Regularly referred to as the most affluent of the green and pleasant Home Counties, Surrey is 70% green belt land, meaning these rolling acres can’t be built upon. So this is prime territory for outdoorsy pursuits, punctuated by picture-postcard perfect pubs in pretty and historic villages, and large estates of grand old country houses - quite a number of which have now been turned into some of the best places to stay in Surrey.

Some of Surrey’s green bits are pretty famous. Box Hill is well known and loved by cyclists: it’s the closest ‘proper’ hill to London. The Surrey Hills are classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the chalk of the North Downs divides Surrey north and south. Leith Hill, Frensham Ponds, Newlands Corner and Puttenham and Crooksbury Commons are some of the other well-known names in Surrey woodlands, and natural treasures. These are all wonderful places to walk, and some of them are wonderful to cycle too, and Surrey has an extensive, and impressive network of footpaths and bridleways. Surrey is run through with rivers, too, and some of the best places to stay in Surrey overlook the Thames, the Wey, the Colne, or the Eden.

In amongst all this green and pleasant land are Surrey’s villages, towns and centres, with some really very charming options among them - especially if you’re looking for a little countryside escape, or a change of pace. Our Gurus’ have some great recommendations in Guildford, Weybridge, and Chiddingfold, as well as outside of Dorking, and around Farnham, and Godalming. Each of these larger centres has its own charms, but Guildford does have a castle, and some Surrey centres have important Arts and Crafts era architecture. But if you’re looking for an escape to the country, the best places to stay in Surrey will be further outside of the villages. Surrey has a couple of racing tracks - horse and car, a slew of interesting museums, and numerous historic buildings and sites.

The Best Places to Stay in Surrey

For a Special Occasion

• Beaverbrook looks luxurious on the outside, and on the inside. It’s a rather glorious country house, once owned by Lord Beaverbrook, the “newspaper baron”, complete with graceful staircases, a private cinema - which was also ‘Britain’s first cinema, and a glittering array of stained glass. More recent introductions are The Japanese Grill: where the former sushi chef at Nobu impresses with his sublime cute; the Coach House Spa, with its two swimming pools and impressive treatment menu; Frank’s Cocktail Bar - an Art Deco wonder; and interiors designed by Susie Atkinson from Soho House. Book a turret room for views, and your own private terrace. And bring the kids, there’s plenty laid on for them as well.

Country House Hotels

• Great Fosters is a luxurious country house hotel converted from a 16th century royal hunting lodge: red brick and typically Tudor. So where there was grandeur there still is, in the impressive main hall, in the tapestry be-decked suites, and in the beautiful gardens and grounds - which feature a maze, a yew walk, rose gardens, and now a pool. There’s now a Michelin starred restaurant as well. Accommodation is in the main building, and in a newer courtyard and cloisters buildings - which are where you’ll find the family-friendly, and dog-friendly rooms. the afternoon tea is lovely.
• Nutflield Priory is a wonderful old building, with magical stained glass windows, carefully carved stonework and woodwork, and wonderful views over Surrey and the Sussex countryside. It’s a popular spot for weddings - very photogenic, inside and out. It has 60 rooms and suites, decorated with a smattering of antiques and original art. The spa is set in 12 acres, and the restaurant has two AA Rosettes.

For Historic Charm

• There are a couple of pubs and inns on our Gurus’ list of recommendations for the UK that claim to be the oldest, and The Crown Inn, Chiddingfold is one of them. This one is definitely one of the oldest, built in 1285 as a rest house for Cistercian monks on pilgrimage from Winchester to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. Much of the building dates from the 14th century, including the flagstone floor and exposed beams. However today’s guests are also treated to contemporary bathrooms and DVD players etc.. And you can now reach the inn, in its picturesque location on Chiddingfold Green, from London in around an hour, in time for Friday evening apéritifs. The pub has plenty of charm, but the restaurant is excellent, offering hearty, gourmet meals and an extensive wine list alongside the pub’s local ales.

Best Pubs-with-Rooms

• The Percy Arms is a village inn in Chilworth, a pretty little spot outside of Guildford. Inside is a spacious and contemporary collection of five rooms, plus a bar and restaurant. Everywhere there’s a gently colonial feel, and the restaurant has a South African flavour, even at breakfast. Expect papering in-room tubs, plush and plump furnishings, lots of space, and rooms named after the big five safari animals.
• The Swan Inn Chiddingfold id a quintessential British pub and inn, with simple, rustic-contemporary decor, a 2 AA Rosette awarded restaurant, and a beautiful courtyard garden. The 11, comfortable rooms and suites are all great value. The ideal spot for a weekend escape to the countryside.
• The Hand & Spear is a carefully renovated Weybridge pub-with-rooms, with a quintessentially British menu and a family-friendly atmosphere. There are 12 rooms, and they’ve all been individually decorated, with feature wallpaper, art, a range of complimentary coloured paints and soft furnishings, and a collection of interesting antiques and objet d’art. Close to Hampton Court, Windsor and Chessington…
• The Hurtwood Hotel is a 13 room inn, in an idyllic country setting just outside Peaslake. Built in the 1920s, the inn is boxy and white on the outside, and quite white on the inside too - think crisp, white walls and linens, and accents in grey. The pub serves British classics, and a good selection of Italian options.

