comes from within 25 miles of the hotel–and every single plate is touched by something from the garden. Suppliers are named and traceable, too. Meals are served up in the dining room, where green panelled walls provide a charming backdrop to a wooden fireplace and colourful glassware. Judy has even managed to find some decorative vintage oyster plates which have tiny blooms painted on them: this room's little nod to Rosemary.
Another exciting first for the Pig hotels is the Fieldhouse, a wellness area with treatments and an outdoor hydro pool. Inherited from the building’s previous custodians, Barnsley House Hotel, it’s a far cry from the usual ‘Potting Shed’ offering at the other properties. However, Judy has worked her typical magic, adapting the existing space, or in her words, “pigifying” it. Seed packet print fabrics, employed in Potting Sheds elsewhere, adorn chaise longue in the relaxation room, and giant paintings by long time collaborator Natasha Klutterbuck hang on the walls.
Whether you are a long standing fan of the Pig hotels, or looking to make your inaugural trip, the Pig in the Cotswolds is sure to provide a brilliant stay.
The Pig in the Cotswolds is open now. Prices for room-only doubles start from £250 | thepighotel.com
