A couple of weeks ago my friend Hannah and I had a long overdue catch-up, celebrating with a weekend in the New Forest; consisting of a lush spring lunch at The Pig, Brockenhurst, picturesque walks, ice creams in the sun, and a spa day of rest, relaxation and pampering.
The sun shone for us as we drove through the forest, spotting New Forest ponies along the way and admiring the beautiful countryside; it could have been summer! Pulling into The Pig, the hotel looked glorious in the shining sun, surrounded by lush greenery and flowering plants. It was lovely to see the hotel in a new season as I’d previously visited in the autumn and winter months, when the views were somewhat of a juxtaposition, with the frozen pond, crisp brown leaves, and roaring fires inside keeping everyone toasty. See a previous piggy post here!
We arrived early for our booking so decided to take a walk around the grounds, looking in the greenhouses and viewing the array of plants being grown in the English country garden. This time the grounds were filled with bright greens underneath the blue skies. The greenhouse was full of herbs and fresh ingredients ready to go straight to plate in the restaurant later that week. We spotted pigs, chickens and quails roaming around and basking in the sunshine.
Picking out comfy seats in the bar, we sat down with a large glass of beautifully crisp, cold Sauvignon Blanc and chatted as we browsed the menu in anticipation for our table. A firm favourite, ‘Piggy bits’ were our starter of choice, trying out the crispy crackling with homemade apple sauce. We then both had the Pork Escalope, with chorizo and wilted chard, sharing some thrice-cooked crispy chips.
I always love the decor in The Pig. The conservatory with its floor to ceiling glass is always bright and airy, filled with greenery, beautiful multicoloured floor tiles and a stunning array of mismatched crockery, bringing in some artistic flair and individuality.
Perfect for an afternoon cocktail outside, a sit-down meal to celebrate a special occasion or just a catch-up chatter over lunch, I’ll always love The Pig for its homely interiors, beautiful grounds and tasty treats!
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