Settled. That’s how I felt crossing the threshold from the rolling Cotswolds countryside into the warm, welcoming reception at The Pig – Cotswolds on day 3 of the Cotswolds to Bath In Style itinerary. Despite its 17th-century grandeur, this manor house is anything but pretentious. Quite the opposite, in fact. Its lack of uniformity, the cosy fires lit daily no matter the season, and the thoughtfully layered details all work together to put you instantly at ease. Like arriving home.  

A Country House That Feels Like Home

Perfectly imperfect. That sense of ease isn’t accidental. It’s the result of a clear vision from founders Robin and Judy, who set out to create spaces that feel lived-in rather than styled - homes or hotels. 

After a day on the trails, its cottage-like comfort wraps around you with open arms and a deep sense of calm. As Sophie, the hotel Director, so beautifully put it, “You’re being welcomed into The Pig’s home.” And that’s exactly how it feels - not like a guest, but an old friend dropping by for a visit. 

Everything here is intentional. There are no karate-chopped cushions in sight - instead, the furnishings and fabrics are left to sit and fall in their organic shapes. It’s nothing like a pristine show home where you’re afraid to touch anything. This is a place that invites you to flop onto the bed, kick off your boots, and make it your home for the night. Even a few of the charming portraits hang ever so slightly skew-whiff - and I wouldn’t be surprised if that, too, was deliberate. Nothing escapes the eagle eyes of the proud team here, least of all Judy, who personally curated every element of the hotel. 

The design leans fully into the building’s character, history, and quirks. You’ll notice subtle purple tones running through every room - an ode to the soft violet pigments found in the exterior stone. Hints of lavender, gentle mauves, and pops of heather create a cohesive yet distinctive feel in each space. It’s quietly pleasing, never forced. 

From floral motifs and natural textures to the earthy colour palette, nature takes centre stage, with a clear intention to blur the line between inside and out. 

Shaped by History, Rooted in the Garden

When shaping the design, Judy often asked herself, “What would Rosemary like?” Rosemary Verey, a renowned gardener whose clients included King Charles III and Elton John, left an indelible mark on this place. Her influence lives on in the gardens of Highgrove - and here at The Pig. Before becoming the hotel it is today, this was Rosemary’s family home for decades, inherited by her husband. Prior to that, the property belonged to the church, and traces of the rector’s own design touches - like the Gothic Summer House - still linger around the grounds. 

After a horse-riding accident, Rosemary turned to gardening, experimenting with planting, landscaping, and design. What began as recovery quickly revealed a remarkable talent. She went on to lecture, host garden tours, and write books, becoming a respected figure in the gardening world. One standout feature is the 17th-century French garden, inspired by a trip to Villandry in France. On returning home, Rosemary recreated it for herself. How do I know this? Her grandson told me so. Setting down his wheelbarrow, he wandered over for a chat. Tony has helped uphold her legacy for the past 35 years, and the pride in his voice was unmistakable. A true family affair - and just one more reason to fall in love with this special corner of the Cotswolds. 

There’s a comforting familiarity to everything here, as though you’ve returned to somewhere you’ve been before. The hotel’s charm envelops you like a hug. If opulence is what you’re after, this isn’t it. Instead, you’ll find quiet class and understated sophistication in the mismatched antiques and vintage treasures, each hand-picked by Judy. A quintessentially English escape where switching off comes naturally after a long day. 

Open any household mug cupboard and you’ll rarely find a matching set - pieces lost to time or clumsy accidents, replaced one by one. That’s exactly the feel they’ve recreated in the bar. Every glass is thrifted or sourced from antique shops across the country. Order a round with friends and each drink arrives in a different vessel, perfectly suited to what’s inside. Purposeful mismatching, just like a family home’s mug cupboard. 

Every detail has been thought through. An army of wellies lines one wall - green, black, yellow - standing to attention like loyal sentries. It is the countryside, after all, and the British forecast is never to be fully trusted. They’re there just in case a muddy ramble beckons. Practical, charming, reassuringly sensible. 

As you wander the grounds, gardeners quietly go about their work. Always happy to stop for a chat, but otherwise as unobtrusive as garden fairies, tending the land with care. Their thoughtful planting choices ensure the gardens burst with colour throughout the year. 

Meanwhile, in the kitchen garden, head gardener Andy and his team are busy planting, harvesting, and nurturing beds and orchards brimming with fresh, homegrown produce.  

Deciding what to plant each season is a collaborative effort between the gardeners, chefs, bar team, and spa therapists. Ingredients for seasonal menus, cocktail garnishes, and aromatherapy treatments are all grown on-site. Add to that the hens supply breakfast eggs, and the beehives produce organic honey used throughout the kitchen. 

I sampled their honey flapjack cookie. One word: yum. 

From Garden to Plate

That same thoughtful philosophy extends to the restaurant, where the kitchen proudly operates a 25-mile menu. Wherever possible, ingredients are sourced either from the hotel’s own grounds or from trusted producers within a 25-mile radius. The result is a menu that shifts with the seasons - and sometimes even with the day - guided by whatever the kitchen garden is yielding at that moment. It’s a true celebration of local, British produce, cooked with care and simplicity, letting quality speak for itself.  

After dinner and perhaps a nightcap, you’ll head off to the land of nod with a full belly, a sleepy smile, and the kind of cloud-like comfort that only comes from being well fed and well looked after (and an insanely comfy bed!). I can 100% confirm. 

Hidden Paths and Quiet Indulgence

Back in the garden, tulips nod and dance in the spring breeze. Following a wooden sign, I head down an unassuming path, almost hidden beneath frothy cow parsley, which leads to the Fieldhouse Spa. 

Upon entering, it's calm and restorative, but as you descend to the lower level - where the treatment rooms are tucked away - it feels as though you’ve stepped into a cosy crypt from ancient Greece. Lily, the Spa Manager, described the staircase perfectly: like a Tardis. Dimmed spotlights cast a gentle glow across the exposed brick walls, their crumbly, timeworn textures proudly on display. The effect is instantly grounding. The space seems to draw you in, gently insisting that it’s time for some well-earned TLC. 

Here, the focus is firmly on nature. Facials, massages, sauna sessions, and a soak in the heated outdoor hydrotherapy pool all feature on the thoughtfully curated treatment menu. Each treatment room feels like a tranquil garden escape in its own right - soothing, cocooning, and deeply restful. I had to muster every ounce of restraint not to flop straight onto the treatment bed there and then. 

Aswell as their own herbs, the spa uses Tribe 517 products - 100% natural, crafted with beeswax and honey, all hand-harvested. They feel balmy, rich, and indulgent, a joy for both therapist and guest alike.  

Before or after your treatment, the relaxation room invites quiet contemplation, best enjoyed with a glass of herbal tea. Come evening, the outdoor fire is lit. Sit back, listen to the crackle of flames, and take in the wide, open views of the Cotswolds countryside as dusk settles in. 

Beyond the spa, there are countless little nooks waiting to be discovered. A library with a softly flickering fire, its shelves lined with Rosemary’s own books, gently encourages you to linger just a little longer. Then there’s the bar - a cosy, welcoming corner that draws you in for a garden-inspired tipple or a glass of something local. The kind of place where time slows, conversations soften, and another chapter of the evening quietly unfolds. 

At The Pig –in Cotswolds, discovery is unhurried. You wander, you notice, you settle. And somehow, without quite realising it, you feel completely at home. 

And if you want to know more about this charming hotel nestled in the Cotswolds, just click the video below. The story only gets cosier from there.