Frost outside, fire alight inside

Winter in Studland

THE PIG-on the beach

POB Illustration

Winter on the Dorset coast brings a certain kind of quiet that the rest of the year never quite manages. The beaches empty out, the sea turns steel-blue and the cliffs and heathland take on a wild, windswept sort of beauty.

Studland Bay is right on our doorstep, with winter walks along the beach and across the heathland, while Old Harry Rocks look particularly dramatic with a bit of winter weather rolling in. Then you come back to our little corner of the coast, where the fires are already going, the kitchen garden is tucked up for winter and a free-standing bath is waiting upstairs with your name on it.

Four good reasons to come in the cold months

Forget traffic jams and packed restaurants. In winter, the Dorset coast settles into a slower, quieter rhythm – the roads are calmer, the beaches are wide open and there’s plenty of countryside to yourself. Perfect for bracing coastal walks, sandy boots and warming up by the fire afterwards.

Studland Bay is right on our doorstep, with footpaths leading straight from the hotel through the heathland and along the coast. Head out towards Old Harry Rocks for wide-open sea views, wander along the beach with the winter wind in your face, or pull on your boots and see where the path takes you.

Our free Kitchen Garden tours run at 11am, every day, all year round. In winter, you'll see plenty of hardy root veg being harvested, shoots bursting through the beds to fill the ‘hungry gap’ at the start of the new year - and you’ll get a good idea of why our dishes taste exactly like where they’re from.

A roll-top bath after a cold walk is one of life's better arguments and our Potting Shed treatment rooms are quietly tucked beside the Kitchen Garden for when the day calls for something a little more. After that, it's the fire, a glass of something good and a supper that lingers all evening.

From late November, Dorset gets into the festive spirit, with Christmas markets, twinkling lights and plenty of reasons to head out for the day. Swanage is just along the coast, with its Victorian streets, seaside charm and festive events, while nearby towns and villages fill up with local makers, food and plenty of mulled wine. Go midweek if you fancy taking your time, then head back to THE PIG-on the beach to warm up by the fire, with the sea just beyond the garden.

Back indoors

The good thing about a house in the middle of nowhere in winter, is that there's no particular reason to leave it. A cocktail at four with the fire going, cards on the table, and the quiet conundrum of whether you can be bothered to change for dinner. You can't, but nobody minds.

Winter on the plate

Our flavours are at their most wholesome and hearty at this time of year - think Dorset-sourced game, warming braises, local fish and plenty picked, preserved and cooked from our Kitchen Garden. Expect slow-cooked, seasonal dishes, root vegetables and punchy pickles, all making the most of what’s around us, with a proper taste of the coast and countryside.

Take a peek at the menu