The Pig In Cornwall Needs To Go On Your Bucket List
There are few things I love more than a coastal hotel and a really good meal, so a mini moon at The Pig at Harlyn Bay felt like exactly the right call. Cornwall was showing us both sides of itself while we were there, but that only made the hotel more appealing.
The location
The hotel sits just above Harlyn Bay, close enough to the beach that you can simply wander down. On brighter days, we walked the coast path and came back windswept and hungry. When the rain rolled in, we stayed inside, which turned out to be just as satisfying. A coffee by the fire, a drink at the bar and an afternoon that drifted into evening felt entirely in keeping with the place. You are here to slow down a bit, and the hotel doesn’t let you forget it.
What sets it apart
The Pig has never been about polished hotel minimalism, and that is part of why it works. This is a 15th-century house with stone floors, heavy wooden doors, old fireplaces and enough quirks to keep it interesting. The furniture is eclectic, the rooms feel layered rather than styled within an inch of their lives, and the whole place has real personality.
You can come in from the beach in muddy boots, sit down for dinner and not feel overdressed or out of place.
Harriet, Head Of Partnerships
What The Pig does well is make you feel settled quickly. You can come in from the beach in muddy boots, sit down for dinner and not feel overdressed or out of place. That relaxed energy is the point. It feels welcoming and lived-in, making it an easy hotel to stay in which, notably, is not the same thing as a forgettable one.
The rooms
We stayed in one of the cosy luxe rooms in the Stonehouse, with views across the courtyard, orchard and gardens. It was a comfortable base, with a freestanding bath and a monsoon shower that felt especially welcome after a cold dip in the sea.
Rooms range from cosy, spacious bedrooms to more rustic garden wagons, with rates starting at £225 per night. This is not the kind of place you book for glossy perfection. It is the kind of place you book if you want character, comfort and a sense that you have actually gone somewhere.
The food
Food is where The Pig truly comes alive. With a focus on seasonality and locality, many of the ingredients are sourced from its own allotment and local suppliers.
Breakfast is relaxed and generous, with an egg-boiling station, homemade granola, fresh fruit and a full English if you want to go all in. The sausages were a standout. Later in the day, the Piggy Bits are the thing to order, especially with crackling and apple sauce.
The Lobster Shed is worth making time for too. It is more casual than the main restaurant, which suits a lunch after the beach. Garden pea hummus, South Coast scallops and spicy crab tostada were the dishes that stood out most.
With a focus on seasonality and locality, many of the ingredients are sourced from its own allotment and local suppliers.
Things to do nearby
With Harlyn Bay beach only a 5-minute walk from the hotel, you couldn’t be better set up for a coastal location. Even if the weather isn’t playing ball, you can spend an hour warming up at the beach sauna and dipping into the sea (for the brave ones).
The dramatic cliffs are also perfect for morning runs or walks, with the Southwest Coast Path offering some of Cornwall’s most iconic scenery. The Bedruthan steps are also worth a visit; we’d recommend getting a bus there and walking back for the full experience. Take sandwiches.
Padstow itself is only a 10-minute drive away, with plenty of seafood restaurants and independent shops. If you’re looking for a truly memorable experience, Paul Ainsworth at No6 is the place to book. The Michelin-star restaurant serves up modern British dishes made with seasonal Cornish.
A massage or facial at their in-house spa, Potting Shed, is also worth booking. The cosy setting and natural products will leave you feeling totally rejuvenated.
The verdict
The Pig truly captures the essence of a Cornish escape with beautiful surroundings, exceptional food, and the perfect place for a mini-moon or a long weekend. For a coastal retreat with charm, personality and just the right amount of countryside romance, it’s a standout stay on the Cornish coast.
The Pig truly captures the essence of a Cornish escape with beautiful surroundings, exceptional food, and the perfect place for a mini-moon or a long weekend.
Getting there & booking
By car, the hotel is reached from major routes through Cornwall, with the final stretch offering a scenic countryside drive that sets the tone for a slower pace. For those travelling by train, Bodmin Parkway railway station is one of the closest stations, with onward taxi connections. Newquay Airport is also just a 20-minute taxi ride away, making it a great option for those from London.
BOOK ONLINE AT: thepighotel.com
