The Pig at Bridge Place

A short hop from Canterbury, a Grade I listed Jacobean mansion and former music venue that once hosted rock legends such as The Kinks was the sixth addition to Robin Hutson’s Pig collection (see index). Styled by Judy Hutson, it is wildly atmospheric with ‘lots of gorgeous snug areas’. A panelled lounge in deep purple has a carved-oak fireplace, gilt-framed portraits, squashy sofas by a wood-burner. Spread over the main house, coach house and converted barn, rooms all have their own quirks and delights. A reader loved their ‘luxurious and comfortable suite’ and ‘fantastic bathroom with a walk-in shower and large roll-top bath’. Another noted that ‘even tiny No. 4 manages to fit in an impressive oak four-poster’. Hop-pickers’ huts stand on stilts in the water meadow. Menus are created around the bounty of the walled kitchen garden, with produce from the Garden of England and the Kent coast. Imagine Dungeness cod, Northern Light leek and lobster sauce or chargrilled pork chop with garden greens. Pick from ‘fabulous locally produced wine, beer, gin and cider’ for a tipple to go with the ‘most amazing flatbreads’ served in the garden.