I did the maths last week and it’s been eight months since our last proper break when we went to Lombok. I realise this is totally a 1st world problem. But throw in an international move in the middle of those eight months, these are not for the faint hearted and this one kicked my butt big time, I needed a break! 

The kids had Easter break with school so we spotted a window to get away. My brother and his lovely girlfriend offered to come and house / dog sit for a couple of nights so we were all set for ‘escape to the country’ April edition. 

Next hurdle was finding somewhere to go. I spent a good week looking around for something reasonably priced that was nice, with good food, was in a town or countryside (I wasn’t picky at this point) and that had good sleeping options for the four of us. We’re happy to squeeze into one room but the kids are at the point where they want their own beds. I was shocked at how much, in my opinion, ‘expensive rubbish’ was available. 

I stumbled across The Pig Hotels literally at 4am on the day that we left. They had one vacancy across all of their hotels for a two bedroom cottage. We snapped it up, packed our bags (luckily we’re quick at packing), and jumped in the car at 9am with our takeaway teas and Candy Kittens sweets. #roadtrip 

I’m obviously late to the game on The Pig Hotels as when I rocked up on their instagram page a lot of my friends and insta friends are already following them. After our stay I get the hype and now a proud member of ‘The Pig Fan Club’. 

This is a little foray away from my Asia content but I know you’re going to fall for The Pig too, so here’s my review of our stay at The Pig at Combe down in Devon. 

The Rooms at The Pig at Combe

There are a few options on where to stay at The Pig at Combe. We stayed at their cottages which are at the bottom of the driveway by the gatehouse and next to some incredible rhododendrons. This does either require a beautiful walk up the hilly driveway through the fields to the main hotel or the team are very happy to come pick you up in their Land Rover, which is a lot more exciting in my book. 

I fell in love with the cottage we stayed in from the moment we put the key in the original wooden door. We walked straight into the main living space with hooks for our coats, a table for eating, a cosy living area around the biggest fireplace and a little nook kitchen with all the appliances you need for a short break. 

The best stocked mini bar I’ve seen yet, equipped with ginger shots, eggs, freshly baked bread and the tastiest jam. Basically everything you need to whip up a breakfast in your pajamas. 

The bedrooms are so spacious that if you went with another couple neither would be pulling straws for the ‘big’ room. Our ground floor bedroom came complete with a cast iron bath, Roberts radio and the walk-in shower-of-dreams. One that we now want to recreate at home.

That’s before I even get started on the divine bedding that I may also now be trying justify purchases with my in-house financial controller aka the husband (pillows are from tielle and bedding Beaumont & Brown). I don’t normally sleep well on my first night anywhere, at The Pig at Combe I slept for 12 hours straight! I can’t remember the last time I slept that long. 

Parking was easy and just outside the door next to a little rambling stream. We could also walk into the village from the back of the garden (sadly missing a pub or cafe), but lovely for a pre-bedtime stroll. 

Opposite the cottages were a collection of shepherds huts, whilst beautiful these are aimed at couples. All delightfully decorated and a respectable distance apart from each other. 

Then up at the main house are a selection of rooms some of which are in the converted stables and look so much fun to stay in as they still have the stall dividers in. 

Top Tip: We stayed in the Chicken Run Cottage and it was perfect. 

The Food at The Pig at Combe

Now I hazard a guess that the food is the reason 90% people stay at the pig (interior decor aside). Each of their hotels is assigned a team of three kitchen gardeners who work super hard to produce fresh tasty ingredients all year round for the kitchen. 

As with the rooms there are a few options on how to dine at The Pig at Combe. Firstly the main restaurant, 25. Situated on the side of the building overlooking the valley in two adjoining rustically decorated rooms. A not-at-all-stuffy atmosphere with super friendly staff. The food does the talking here. 

The main restaurant at The Pig at Combe is called 25, and only serves food from a 25-mile radius. Genius! I’ve never seen such an inspiring range of vegetarian meals that made my mouth water. I did however opt for the lemon sole and it was worth it. 

Top Tip: Go for the side of greens, slightly different with each meal but each time they blew my mind. The kids were obsessed with the croquettes. 

Not super hungry? You can also sit in the bar area and eat picky or piggy bits (pig based nibbles), if you just want some drinks and bites. 

