Perfect pampering at The Pig
EVER thought of having a beauty treatment in your very own potting shed?
It could not be more trendy. A beautiful old country house hotel turned into a cool, contemporary hangout for Londoners and other hipster smoothies are now offering relaxing treatments in a potting shed.
The Pig near Bath has roaring fires, slouchy velvet sofas, lots of candlelight, a restaurant, cocktail bar, cottage garden, outside terrace - and is the ideal retreat from the city.
You know you are in for something different when you arrive at the gate of the long, meandering drive with cows and deer grazing in the pastures.
Inside you are greeted by cool, young, non-uniformed staff in jeans and polo t-shirts.
It is almost like you are in the private house of a wealthy relative - a very wealthy relative, that is.
Everything is homely and warm - magazines and books are strewn around the sofas nonchalantly, left behind by cool Londoners wishing to escape the city.
The hotel is about a 40 minute drive from Bath, to the village of Huntstrete in the Mendips.
The hotel, restaurant and bar is one of a growing family of Pig hotels around the country.
The chain owns eight hotels around the country with venues Studland (Dorset), the New Forest, Canterbury, Southampton, Devon, Cornwall and the South Downs.
The Pig on the Beach in Studland, Dorset is popular with people from the West Country.
It is right on the beach at Studland, with sea-foraged food and amazing views.
Some people go for lunch and special occasions.
The Pig near Bath has a more countryside feel, with great food from the cottage kitchen garden.
You feel like you are on a farm and the decor is really cool and contemporary, a bit similar to Babington House.
The hotel runs events and mini festivals throughout the year with many people glamping on site.
One of this year’s attractions is spa treatments in a potting shed.
Everyone likes a potting shed to tinker around in, but in the Pig’s private spa sheds you can have a deeply relaxing treatment to restore mind, body and soul.
■ To find out more and to book a table, treatment or room at the Pig, visit www. thepighotel.com/near-bath