In the mood for a staycation? A picture-perfect pub with beautiful bedrooms and delicious food should hit the spot. Sophie Farrah checks in...
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The Merry Harriers, Hambledon, Surrey
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The Merry Harriers, Hambledon, Surrey
The Merry Harriers, Hambledon, Surrey
In the pretty village of Hambledon, near Godalming, this friendly pub has been recently taken over by locally born Alex Winch and Sam Fiddian-Green, who are also responsible for nearby foodie hotspot, Hilltop Kitchen.
They have preserved all the quirky charm of the 16th-century inn and elevated it with a modern, stylish colour palette, antique furniture and a refined menu that attracts foodies from far and wide.
Fifteen bedrooms are spread across the pub itself and a separate building that overlooks the garden, and there’s also a handful of shepherd’s huts arranged around a pond across the road.
Room 2 is the one to book with its soothing ochre walls, wooden beams, cosy sheepskins and grand linen pelmet above the bed, along with lovely touches such as Wildsmith toiletries and homemade shortbread.
When I visited, dinner dishes included buttery soft cured stone bass with truffle dressing, sea purslane and crispy shallots, and a perfect plate of Cornish cod and crisp potato terrine, with English asparagus and lobster velouté.
Breakfast is another gastronomic delight – especially the chilli scrambled eggs.
Rooms start at £140 B&B, merryharriers.com
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The Star, Alfriston, East Sussex
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The Star, Alfriston, East Sussex
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The Star, Alfriston, East Sussex
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The Star, Alfriston, East Sussex
The Star, Alfriston, East Sussex
The sense of history at The Star is palpable from the moment you cross its wonky threshold. Owned by hotel and design aficionados Olga and Alex Polizzi, its 29 elegant bedrooms are filled with fine art, sculpture, clashing colours and bold fabrics; there’s even a dedicated library for guests.
The Italian-inspired menu is served either in the restaurant, pub dining room or outside on the large Provencal-style terrace. There’s delicious handmade pasta on offer, alongside local fish and seafood, fresh salads and locally sourced meat. Don’t miss the tiramisu.
Rooms start at £260, thepolizzicollection.com/the-star
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Jake Eastham
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Jake Eastham
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Jake Eastham
The Village Pub, Barnsley, Cotswolds
This Grade II-listed 18th-century gem is the first pub for the PIG hotel group, and it’s been restored with all the design-centric PIG hotel style combined with the appeal of a cosy country pub.
Upstairs, there are six luxuriously furnished bedrooms, whilst the food menu offers a sense of refined nostalgia – an ode to hearty pub grub made with excellent ingredients, such as bangers and mash with onion gravy, bubble and squeak, and a very good Ploughman’s.
The ‘egg mayo with anchovies’ starter is simple, yet deliciously effective. Local beers, ciders, and an extensive wine list pair well with the pub’s fairy-lit beer garden.
Rooms start at £165 B&B, thevillagepub.co.uk
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Milly-Fletcher
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Sophie Duckworth Photography
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Sophie Duckworth Photography
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Sophie Duckworth Photography
The Stag on the River, Lower Eashing, Surrey
This historic waterside pub offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Dating from the 17th century, it has a pretty beer garden and a terrace which hangs over the River Wey.
The menu is brimming with fresh produce directly from local farmers and artisanal producers, with premium cuts of 28-day dry-aged meat cooked on a robata charcoal grill.
Upstairs, there are seven comfortable bedrooms, designed with a mix of old-world charm, modern patterns and pops of colour.
Rooms start at £120 B&B, stagontherivereashing.co.uk
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Justin de Souza
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Justin de Souza
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Justin de Souza
The Loch & The Tyne, Old Windsor
Serving pub classics with a ‘luxury approach’, Michelin-starred chef Adam Handling’s celebrated restaurant and pub is immersed in the beautiful countryside of Old Windsor.
Amongst dark wood and tartan banquettes (a nod to Handling’s Scottish roots), guests can dig into the likes of house-made hash browns with caviar, haggis Scotch egg, and bread served with sensational chicken butter.
Handling’s own label brut, made in Kent, and The Loch & the Tyne trifle are also both delicious, especially when enjoyed together. Upstairs, there are just two suites, both with freestanding baths and views over the gardens.
For an extra special touch, the pub can also arrange a classic car service for collection and drop off from in and around Old Windsor, as well as to and from London.
Rooms start at £250 B&B, lochandtyne.com
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Dean Hearne
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Dean Hearne
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Dean Hearne
The Swan Inn, Fittleworth, Surrey
Locally born restaurateur Angus Davies is the latest custodian of this 14th-century coaching inn, which has undergone an extensive two-and-a-half-year renovation.
Beneath the beams and slanting ceilings, Insta-worthy interiors offer a mix of bold colours, fine art and antique furniture. There are 12 beautifully designed bedrooms, with luxuries such as rolltop baths and Verden toiletries.
The food is unfussy, seasonal fare consisting of elevated classics, sharing plates and an excellent selection of snacks such as pickled St Austell mussels, lemon sole goujons and Serrano ham.
Rooms start at £180 B&B, swaninnfittleworth.com
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Coach & Horses Kew
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Coach & Horses Kew
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Coach & Horses Kew
The Coach & Horses, Kew
This handsome Georgian coaching inn is steeped in history and overlooks Kew Green, just moments from the Thames. There’s good pub grub on offer, as well as 31 botanical-inspired bedrooms – a nod to nearby Kew Gardens.
The Kings Arms, Egham
This small, but perfectly formed pub has six lovely bedrooms and a seasonal menu that focuses on pub classics with a twist.
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The Crown Inn, Chiddingfold
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The Crown Inn, Chiddingfold
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The Crown Inn, Chiddingfold
The Crown Inn, Chiddingfold
Nestled in a quiet corner of the village green, this historic Surrey inn has eight stylish bedrooms, some with four-poster beds. The food is award-winning and served either in the cosy bar or the elegant oak-panelled restaurant.
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The Percy Arms, Chilworth
In the heart of the Surrey Hills, this elegant country pub has several stylish bedrooms and a menu of modern British cuisine with a South African twist.
Hand & Spear
The Hand & Spear, Weybridge
The 12 bedrooms at this friendly Young’s pub have been recently refurbished and feel positively luxurious. Elevated pub grub is served all day, including a good Sunday roast.
