Harden's survey result
Summary
This original in Robin Hutson’s litter of eight shabby-chic country-house hotels scattered across southern England is known and much loved for its “always buzzy, interesting, well-managed” atmosphere and “knowledgeable staff”. According to fans, “their locally sourced food (from a self-imposed 25-mile menu) is cooked to perfection”. But ratings dipped a bit this year, with one or two reporters “disappointed” by delays or menu items being unavailable (perhaps “because of challenges after re-opening post-Covid”). Nevertheless, “we'll be back” is a common refrain.
Summary
The original and some say “the best” of the six country-house hotels in the ‘Pig’ litter put together by Robin Hutson, the founder of Hotel du Vin. The “laid-back atmosphere” and “shabby-chic look” have won over a legion of fans, who say it’s “good for a date-night and a stay-over” as well as “great for kids, who can run around outside between courses while you chat”. The dining room – a “glorious orangerie looking out over the gardens” – reflects the sustainable, home-grown ethos of the kitchen, although the cooking divides opinion: some reporters have enjoyed “fantastic food”; others describe an “interesting but very limited menu that won’t appeal to everyone’s tastes” and is “overpriced for the quality”.
Summary
The original and some say “the best” of the six country-house hotels in the ‘Pig’ litter put together by Robin Hutson, the founder of Hotel du Vin. The “laid-back atmosphere” and “shabby-chic look” have won over a legion of fans, who say it’s “good for a date-night and a stay-over” as well as “great for kids, who can run around outside between courses while you chat”. The dining room – a “glorious orangerie looking out over the gardens” – reflects the sustainable, home-grown ethos of the kitchen, although the cooking divides opinion: some reporters have enjoyed “fantastic food”; others describe an “interesting but very limited menu that won’t appeal to everyone’s tastes” and is “overpriced for the quality”.
Summary
The New Forest original of Hotel du Vin founder Robin Hutson’s ‘Pig’ litter (there are now five, with three more opening in 2019), this country-house hotel with a shabby-chic vibe has tapped into a booming market for “quality without the fuss”. Menus are built around “good local ingredients” – some from the kitchen garden, most from within 25 miles – while the “relaxed” atmosphere means both hotel and dining room are “great for families”, with “plenty to encourage children to eat well”. Overall, though, while it’s “a delightful setting with a lovely ambience” and unimpeachable local ethos, “it’s not matched by the results when it comes to the food”: “the ingredients looks great in the garden but don’t shine on the plate (mind you the foraged items were worse)! It just lacked flavour”.
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Pig?
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £26.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7QL
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
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