For a Weekend Escape

• Woodlands Park Hotel is a converted Victorian mansion, known for being one of the first private houses in the UK to have electric lights! The lean towards the modern has continued, and while the exterior remains relatively unchanged, inside you'll find much smoother lines and more muted, modern colours. With 57 rooms, and a choice of two restaurants - one with two AA Rosettes, this is a popular weekend escape.
• The Stag on the River is an 18th century inn, right on the River Wey, in quaint and historic Lower Eashing. This is a wonderful place to escape to for the weekend. Not only are the seven rooms charmingly atmospheric, with wonky walls and sloping floors, there’s also a great pub and restaurant downstairs, you’re close to the walking routes of the Surrey Hills, and only about 45minutes away from Waterloo by train.

For Foodies

• Our Gurus are familiar with a number of pubs-with-rooms called The White Horse, this one is old and charming, recently refurbished, and in central Dorking. The restaurant is very good, and surprisingly decorated, considering the building’s traditional inn exterior: it’s all white tiles, blonde wood, and plants.vThe lounge is cosier, more of a bar than a pub, with plush fabrics, a great wine list and a “grown-up” colour scheme. Upstairs are 56 rooms and suites, decorated with the same preference for teals, greys and the colour of wood. Interconnected rooms are available for families, and you can bring your dog for a modest fee.
• Denbies Vineyard Hotel is a 17 room hotel on the grounds of the 245 acre Denbies Wine Estate and vineyard in the Surrey Hills. The vineyard views are really something. Some of the hotel occupies an original farmhouse building, with a newer annex housing more contemporary bedrooms, All of the rooms are simple, airy and comfortable, and, of course, there’s a great bar and restaurant.

For Families

• The Barnett Hill Hotel is a beautifully renovated mansion just outside Guildford in the Surrey Hills, offering the best of both worlds when it comes to easy to access locations, and picturesque surroundings. Amongst the 56 rooms and suites there are a number of great family-sized configurations, and all the rooms are chic and spacious. As with all the best country house hotels in England, this one serves an excellent afternoon tea, and offers a fine dining experience in its restaurant — with a kids' menu courtesy of the GM’s kids! Four-legged family members are also welcome.
• The Merry Harriers has been a Godalming inn since the 16th century, and has the original Tudor beams and stone floors to prove it. At the front there’s a warm and welcoming pub and restaurant - fire-lit and warmed when appropriate, and at the rear are four guest rooms, all cosily decorated with warm whites, country-style furnishings and original art. In the yard are a group of llamas, and you can book them for treks - they carry the picnic hampers! Your kids will love it.

For a Spa Break

• Pennyhill Park Hotel and The Spa is a creeper-clad country house hotel and luxury spa resort, set on 120 acres of grounds, close to Bagshot, Ascot and Sandhurst. The grounds are very beautiful, and the location is great, but the spa is probably the main reason people visit these days. It’s got a spa bar, serving champagne, steam rooms, saunas, ice caves, Roman-esque heated rooms, foot spas, and several indoor and outdoor pools, including some heated options, and one where music is played underwater. Pennyhill also has two great restaurants.
• The Brooklands Hotel & Spa is something a little different, a racing themed hotel overlooking Weybridge’s historic car racing circuit. It’s an elegantly shaped building, with stylishly simple interiors that hark back to Brookland’s history. Pecksniff toiletries and Boca bathrobes lend a pampering vibe which naturally extends to the spa. Our Gurus enjoyed the hot tub overlooking the race track. The restaurant and cocktail bar specialise in local produce, with two AA Rosettes the result.

For a Countryside Escape

• Langshott Manor is a 16th century manor house, quintessentially English-looking, with its heavy oak beams, patterned red brick, pitched roofs and many chimneys. It sounds as if it should be in the deepest countryside, but it’s only ten minutes from Gatwick, set in three acres of its own gardens. The 22 rooms and suites offer lots of charm and original features - sleep in a four-poster bed if you fancy it! and in winter it’s all cosily heated with open fires.

For Great Value

• The Angel Hotel is an historic inn on Guildford High Street, which is the very heart of town. The pub bit has now closed, making space for more rooms, and now there are 22, ranging in size and style, but all traditionally decorated, but with contemporary comforts and simplicity. Though if you fancy a four-poster bed you can book a room with one. Breakfast is complimentary.
• The Running Horses is a coaching inn dating from the 16th century, located just outside of Dorking, and close to Box Hill. The pub bit of the inn is now a gastropub, with a rustically traditional British menu, and a wood panelled dining room and snugs. Above the pub are five rooms, decorated with country style and a grey and cream colour palette.

Best B&Bs

• April House is a chic, three room B&B just off Weybridge’s High Street. The decor is homely, with a simple, country-contemporary feel, and a calming colour scheme. A continental breakfast is served in-room.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Surrey?

• Surrey is well served by London’s airports, one of the ways is via excellent rail links from London Waterloo. Heathrow is probably the closest airport, but Gatwick, London City Airport, and Stansted Airport, are also worth considering if you’re arriving by plane. If you're driving, the M25, M23 and M3 all run through Surrey whilst the A3 offers a fast route directly to London.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Surrey is a year round destination, but the countryside bits are arguably at their best on a crisp, sunny day, which could happen any time between about March and October. Whenever you visit, play it safe and bring rain gear.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could refine your search to just the best places to stay in Guildford? Weybridge? Chiddingfold?
• or you could consider the best places to stay for the South Downs? or the North Downs?
• Or you could refine your search by the kind of accommodation you’re looking for? and consider just the most romantic hotels in Surrey? or Surrey’s best pubs-with-rooms? or Surrey’s most luxurious hotels?
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

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