The warmer weather and the longer days provide the perfect excuse to plan a weekend getaway or a longer holiday in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). With picturesque villages, characterful towns and some of the country’s finest countryside, there is always something new to discover and summer offers the ideal chance to explore.
With a wide array of accommodation options including stunning self-catering properties, expansive country house hotels, characterful B&Bs, independent countryside inns, historic town centre hotels and much more, there is something for everyone and all budgets. Surrey Hills Enterprises – the Community Interest Company that provides a support network for local businesses – represents the very best, many of which have been awarded the Surrey Hills Trade Mark, a mark of quality, provenance and sustainability.
Here are some inspiring accommodation ideas from Surrey Hills Enterprises’ members for a Surrey Hills’ stay this summer:
Part of The Alexander Hotel Collection, Barnett Hill is an elegant Queen Anne-style mansion, set atop a large hill in 26 acres of lovingly maintained gardens and woodland in a rural setting near Guildford. Now a luxury four star boutique hotel, Barnett Hill has a passion for delicious food, superb service and divine rooms.
Denbies Vineyard Hotel is England’s first vineyard hotel, located in the heart of Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, with outstanding views across the 265-acre estate and rolling hills. The hotel offers 17 ensuite rooms, both spacious luxury suites and doubles with king-sized beds as standard, with a Vineyard Restaurant and bar area reflecting its prime location at the heart of Surrey Hills wine country.
A lovingly restored, luxurious Grade I listed, 11th century moated manor house, Great Tangley Manor is a large private residence which is available for exclusive use, for up to 12 guests. This historic venue boasts extensive Victorian gardens, an indoor swimming pool and a hard tennis court.
A charming 4-star spa hotel set within outstanding Surrey Hills’ countryside at Newlands Corner, Guildford Manor Hotel offers a first-class dining experience, acres of picturesque Surrey Hills views, function rooms, and luxury spa facilities. This luxury boutique hotel makes for the perfect getaway for couples and families and provides an inspiring setting for business trips.
The Hurtwood Inn is a family run independent Hotel, Bar and Restaurant in Peaslake, which is in the heart of the Surrey Hills. With 15 boutique en-suite rooms, along with a separate 2-bed Holiday Cottage, the hotel also features two Wellbeing rooms, a private rear garden and terrace, and a restaurant serving a mix of Italian and English food, along with seasonal specials.
Stay in five-star luxury at the geographical heart of the Surrey Hills with a self-catering stay at Surrey Hills Cottages. Holly and Nursery Cottages, former cattleman and gardeners houses, have been refurbished to provide beautifully well-appointed accommodation on the 225 acre Coverwood Farm. The cottages can sleep between 4 and 10 guests and features range from log burners and panoramic views to a wood fired hot tub overlooking the grazing cattle.
A classic English village inn and B&B, The Drummond at Albury offers friendly bar and elegant dining room, pretty pub garden by the stream and characterful bedrooms. The newly refurbished rooms are stylish, sleek and comfortable, with most located above the pub, with some across in a cottage.
The Merry Harriers is a 16th century Inn located in picturesque Hambledon. A local Inn in feel, whilst being a destination to rest, stay and play with a host of Surrey activities and experiences on offer, stay in characterful accommodations, with something for everyone. The Merry Harriers offers four traditional Inn Rooms, six contemporary Garden Rooms including one with views onto the llama paddock, and five Shepherds Huts.
The Old Cook’s House is located at Brownlow, between Hindhead and Grayshott, just two miles from Haslemere. Built in 1913, it is a fine example of an Edwardian home. The family and pet-friendly accommodation offers a large fully equipped kitchen, dining and lounge area, double room, twin room and a bathroom with a private entrance for self-catering guests.
Nestled at the heart of the picturesque village of Ripley, The Talbot stands as a storied and historic coaching inn, boasting many period features from its 500 year history. The inn was a frequent hitching post for Lord Nelson and is said to be the site on which his love affair with Lady Hamilton blossomed. Today. The Talbot offers 43 en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant overlooking the terrace and garden and a cosy bar.
A stalwart on Cranleigh High Street, The Richard Onslow is a classic English village inn with a friendly old bar & snug, elegant dining room, secluded courtyard and ten characterful bedrooms. The historic rooms all have the little comforts you’d find at home with each one simply but stylishly decorated in keeping with the pub’s age, making the most of original fireplaces, ancient beams and low doorways.
The White Horse Hotel is situated at the centre of Dorking’s historic High Street, is an ideal base from which to explore some of the South East England’s most exclusive attractions. The hotel offers 56 luxury en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant and bar known as The Dozen and is one of the most storied coaching inns dating back to 1278.
Wotton House near Dorking is a country estate hotel unlike any other. The sweeping driveway, flanked by flora and fauna, sets the tone for a rejuvenating stay in elegant surroundings. The impressive country estate boasts 17th-century Italianate gardens designed by famous botanist, John Evelyn, 125 stylish bedrooms, a heated pool and sauna and the 1877 Restaurant & Bar.
To discover more local businesses within the Surrey Hills, visit: www.surreyhills.org/our-community/find-local-businesses.