Ginny Weeks visits The Angel & Blue Pig in Lymington, Hampshire

WHAT'S THE BUZZ?
The pretty port town of Lymington sits in a picturesque location between the New Forest and the Solent strait. It’s a buzzing little place with vintage and interiors stores and a wide high street leading to the popular sailing harbour. The Isle of Wight is only 40 minutes away by ferry. The 13th-century Angel & Blue Pig is located on the high street. The building is inviting and characterful with wrought-iron balconies and large windows showing off the cosy interior. As you enter the open plan bar and seating area it’s obvious this isn’t just a ‘pub with rooms’ but a stylish inn with a well-considered feel and a loyal following.

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?
The 12 rooms (single, king or superking) have been decorated in a mixture of country chic and nautical styles with distressed finishes, natural weave carpet and flashes of tartan or whitewashed florals. Our king room wasn’t huge, but the perfect size for a weekend break for two. There’s a real focus on stylish comfort with large beds, lounging chairs, and locally made soft wool blankets on the bed.

ANY LUXURIOUS TOUCHES?
Details like the crisp Egyptian cotton sheets, fluffy thick towels and dressing gowns and the White Company toiletries gave the room a touch of luxury.

BEST SEA VIEW?
Our king room had a view of the Solent strait and out to the Isle of Wight. A particularly pretty sight at night when the lights illuminate the island.

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD?
The restaurant can be found at the front of the hotel overlooking Lymington high street. It’s a smart, intimate space with romantic corners for couples and larger tables for groups. Most people – locals and visitors alike – visit for the excellent selection of 28-day matured beef steaks, supplied by John Penny & Son in Yorkshire and cooked to perfection in a charcoal oven. We enjoyed a meal of goats cheese panna cotta with pickled beetroot, rare fillet steaks with black peppercorn sauce, buttered kale, poppy seed onion rings and hand cut chips on the side, finished off with a bottle of Argentinian Malbec. For dessert, we shared caramelized poached pear crème brulee and walnut shortbread.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
King-sized room B&B from £95 angel-lymington.com

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