THE PIG In The South Downs

High on the chalk hills above Arundel, THE PIG-in the South Downs occupies a Georgian country house surrounded by orchards, a walled Kitchen Garden and the group's first vineyard. Its roots run deeper than the hotel itself: the land was farmed organically for decades before THE PIG arrived, leaving mature fruit trees and productive gardens that now feed directly into its 25 Mile Menu.

Story

Before it became THE PIG, the house was known as Madehurst Lodge, a Georgian secondary house belonging to the nearby Dale Park estate. For many years it was home to the Barron family, who embraced organic farming here long before it became commonplace.

That legacy was still visible when THE PIG arrived. The estate inherited old English apple trees, established fruit cages and soil that had been managed organically for more than half a century. Rather than beginning again, the team built on what was already growing.

The hotel opened in 2021, adding a new agricultural chapter: THE PIG's first vineyard. Vines now stretch down the south-west-facing slope below the house, joining the Kitchen Garden, orchard and surrounding Sussex producers in shaping what guests eat and drink.

Why we selected THE PIG In the South Downs

It opens up rural Sussex

Madehurst is tiny: a handful of houses surrounded by the National Park. Staying here puts guests among chalk grassland, beech woods, vineyards and old country lanes, with Arundel and the Sussex coast nearby.

The landscape determines what's eaten

Vegetables, herbs and fruit come from the walled Kitchen Garden, orchard, polytunnels and other growing spaces, with the rest sourced from farmers, fishermen, cheesemakers, bakers and producers within roughly 25 miles.

The group's first vineyard

The chalky South Downs have become one of England's most exciting wine-growing landscapes. Here, vines grow directly below the hotel, making English wine part of the experience of the property itself.

A garden with genuine agricultural roots

THE PIG inherited land that had already been organically managed for more than 50 years, including mature orchards and fruit cages rather than creating an instant version of country life.

Local life & traditions

The South Downs have been shaped by farming, sheep grazing and chalk soils for centuries. Today, those same chalky slopes support another increasingly important local tradition: English winemaking, with vineyards scattered across Sussex producing celebrated sparkling and still wines.

Around Madehurst, this agricultural culture remains tangible. Local farms, orchards, vineyards and fishing communities on the nearby coast supply THE PIG's kitchen, while the hotel's own productive garden follows the changing Sussex seasons.

Authentic experiences in the area

Discover the South Downs through its wine

Start with the vines outside your window before exploring neighbouring Sussex producers. The surrounding chalk landscape has become synonymous with some of England’s most highly regarded wines.

Walk the chalk hills

Set out from Madehurst into the South Downs National Park, following country lanes, chalk grassland and beech woods before returning to the house for dinner overlooking the vineyard.

Eat within 25 miles

Experience Sussex through a menu that changes with the garden and seasons, supplemented by fish from the nearby coast and produce from local farmers, growers, bakers, butchers and cheesemakers.

Walk the Kitchen Garden with the gardeners

Join the free daily garden tour to see what’s being grown, picked and sent into the kitchen that day, from heritage fruit to herbs, salads and seasonal vegetables.

Protecting culture & land

THE PIG inherited an unusually strong foundation at Madehurst. Under the Barron family, the land had already been managed organically for more than half a century, leaving mature English apple trees, fruit cages and established productive ground. THE PIG has continued to use that landscape rather than replacing it.

Today the walled Kitchen Garden includes old espalier apple trees, mature pear, apple and cherry trees, alongside polytunnels, a nuttery, mushroom house and smokehouse. Produce travels a matter of metres into the kitchen, while ingredients the estate cannot provide are sourced from nearby Sussex producers wherever possible.

Location & surroundings

THE PIG sits in Madehurst, West Sussex, a tiny hamlet high in the South Downs National Park, around four miles from Arundel.

The setting is classic Sussex: rolling chalk hills, farmland, beech woodland and winding lanes, with the English Channel close enough for the coast to influence both the landscape and the kitchen. Arundel brings its medieval castle and historic town, while the wider area is increasingly defined by its vineyards, making the hotel particularly well placed for exploring the emerging culture of English wine.

Key details

Address

Madehurst, Arundel
West Sussex
England

Getting here

By train: Arundel is the most convenient nearby station, followed by a short taxi journey to Madehurst.

By car: Madehurst sits just north of Arundel within the South Downs National Park and is roughly two hours from central London depending on traffic.

By plane: London Gatwick Airport is the closest major airport, around 26 miles away and approximately one hour by car.

Facilities

Main House, Stable Yard & Courtyard rooms

Potting Shed treatment rooms

Restaurant overlooking the vineyard

Walled Kitchen Garden

Historic orchard

Local walking routes

Wine experiences

More

30 individually designed bedrooms

Field & Garden Wagons

Words from the owners

“That's the part of the history you can still eat.”

— THE PIG, on Madehurst's organic farming legacy

Every stay booked direct keeps value with the people of this place, so they can reinvest in culture, community and land

We believe travel should give back more than it takes; that it can protect cultures, not erode them.

That is why we connect you directly with each hotel’s own website. By booking direct, value remains in the hands of those who shape these places, enabling reinvestment into local culture, community, and land.