Want something a little more fancy? You can hire out their private dining room which is housed in the old kitchen at the back of the house, complete with the old stove and kitchen accessories. Or you could opt to dine in the wine cellar amongst all the amazing wines. Their wine list is out of this world and something for every budget and pallet. 

Lastly, there is the Foley across the path next to the kitchen gardens. Situated in what looks like the old orangery with all the charm of a potting shed still intact. The heart of the Foley is a huge pizza oven. We dined here on the first night and loved the soft yet crispy pizza’s. The team were great and made some plain pizzas for our kids. I had the anchovy pizza and it was amazing. 

Top Tip: We loved the cocktails in The Foley.  I had the kaffir lime shandy but swapped beer for gin. Trust me it’s a winner. 

Top Tip: Or if you fancy a night around the fire, I saw that they’ll deliver pizza’s to your room. 

6 Things to do at The Pig at Combe

We only spent two nights here so I don’t feel like we fully exhausted the list of what you can do at The Pig at Combe or the local area but here’s some of what we got up to. 

1. Afternoon at the seaside, we went to Sidmouth for a few hours. Took a walk along the beach and watched all the dogs playing in the surf and a few brave soles surfing in the sea. There were a few little streets and side alleys to amble around. 

Top Tip: Check out The Bagel Shop in Combe Lane for possibly the most delicious bagels you’ll ever eat. 

2. Pause at the Spa, based deep in the kitchen garden in the old potting sheds. When I say I had one of the best facials of my life I don’t say it lightly. Utterly relaxing, with the rain pattering away on the roof whilst I was tucked up on a heated bed under a warm blanket. A real treat and one you won’t regret. 

3. Visit the chickens. I’m well and truly in my ‘country era’. So there was no way I was passing up on the opportunity to take the kids to feed the chickens and collect the eggs. Down on the farmyard halfway up the driveway you’ll find 30 hens. To my delight some are even friendly enough to pick up and cuddle. We hung around the farmyard for a bit, saw the cows and had a lovely chat with the local dairy farmer and his son. 

Top Tip: Pull on those wellies, it’s muddy in April. 

4. Get a tour of the kitchen gardens, at 11 every day you can meet in reception and the head gardener will take you for a wander around. We left totally inspired to create our own kitchen garden this year at home. We already have the beds set up and seedlings on our window sill. My son wants to plant in regimented rows and I’d like to grow a vine in a Victorian conservatory; one of those wishes will be easier to deliver on than the other. 

5. Take the bikes for a spin around the countryside. If you don’t mind the odd hill the hotel has a set of bikes you can take for a ride. We didn’t have time for this on this visit, but next time for sure. 
   
6. Visit a fossil museum. On the way home we stopped off at Lyme Regis as our youngest wanted to visit the fossil museum. Despite the museum smelling a little musky he had a whale of a time looking at all the fossils and bones, the eldest child half engaged so it was a win. Lyme Regis was also nice to walk around with some independent shops like ‘Ginger Beer’. Typically I spotted the store I wanted to go to at the top of the hilly high street (was worth the hike too, sorry). 

Top Tip: We didn’t get time to eat there but Millside looked like a lovely place for a glass of wine and yummy lunch. 

The Journey to The Pig at Combe

It took us three hours from Surrey to get to The Pig at Combe door-to-door. Plenty of Starbucks and service stations on the route we took, which went past Stonehenge. Nice easy route with a mix of dual and single carriageways. 

Our cottage was ready by the time we arrived, but we were hungry so headed into the restaurant for a quick bite before someone showed us down to our room and gave us a quick tour. 

Summary of The Pig at Combe

I’m now furiously searching where the other Pigs are. My friend has already tipped me off to the one in Bridge, Canterbury as a good egg in their mix and I can’t wait to check it out. If you love a Pig, please drop it in the comments. 

If you’re ok to make peace with the British weather and indulge in a mini break into the countryside in April then I can wholeheartedly recommend The Pig at Combe. Pack your wellies, a waterproof coat, an empty stomach and you’re all set. 

We left feeling refreshed, well nourished and ready to tackle another term. 

Where to find The Pig at Combe, Devon

Address: The Pig at Combe, Gittisham, Honiton EX14 3AD
Instagram: @the_pig_hotels
Contact: 0345 225 9494 or email us at reservations@thepighotel.com
Check-in and Check-out time: Check in from 3pm at THE PIG-at Combe. However, you’re more than welcome to arrive earlier to drop off your luggage and explore the gardens. Check out is by 11am.