The reason: In April, Adam and I decided to kick off using some of the vouchers and experiences we were lucky to receive for our wedding in September 2023. One of those was a voucher to contribute towards staying at any of the prestigious: Pig Hotels We settled on The Pig on the Beach, because I always yearn to be by the sea! And Adam is happy to accommodate.
What about Studland: Studland Bay itself has breathtaking sandy beaches, beautiful lush green scenery, oh and the famous Old Harry Rocks (which we were lucky to have a view of from our bathroom! More on that later.) The Pig Hotel itself was formerly owned by the aristocratic Bankes Family, who once owned several properties in the area, including The Pig on the Beach. Whilst we can only imagine the grandeur of this place back in its day as a leisurely escape for aristocracy, The Pig chain has done an excellent job of making this leisurely seaside life obtainable to us all, even if it is only for a few days at a time!
The Hotel: This hotel exuded charm, and high-quality standards from the moment we pulled up. As we entered the house we were greeted by reception, we were a little early so we decided to go for a stroll around the grounds because although it was only April, it was a beautiful sunny Sunday! Outside you will find the charming outdoor pizza bar, The Wood Oven we were thrilled to obtain an ice cold rosé and of course a beer for Adam.
Exploring the local area: Once we had refreshed ourselves, we decided to go on a stroll to Old Harrys Rocks. Well… naturally we didn’t look at a map, or follow instructions, realized I wasn’t wearing appropriate footwear and we were carrying too much crap! So we followed the small group of people down a woodland path to what we discovered was The Bahamas of Studland, it was 15 minutes walking max, slightly sloping walk (incline on the way up!) to South Beach a small, perfectly formed 2KM stretch of beach, that curbed my craving to be by the sea!
After a stroll we headed back to the hotel, to see if our room was ready. Halfway between the beach and the hotel, was a gorgeous looking pub, with a little field (and fenced for dogs!) across the road where you can sit and enjoy a drink (and food!) in the sun! If we had had a couple of nights down there we definitely would have ventured to Bankes Arms Inn Studland, as a side note when grabbing the link I can see they now also do takeaway pizza. Now wouldn’t sitting on that beach eating a pizza, just be a slice of heaven.
To the room: Given we were very lucky to have a generous voucher for the hotel, we thought…well its to carry on our wedding celebrations so let’s treat ourselves! We booked one of the two shepherds huts (and we were in Harry’s Hut) the pictures are a little elusive on the website, but Harry you did not disappoint! As we walked past the kitchen garden, and the bar, we entered a little patio area, where two Huts resided, we hadn’t realized they were both ours! One is your living room & deck, and one is your bedroom and bathroom. With the only neighbours in sight, being of a different variety, sheep! Even now I still cannot pick a favourite hut! But my favourite spot was the little deck (I am just a sucker for an Adirondack Chair!)
So okay we were blown away with the room! Its small, quaint, and compact, yet fabulously shabby chic and with all the amenities you could want; shampoo, conditioner, coffee machine, mini bar, fan, and for the winter a log burner, and then you open the doors and look out at that beautiful room. I felt like I had stepped back in time as we enjoyed a bottle of champagne in our beautiful freestanding bath in our vintage champagne glasses, I simply cannot bathe without champagne now, it just doesn’t feel classy! Albeit obviously Adam and I live together, I don’t know if you are the same, but there is always something to do at home, or DIY, or cleaning. This was just the perfect location for the two of us to just be together, talk, laugh, look back on the first six months of our marriage and plan out what we want next out of life.
The Massage: After a couple of drinks (as we were conveniently located 20 meters from the Wood Oven, albeit we couldn’t hear it!) we chuggged some water, as we were off for massages, each in our own little Shepherds Hut. It was funny swanning down the pathway to the huts in our dressing gowns as everyone else sat in their jackets having a beer and taking in the view. The massage was 60 minutes, and it was divine, no fussiness just a quick chat about focus areas, a recommendation on the style of massage and we were off! And what I loved was no pushing products at the end. I massively respect several therapists are commission based on products, but I have found it really puts me off wanting to get a massage or facial. So the relief I felt when I was told to take my time, and enjoy my tea and get up when I was ready was a true delight!
The culinary experience: Both breakfast and dinner were had in 25-Mile which given the local dining options are limited I would say wasn’t too badly priced! Adam and I both had the New forest asparagus with wild cheese & pickled shallots at £16, followed by Salt Beef & Potato Hash with a fried egg, HP & Red wine sauce £27. Personally, I could never come up with the flavors The Pig delivered, and dinner gets an 8 out of 10. The reason being service started off well, but we noticed a decline in attention to detail albeit the restaurant wasn’t completely full (given it was a Sunday evening.) Asking for water three times, asking for more drinks, and then waiting a prolonged period of time for our mains plates to be cleared (I know I ate it! But the plate is the memory of just how much I have eaten!) it by no means ruined the evening or affected the wonderful time we had, in such an ambient and grand garden room, but something given the exceptional standard of the hotel is worth improving.
The Drinks: Cocktails, albeit I am a rosé gal I found myself sampling all of the cocktails a margarita (or two) with dinner and espresso martini after, and a couple of spring specials the bar had on. After dinner we strolled through to what can only be described as your grandpas study (your favourite grandad to be clear.) Chesterfield leather sofas, comfortable chairs, a fire place, and some (a lot) of taxidermy birds, which I cannot certify but would imagine were bought with the house! The ambiance was great, but again the service slightly deviated from the relaxed and warm feeling we had on arrival. Understandably it was a Sunday night and two chipper people have popped in to the bar at half nine, but we wanted to try it all! The mixologists skills for cocktail making were exceptional, I just having worked in a bar feel its your personality that brings the cocktail to life. Not the end of the world, but kind of a deterred for Sunday stays.
After we had eaten and drank all we could, we took a short stroll to our hut, and had one final drink on our deck before having the most peaceful nights sleep in a long time.
The next morning, we rose and had a coffee (standard view and coffee shot below. The sun was shining, the birds singing, it was simply perfect.
The morning after: We decided to turn left from the Pig to Studland Middle beach) which had sweeping bend and beautiful sand, but! We wanted to get back to see our doggos, so we headed off. Even the drive to and from Studland is beautiful, so much so we had to stop at the top of our long winding drive just to take it all in.
The Price tag: this room set us back £570.00 (but not truly as we had a very generous voucher) this did not include our food or treatments. If you are looking for recluse, and time with one an another, Harrys hut is surely worth the investment! (Note this would make an excellent wedding gift if you had a large group of friends wanting to give a couple an experience.)
All in all, I felt transported by this stay, back in time, to live simply, to slow down and not move so fast. To re-awaken senses, to enjoy every taste, smell, touch, and sound. It was bliss in all its glory, only one night made us feel this way! I would definitely recommend going for at least two or three nights and I reckon you would go home feeling like you had been on a 3 week holiday! The hotel had plenty of amenities, and activities to explore, as well as several fabulous walks/hikes out from it, had we had a little more time we would have definitely brought our walking shoes!
Thanks to the Team at the Pig on the Beach we look forward to going to one of your sister hotels soon!