Joan’s Piggery
Light, open, cosy and full of character
Joan’s Piggery is made for slow countryside days and cosy evenings for two. In summer, think sun loungers, alfresco dining, BBQs and a late soak in the hot tub. In autumn and winter, it is all about wrapping up, enjoying the darker skies, warming up beside the stove and settling into the kind of evening where there is nowhere else you need to be.
The cottage itself is a detached, Grade II listed stone building, carefully transformed from the historic pigsty at Tan Pits Farm while retaining the character that makes it so distinctive.
Inside, it is completely open-plan, with the sleeping area, lounge, kitchen and breakfast bar all flowing together in one bright, relaxed space. The cottage looks directly across the neighbouring fields, and the openness of the setting brings in an incredible amount of natural light. On clear mornings, you can often catch the sunrise across the fields.
We wanted the interior to acknowledge what this little building once was without turning it into a theme. The colour palette centres around rust, olive green and warm cream, carried through throws, cushions and carefully chosen details, with subtle pig-inspired touches throughout.
The result is light, warm and contemporary while still feeling connected to the history of the building. There are also a few playful details you may not notice straight away, including a secret make-up cupboard tucked neatly into the space.
Named in loving memory of Joan, the cottage is a little building with a lot of history and heart behind it.
A note from Kate
While we were finishing Joan’s Piggery, David and I would sometimes just sit in there for a while. He’d put the stove on and we’d simply enjoy the space.
We’d occasionally use the hot tub too, and even though our home was only moments away, stepping into Joan’s somehow felt like we had escaped somewhere else entirely.
That was when we knew we had got it right. That feeling of being able to switch off completely is exactly what we wanted to create for our guests.
Kate
Countryside right outside the door
The fields around Joan’s Piggery belong to neighbouring farmland and are actively farmed.
Cattle are usually in the surrounding fields at various times between around April and November. Their presence can’t be guaranteed, but when they are nearby they regularly pass close to the cottage. Every now and then, one or two have even found their way into the garden.
They can be quite inquisitive too, especially when they’re young, so don’t be surprised if a few gather at the bottom of the field and watch what you’re doing.
Deer visit the area regularly, and pheasants are spotted from time to time. We’ve even seen a deer and a pheasant together beneath the bird feeder beside Joan’s Piggery in the morning, so it’s always worth keeping an eye out.
Canada geese and ducks also move through the surrounding fields, buzzards can often be seen circling overhead, and in the evenings you may sometimes hear owls calling nearby.
A view that changes with the seasons
The landscape around Joan’s Piggery never really looks the same twice. The Pigeon Tower can be seen throughout the year, while in winter, when the leaves have fallen, the view opens up towards Rivington Pike and you may catch a glimpse of the reservoir through the trees.
Longer summer evenings are made for sitting outside and watching the light soften across the fields, while autumn and winter bring crisp walks, darker skies, hot-tub evenings and the warmth of the stove waiting inside.
Around Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve, fireworks can sometimes be seen in the distance from the surrounding hills. These displays are organised by others, so they cannot be guaranteed.
In autumn, the Rivington Terraced Gardens Festival of Light may also be visible across the landscape, depending on the event dates and conditions.
Light, open, cosy and full of character
Joan’s Piggery is made for slow countryside days and cosy evenings for two. In summer, think sun loungers, alfresco dining, BBQs and a late soak in the hot tub. In autumn and winter, it is all about wrapping up, enjoying the darker skies, warming up beside the stove and settling into the kind of evening where there is nowhere else you need to be.
The cottage itself is a detached, Grade II listed stone building, carefully transformed from the historic pigsty at Tan Pits Farm while retaining the character that makes it so distinctive.
Inside, it is completely open-plan, with the sleeping area, lounge, kitchen and breakfast bar all flowing together in one bright, relaxed space. The cottage looks directly across the neighbouring fields, and the openness of the setting brings in an incredible amount of natural light. On clear mornings, you can often catch the sunrise across the fields.
We wanted the interior to acknowledge what this little building once was without turning it into a theme. The colour palette centres around rust, olive green and warm cream, carried through throws, cushions and carefully chosen details, with subtle pig-inspired touches throughout.
The result is light, warm and contemporary while still feeling connected to the history of the building. There are also a few playful details you may not notice straight away, including a secret make-up cupboard tucked neatly into the space.
Named in loving memory of Joan, the cottage is a little building with a lot of history and heart behind it.
A note from Kate
While we were finishing Joan’s Piggery, David and I would sometimes just sit in there for a while. He’d put the stove on and we’d simply enjoy the space.
We’d occasionally use the hot tub too, and even though our home was only moments away, stepping into Joan’s somehow felt like we had escaped somewhere else entirely.
That was when we knew we had got it right. That feeling of being able to switch off completely is exactly what we wanted to create for our guests.
Kate
Countryside right outside the door
The fields around Joan’s Piggery belong to neighbouring farmland and are actively farmed.
Cattle are usually in the surrounding fields at various times between around April and November. Their presence can’t be guaranteed, but when they are nearby they regularly pass close to the cottage. Every now and then, one or two have even found their way into the garden.
They can be quite inquisitive too, especially when they’re young, so don’t be surprised if a few gather at the bottom of the field and watch what you’re doing.
Deer visit the area regularly, and pheasants are spotted from time to time. We’ve even seen a deer and a pheasant together beneath the bird feeder beside Joan’s Piggery in the morning, so it’s always worth keeping an eye out.
Canada geese and ducks also move through the surrounding fields, buzzards can often be seen circling overhead, and in the evenings you may sometimes hear owls calling nearby.
A view that changes with the seasons
The landscape around Joan’s Piggery never really looks the same twice. The Pigeon Tower can be seen throughout the year, while in winter, when the leaves have fallen, the view opens up towards Rivington Pike and you may catch a glimpse of the reservoir through the trees.
Longer summer evenings are made for sitting outside and watching the light soften across the fields, while autumn and winter bring crisp walks, darker skies, hot-tub evenings and the warmth of the stove waiting inside.
Around Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve, fireworks can sometimes be seen in the distance from the surrounding hills. These displays are organised by others, so they cannot be guaranteed.
In autumn, the Rivington Terraced Gardens Festival of Light may also be visible across the landscape, depending on the event dates and conditions.
