The Pig at Harlyn Bay

The last time we had the pleasure of staying at one of the Pig’s properties, Mr Smith and I were still in our newly wedded bubble, the thought of children (ours or anyone else's) far from our minds. 

However, the Pig’s litter has grown at an even faster rate than our own, so we thought it was high time we ticked off another location, this time with our own little piglet in tow. 

Of course we selected Cornwall as our destination, the furthest pig from East London, with the hope of sun, sea and seafood, all wrapped up in a stately home. Perfectly situated just a 10-minute walk to pretty Harlyn Bay, and a mere 10-minute drive to foodie favourite Padstow, it appealed to us all. 

There was Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth for me, BOATS, BEACH, SEA (said at the top of her voice repeatedly for the entire drive) for little Smith, and the kitchen garden for the husband.

Pulling up the gravel driveway, we’re given the warmest of welcomes and quickly helped with our embarrassingly large number of bags. Once settled into our room – more on that later – we explore the main house, which is a maze of cosy snugs (complete with board games), wine cellar and panelled dining room. 

When I booked our stay, I had the bright idea of getting a courtyard room, thinking we’d put our little piglet to bed, and spend the evening al fresco – swapping stories, working our way through the extensive wine list and just generally having a merry ol’ time. 

I had not accounted for the fact it was early May in Britain, with temperatures dropping below 10 degrees rather rapidly once the sun had gone in for the evening. Like long forgotten Everest climbers, we were found outside our room (heaven forbid we wake the toddler), wrapped up in blankets, books in hand, tucking into the locally-sourced complimentary snacks. 

Our enthusiastic rescuer came bearing drinks menus, and suggested we might want a cheese board set up for us. Such is the hospitality at the Pig, they’ve thought of what you need before you have.

With another piglet in the works, I was off the booze, however nowhere has it been so easy to abstain, with the non-alcoholic options every bit as impressive as the rest of the menu. That said, if wine is a passion (and lord knows it is normally), WSET-trained staff will take great delight in finding you the perfect bottle.  

The Pig has long flown the flag for using hyper-local suppliers, replicating their 25-mile menu in each of its locations. Relying on their on-site kitchen garden for an abundance of goodies, seasonal veggies are championed throughout the year (strawberry and beetroot salad anyone?) and supplemented by the finest producers and farmers. 

In addition, here at Harlyn Bay you’ll also find the Lobster Shed, serving, you guessed it, whole lobsters in a variety of ways. We find ourselves going full-blown veggie one night, so good is the homegrown produce, and devouring garlicky crustaceans and chips the next. 

Having successfully crept back into our room without waking the little tyrant, we’re woken at 6.30am, which is made infinitely more bearable by our gorgeous room. Staying in a ‘Big Comfy Luxe With Terrace’, there’s ample space for a travel cot, as well as a squishy sofa and separate shower room. The light streams through our begrudgingly opened shutters, and the roll-top bath fills up faster than we can get out of our PJs. 

Breakfast starts at 7.30am, meaning we’re always first in the dining room, with little Smith happy as can be with her cornflakes. Meanwhile we gorge ourselves on the generous farmhouse table which groans under the weight of boiled eggs, ham, cheese, granola, seasonal fruit, yoghurt, pastries, juices and more. 

That said, it’s worth finding room for one of the hot plates which, along with all the classics, includes the delightfully fresh smashed peas and poached eggs on toast (after all, avocados aren’t grown round ‘ere). 

With nothing on the cards for the day but building sandcastles and eating as much delicious Cornish grub as we can muster, Mr Smith and I tag team playing hide and seek in the grounds, while the other sneaks off to the potting sheds for a treatment. 

Tucked away at the bottom of the kitchen garden, past the garden wagons (alas, I didn’t spy anyone using their outside showers) the peaceful setting is enough to put you ‘in the zone’ before you’ve even smelt the aromatherapy oil. With a pregnancy pillow provided to support the bump, my masseuse gets to work, using organic Voya products to deliver a relaxing full body rub. I must admit taking my time strolling back.

Sadly there were no little piggies on site during our visit, having just been sent packing to the abattoir (proof that the Pig is the real deal when it comes to home grown food), but there were the most beautiful chickens to befriend – something little S took great delight in each morning. 

Although a different experience with a toddler in tow, the Pig’s Harlyn Bay location was every bit as delicious, welcoming and restorative as we remembered. However, we’ll try to arrange a babysitter for our next visit, or at least remember the thermals.