The bright lights of London’s bustling metropolis tell us that bigger is better, but get outside of the M25 and you’ll see that size isn’t everything, and the best things do come in small packages.
Take a trip Hampshire, and you’ll realise that almost everything about the New Forest is quaint and gentile, and quite noticeably pocket-sized. Whilst the countryside fills the horizon like an expansive and statuesque stage, its players all veer on the smaller side, with delicate trees and bush-land smattering the landscape like Mother Nature channeling Jackson Pollock, whilst its famously miniature ponies prance about around your knees.
A day cycling around the New Forest is amongst the finest outdoor experiences in the UK, and those seeking a most beautifully personal stay should head to one place only, The Pig, just outside of Brockenhurst.
The boutique hotel nestles seamlessly into the undulating hillsides, with its olde-world charm offset fabulously by its sharp and modern interiors. As quirky as it is stylish, the hotel must be considered one of the nation’s most stunning undiscovered gems, with a delightfully eccentric collection of curios adorning every corner, and a wonderful welcome unlike many you’ll experience.
One thing that’s not small is the reputation of The Pig’s food offering, and we’re happy to report its as good as its stellar status suggests it will be. Being close to the south coast its seafood is a particular delight, and only serves to reinforce the hotel’s credentials as being one of the most enjoyable and unusual weekend breaks outside of the capital.
Address: Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7QL, UK
