Just ten minutes shy of the charming town of Holt in Norfolk, you will find The Pigs, Edgefield, offering comforting local food and luxury accommodation – with a twist!
This 17th Century country pub is full of charm and character and is one of the Norfolk Passport brands alongside Byfords of Holt and The Assembly House, Norwich.
The Pigs have created more than just your average B&B, here is a place to eat, sleep, spa and repeat, in fact, you’ll feel like a pig in muck when you stay at The Pigs.
First Impressions…
From the moment you enter through the grand porch you’re flanked by Hogarthian caricatures; this is a quirky pub. There’s ‘piggy’ references throughout from stag-like pigs’ heads mounted on the walls, right down to the little plastic pig character on your room key. You can even leave with a pack of Free-Range Eggs – how local can you get? A sign for things to come.
Who needs a room with a view?…
On a dull, drizzly afternoon, I checked into room 19, this wasn’t just any room… it was a private spa suite and it came complete with its own little luxuries including a private sauna and steam room. The warmth of the rustic wooden walls instantly lifted me; it felt as if I were in a log cabin and I could have been anywhere in the world.
I then discovered I had my own courtyard garden area with a fire pit, complimentary logs and marshmallows, perfect for those looking for a romantic break away.
Not to fear, if things become too hot to handle, there is an outdoor bucket shower, or for those like me who dislike the cold you may prefer the warm indoor drench shower, this room is unforgettable.
For those looking for a little more, The Pigs has its own spa garden with a hot tub you can book during your stay, a tempting range of treatments, and a spa bar where you can pick personalised products for your spa stay. There’s little need to venture out!
Little Extras…
In the corridor leading to the rooms you will find a small bar stocked with drinks, sweets, biscuits, more marshmallows, skewers, scented petals for the bath and cranberry scented oil for the saunas. Alongside it there is a price list and the “Honesty Pig”.
If you really want a treat “The Wallow” is the latest addition to The Pigs. With a huge square footage there’s plenty of space for the in-room experiences including sauna, stream room, in-room dining and an exclusive hot tub deck set in a secluded garden, but book now, as at present, it’s fully booked into early 2019!
The Bar & Restaurant…
The bar is rustic, with dark wooden beams and a traditional bar serving real ales and homemade cordials. The restaurant uses local ingredients from Norfolk wherever possible and if I were a meat-eater; I think I would have been in heaven. Luckily, there was plenty of choice for me, the vegetarian. The Pigs kitchen fields a fortnightly menu with the best fresh, seasonal ingredients.
To start, I ordered the Norfolk tapas, famously referred to as ‘Iffits’. The Wild Mushroom and Tarragon Terrine with chestnut butter toast was packed full of flavour, along with Roasted Cauliflower and Cashew nuts. I also sampled the Sweetcorn Fritters, which I must say, was my favourite little ‘Iffit’.
For the main event I plumped for the ‘Pub made Veggie Burger’, the vegetable patty was sandwiched in-between a lightly toasted and homemade seeded bun, coated with fresh tomato and dappled cheese with the chunkiest chips and ‘Edgefield slaw’. The burger was a great meat substitute, but the hand-cut chips definitely stole the show.
Finally, and yes it was a little piggish, I treated myself to the ‘Dark Chocolate Torte’ with Blackberry Compote and after that, this little piggy was done.
The verdict…
Romantic self-contained spa rooms and luxury family suites makes The Pigs perfect for couples and families alike. You won’t get bored with a piggy play area and there’s even a pooch friendly menu if your child is of the four-legged kind!
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious bolt hole after a day walking the on glorious North Norfolk beaches, or a full on pamper session in a charming country setting, you’re in the right place.
Address: Norwich Rd, Melton Constable NR24 2RL
Phone: 01263 587634
Website: thepigs.org.uk
