5 of the best places to stay in Surrey & Sussex
The Bull, Ditchling
The pretty-as-a-picture Sussex village of Ditchling is the perfect place for a cheeky mid-week break. The Bull is an olde-worlde pub (with six comfy bedrooms) and is surrounded by the rolling hills of the stunning Sussex Downs. Top of the must-see sights is climb-it-if-you-can Ditchling Beacon. This is a joy for any nature lovers, ramblers, or pup and kid laden holiday-ers.
But it’s not all countryside and greenery – oh no. The bustling seaside resort of Brighton & Hove is nearby too. A day-tripper’s paradise. And highlights include; Brighton Palace Pier, bustling bars and lively nightlife, and those greedy seagulls (hold tight to your chips).
The Bridge, Chertsey
Brilliant for dog and family friendly stays, this big-and-beautiful pub with rooms (perched on the banks of the River Thames) is grand if you are a muddy-boots and rucksacks kind of soul. Virginia Water is a short 15-mins drive away and its two-mile long lake is good for a stomp. During any season, there’s loads of loveliness there for you to see – including a rather impressive waterfall, known as The Cascade.
Work yourself up one of those could-eat-a-horse appetites and head back for some proper pub food and a riverside recharge. Then, retire to one of the 47 comfy (and recently renovated) bedrooms. Then slip on your silky PJ’s and hit the hay. Uber-comfy Hypnos beds (with piles of pillows) are the perfect place to dream of the next day’s adventures.
The Bear, Esher
Perhaps you prefer to settle-in and partake in a spot of self-care on your mini-break? Well, this Surrey stop-over spot is the one for you. The Bear’s cosy rooms are kitted out in hotel fashion (think super-stuffed honesty bars and posh coffee machines) so it would be quite easy to simply hunker down and make the most of these cool comforts during your stay.
Esher is a town-and-country sort of place and it really does have the best of both worlds. So, if you fancy heading out to explore the local area, you’ll be glad you did. It has all the hustle-and-bustle of a typical Surrey town on your doorstep, with plenty of outdoors-y things to do as well. Sort of ideal as a please-all for Great British holiday-ing.
Griffin Inn, Fletching
An old-timey country pub with 13 characterful rooms and a bar that’s always bustling with friendly locals. This pleasingly-pretty pub in Fletching, East Sussex is perfect for a quintessentially British weekend away in the countryside.
You’ll love the food (and the drinks), because dishes are bursting with loads of local loveliness. So you’ll get the whole 360 Sussex experience for your pub stay.
The garden has flabbergasting-ly fabulous panoramic views across the green green grass of the Sussex countryside (or the Sussex Serengeti as the locals call it). It’s without a doubt the best pub garden in Sussex and beyond. With plenty of space to spread out a blanket on the grass, or to tip-up to a table, this spot is spot-on for soaking up those sunshine-y summer vibes.
Worplesdon Place, Guildford
This stunner of a Surrey pub (with 29 rooms) is a good-looking location for a little R&R.
You’ll not need to venture very far to get that away-from-it-all feeling, as it’s home to the most beautiful, tree-lined gardens, and even a lake.
It’s a proper beauty-spot in its own right. Ideal for checking-in and chilling-out with a bottle of something scrumptious and a plate of something equally as tasty. It’s a dream for those who just fancy putting their feet up with a good book. With the feel-good factor of nature (quite literally) all around you.