This little piggy went to Pigstock

Angels & Urchins is a huge fan of the great outdoors. A few years ago, web manager Amanda Morison reviewed the first Featherdown Farm (aka ‘camping-for-people-who-are-a-bit-pathetic-when-it-comes-to-actually-camping’) for The Guardian, and we recently applauded their new Field Spa. At the moment, we’re flicking through Cool Camping to see if they’ve any tips on sites that guarantee minimal rainfall. And talking of cool (and rain), you’ll get plenty of both at Bestival, The Big Chill and all those other family friendly summer festivals. Our latest find is Pigstock. You read that correctly. On 13, 14 and 15 August 2009, what’s probably the UK’s smallest music festival, will be held in the garden of The Royal Oak Pub, Bishopstone, Wiltshire. The hosts are the pub, and Helen Browning’s organic pig farm. You, and your little piggies, can bed down in a pig arc (clean straw and firewood included), and will be ferried to the festival by Land-Rover. There are local bands to enjoy, open air yoga, and a (what else?) hog roast to power you through.

Pigstock is the second music festival hosted by Eastbrook Farm, and The Royal Oak, listed by Michelin in their top 500 food pubs 2009, and by Alastair Sawday as a gold award winner in his ‘Special Places’  Pub and Inns 2009. In the words of Helen Browning, guests will, ‘Wake to the sound of pigs yawning. It will be like camping in a joyful children’s playground, because the pigs run round all day, then sleep, then escape, then go home’. Each pig arc can sleep a maximum of six people, and you’re welcome to bring a horse (!), though you can arrange to be picked up from Swindon, the nearest station. You’re also welcome to bring your car. Adventurers also need to bring essentials; sleeping bags, pillows, towels and any vague creature comforts, such as deck chairs and books (although the pub has its own fully stocked bookshelf). Helen also recommends a coat, suitable footwear and a bicycle. She, like the Met Office, cannot guarantee the weather.

Price per person per night: £18 (£10 for children aged 12 and under). This covers pig arc (or tent or camper van); showers and loos; campfire wood; running water from a standpipe, use of Land-Rover around campsite/village shuttle. Extras include open-air yoga, breakfast in bed (well, arc), Land-Rover collect and deliver service to or from Swindon station. There is one larger pig ‘cabin’ available, which can hold 20. Helen is also happy to accept up to 10 tents or camper vans on the site, though the maximum number is likely to be, ’60 people on any one night, we don’t want something too big.’ Quite right. We’ve seen The Muppet Show, and know the kind of ego Miss Piggy and her ilk often possess.
Bookings: 01793 790460; info@helenbrowningorganics.co.uk. A minimum stay of two nights is encouraged.
More information: www.royaloakbishopstone.co.uk; www.helenbrowningorganics.co.uk

And this little piggy says, 'Come to Pigstock!'