Where the garden leads the kitchen

“We dined at The Pig in Brockenhurst on 28 December, and while the setting and concept are undeniably attractive, the overall experience felt like style over substance, especially given the price point. The environment and décor are beautifully styled and create a warm, rustic atmosphere. On the whole, the food and drink were good, but not consistently great. Unfortunately, the vegetarian options were particularly poor and unimaginative, which felt disappointing for a restaurant that markets itself as thoughtful, seasonal and ingredient-led. For instance the Squash was just laid on a full plate of lentils. Service was another weak point. There was no real sense of a warm welcome when we arrived, and the experience felt impersonal throughout. There was no major issue but it lacked attentiveness and warmth except for the young lad who was the food runner who was stood out as warm and friendly. We waited over 15 minutes at the bar for our pre-dinner drinks order to be taken, and by the time the drinks arrived, we had barely five minutes to enjoy them before being called into the restaurant. The margarita cocktail itself was also underwhelming, overly diluted with ice and not served in the way you’d expect from a proper margarita. To add to this, the restaurant had run out of the Bakewell Tart dessert, which I only discovered after ordering it. This was at 8:30pm, which felt surprisingly early to be out of a signature pudding. Given the significant cost and the restaurant’s positioning as a luxury dining experience, the service, food availability and vegetarian offering should, and easily could, have been much better. There is clear potential here, but it currently doesn’t quite live up to the expectations set by the branding or the price.”

“I had high hopes but left feeling disappointed and frankly robbed. I came with my partner for a birthday. The sitting room by the entrance is lovely with wooden floors and open fires, which was the kind of atmosphere I’d expected to eat in. Peaceful, homely and elegant. Instead we were taken to a cold orangery space that was crammed full of tables, that felt more like a family friendly pizzeria due to the early 00’s style floor tiles, which also didn’t help soak up any restaurant noise, making it very loud. Service was poor from the start. Drinks took 15 minutes to arrive and starters followed almost immediately, showing no sense of pacing. The brown crab on focaccia was let down by limp bread that should have been toasted. Mains then took 30 minutes and arrived at 9pm. Carrots were already sold out by 7.30pm on a Friday. My pork loin was so chewy I could not finish it. We skipped pudding due to inattentive service and I had to go to the counter to ask for the bill. £160 for two courses and non-alcoholic drinks only. What should have been a celebration left me feeling sad and disappointed.”

“We’re glad we didn’t pay peak-season prices for our stay at The Pig, Brockenhurst. The room itself was cosy, with a huge, comfortable bed and a great shower. That said, for the price per night, the overall experience fell short. On our first evening, we ordered room service. Getting through to the front desk was surprisingly difficult. It took four attempts over a couple of hours before anyone answered, which isn’t what you expect at this level. The second night, we ate in the restaurant. We had a few drinks at the bar beforehand, but getting served was painfully slow. Staff clearly saw we were trying to order yet repeatedly looked away or distracted themselves elsewhere. On both occasions, it took around 15 minutes to get served. The service felt borderline rude, and this wasn’t due to understaffing. A special mention, however, goes to Harvey, who served us our final round. He was switched on, professional, and knew exactly how to engage with guests. Everyone else could learn a lot from him. Once seated in the restaurant, things improved significantly. The food was impeccable, genuinely delicious. Lazlo, who looked after us, delivered exactly the level of service you expect when paying these prices. Friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and professional. Credit where it’s due. We also booked two bespoke massages (where we specified pressure/effectively a sports massage) on the Saturday. Unfortunately, this was a major letdown. The therapists appeared inexperienced, and what we received was nowhere near a sports massage. It was light, ineffective, and lacked any real pressure. At £125 each for 60 minutes, we expected skilled therapists capable of delivering the treatment we requested. This simply wasn’t that. Overall, The Pig is a pleasant enough place to relax, but for the money, it was underwhelming and didn’t live up to expectations. Based on my experience, I wouldn’t recommend it at this price point.”

“Amazing food in a beautiful setting. We shared the beef and it was melt in your mouth. The new forest raspberry cheesecake was incredibly fluffy and light too. Non alcoholic drink selection very good - Spicy Marg was very good. Would definitely visit again. Was such a treat and the hotel and grounds are stunning”

“A Country Retreat That Gets Everything Right Food: Every dish at The Pig, Brockenhurst bursts with fresh, local flavour. Every bite was a true delight. Service: Staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Their passion for the hotel and local produce makes every interaction feel personal and effortless. Price: The experience feels perfectly worth it. You’re paying not just for the food, but for a beautifully crafted stay that lingers long after you leave. Room: The rooms are a serene countryside haven—stylish, comfortable, and filled with thoughtful touches. From plush linens to charming views over the grounds, every detail creates a restful, luxurious retreat.”