Travel - The Pig at Combe

February 14, 2017


Happy Valentine's Day lovers. I love Valentine's Day, I mean I know so many people are a bit cynical of the whole thing, it's gone a bit commercial etc and we don't need an excuse to show romance, but what's wrong with sharing the love. With everyone, not just partners, it's just a day for a lot of love. I take it to the extreme with decorations in my lounge the weekend before but why not when it's all things pink and hearts. Anyway, I'm back! Back to blogging after a rough couple of weeks of illness both mentally and physically. I'm not quite sure whether to talk about it on here or not, it's not that I don't want to it's just I want to write up all the fun blog posts first. Like this one where we spent the weekend at the new Pig hotel in Combe. We've been long term lovers of The Pig Hotel chain {and stayed at the one in Bath here and the one on the beach for our anniversary here} but it had been a while since we'd booked a stay. I saw a winter deal for a Sunday night where we got a room with breakfast for a discounted rate and we had some vouchers to use up, bonus! So I decided that I'd treat Ben for a little Valentine's getaway and it was just what we needed and the Pig was even better than I'd remembered. Travelogue and alll the photos below.


We packed the car up on Sunday morning and drove down to East Devon for the night. It was three hours each way which was probably a bit far for just one night but we'd heard that the new Pig at Combe was everyone's favourite so we wanted to try it out. It wasn't a work trip so I didn't want to take my camera, all these photos are from my phone. 



The Pig have such a knack for acquiring gorgeous old properties with walled gardens. So so gorgeous, it reminded us a lot of the other two that we'd visited but with a unique feel about it too. It's set in gorgeous rolling Devon countryside in a little village. 





We arrived too early to check in but wanted to go for a walk to stretch our legs after being in the car for so long. We'd picked up lunch en route and then sat outside looking over the fields to eat the rest. I suddenly just felt SO much better, the best and happiest I'd felt in weeks. Just being away, being with my favourite person in the world, happy, fresh air, laughter. We took a map of the estate from the hotel and went on a six mile walk. I then realised I'd left my coat at home!! So had to borrow Ben's to keep warm! 










Fresh air, country lanes and cute snowdrops.


Back at The Pig, and out of our muddy wellies, we explored the main house. Floor tile love. 




We were so excited to get back and check in to our room. I love the Pig's style, rustic enough to feel homely and 'us' but completely beautiful and luxurious enough too. 



We were in the main house with a big comfy bed and rolltop bath under the window looking across the fields. 














I was a big fan of all the antique gold taps and towel rails. And those cast iron radiators had me excited for the ones we're fitting in the new extension.







The mirror opposite the bed turned into a TV, such a fun idea. And we spent the afternoon in bed. Me with a stack of magazines and the Sunday Times to read, Ben with the rugby and a big bag of mini eggs. H E A V E N. 


We'd remembered the amazing dinners from previous stays, The Pig is focused around food and calls itself a restaurant with rooms rather than a hotel so we were excited after a lazy afternoon to get ready for dinner.



 



THIS GUY. 💘



We've only stayed in the summer before this visit yet I think that actually The Pig Hotel's are made for winter. Cosy library rooms with roaring fires to snuggle up in. When we drove up you could see all the chimneys smoking away and for a big old mansion house it was seriously toasty everywhere with fires in every room. 




Without a greenhouse, this Pig to us felt the most formal of them all so far. But not in a bad way, in a grown up sexy kind of way. 






We ordered drinks before dinner in the library and stole the best seats next to the fire for a while to look through the menus. 



And then we were wowed by the dining room. We loved the idea of dining in the greenhouses before but this for the winter and dark evenings was so so much more spectacular. 




With just enough greenery to still know it as The Pig.




We ate so well. Crab croquettes to start, hake for my main and lamb for Ben and then the puddings of dreams. I actually couldn't decide between three mains and three puddings, I was completely torn and wanted them all. 



Our waitress was super lovely though and as we couldn't decide, let us have an extra one on the house so we could have a taste of all three! Ben had the rice pudding, I had an apple and blackberry tart and then we shared the iced chocolate and walnut which was seriously the best I've ever had. All presented on a board with chocolate shards. 😍  as a random side note, the music playing that evening was just so perfect. Some of my all time favourite songs, I really need to email and see if they have a playlist.


We retired for a bath, Homeland and bed, dreaming of breakfast the next morning. No joke, I'd literally been dreaming of it since our last stay eighteen months ago. The poached pears are my favourite!




I had granola with the poached, to die for, pears, apple and cranberry and prune compotes mixed with yogurt. Then avocado and the brightest orange yolked eggs on toast followed by a mouthful of croissant. I couldn't fit anymore in, I really did want to though. You can have as much as you like from the breakfast tables and then order from the main menu. 



Breakfast is normally my least favourite meal of the day but here it's my very favourite.







It was a beautiful day so we walked around the grounds, checking out the kitchen gardens to get some inspiration for our allotment this year. The whole thing was just beautiful and outside the main house were some cute horse box rooms in the old stable yard {on my list to stay in next time!}. At this time of year everything is pretty bare yet it still looked pretty. And in the spring and summer will be incredible.












Oh and I didn't even mention that old folly in the grounds with a pizza oven in! We wished we'd have had more time for everything.




I'd forgotten just how much I love a romantic getaway somewhere like The Pig. We're definitely not leaving it so long next time. So so much love for this guy and to The Pig for making me remember my old self again. 


R <3 xx 

You Might Also Like

3 comments

  1. The Pig is my favourite hotel ever! Hope you're ok though Rebecca - sounds like you've had a rubbish couple of weeks but fingers crossed you'll be feeling cherpier soon. Sending lots of love - Charlotte (www.thehomethatmademe.com) x

    ReplyDelete
  2. It looks so lovely Rebecca! I saw some Insta posts from your stay and got major room envy! Hope you had a lovely time x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks lovely. I am definitely going to book sometime!
    Glad you are feeling a little better.
    Take care xxx

    ReplyDelete

@rvk_loves on Instagram