Surrey


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where"><strong>WHAT? WHERE?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/10/Merry-Harriers-garden-flowers.jpg" alt="The Merry Harriers in Hambledon, Surrey" class="wp-image-35625" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/10/Merry-Harriers-garden-flowers.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/10/Merry-Harriers-garden-flowers-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/10/Merry-Harriers-garden-flowers-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/10/Merry-Harriers-garden-flowers-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/10/Merry-Harriers-garden-flowers-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/10/Merry-Harriers-garden-flowers-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://merryharriers.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Merry Harriers</a> is a traditional pub in the small pretty village of Hambledon, near Godalming. It feels like a million miles from anywhere with views out over fields and woodlands, but it’s an easy drive to the A3. Witley and Milford railway stations, with direct services to London Waterloo, are also just a few&nbsp;miles away.</p>



<p>There’s not much to Hambledon, and if you arrive at The Merry Harriers from the north you may only come across the pub. But there’s also a church,&nbsp;village hall and the Hambledon Village Shop, a&nbsp;community-run&nbsp;cafe and shop where you’ll find a selection of local produce and artisan food, wine and spirits, and great baked goodies.</p>



<p>Next door to the pub, there’s a creative hub called Coal Yard Creatives a collective of artisan producers that includes the Village Spirit Collective gin distillery as well as a jeweller, artisan cake maker, art studio, carpenter and upholsterer among others.</p>



<p>The pub was formerly owned by the late Peter De Savary, the multi-millionaire hotelier and former chairman of Millwall Football Club. But it reopened in spring 2023 under the ownership of a young local duo, Alex Winch and Sam Fiddian-Green who also own <a href="https://www.hilltop-kitchen.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hilltop Kitchen</a>, a super popular café near Godalming that champions a farm-to-fork menu.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe"><strong>THE VIBE</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Bar-2-high-res-CREDIT-Boz-Gagovski.jpg" alt="The Merry Harriers in Hambledon, near Godalming in Surrey." class="wp-image-55330" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Bar-2-high-res-CREDIT-Boz-Gagovski.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Bar-2-high-res-CREDIT-Boz-Gagovski-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Bar-2-high-res-CREDIT-Boz-Gagovski-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Bar-2-high-res-CREDIT-Boz-Gagovski-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Bar-2-high-res-CREDIT-Boz-Gagovski-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The Merry Harriers is very much a local village pub, but it also attracts a steady stream of weekenders coming from London or further afield to bask in the beauty of the Surrey Hills.</p>



<p>After a spruce-up last autumn the pub is looking exceptionally spiffy. There&#8217;s a gorgeous rustic vibe that makes the most of the history and character. Interiors are by design team Hutley &amp; Humm &#8211; and it&#8217;s pitch perfect. Rooms are colour-drenched in earthy tones, there&#8217;s timber furniture that&#8217;s nicely in keeping with the history of the pub, and soft furnishings are in natural linens.  A bespoke bar has been created by local craftsman Joss Stoddart, brother-in-law of Sam. And elsewhere there&#8217;s plenty more family input &#8211; flowers, crockery, art&#8230; even the local produce and meat.</p>



<p>There&#8217;s a relaxed and laid-back feel to The Merry Harriers. The front door takes you directly into the bar, which in-turn leads through to the main split-level dining room. There&#8217;s also a cosy snug-come-private-dining-room. Outside, there&#8217;s a gorgeous terraced garden looking out over fields. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff"><strong>SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Dining-room-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop.jpg" alt="The Merry Harriers in Hambledon, Surrey." class="wp-image-55506" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Dining-room-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Dining-room-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Dining-room-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Dining-room-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Dining-room-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Dining-room-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Dining-room-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>While The Merry Harriers has taken a gorgeously stylish turn, it&#8217;s the food that has tongues wagging.</p>



<p>Between them, Alex and Sam have worked in top restaurants in London, Australia and Italy &#8211; Alex as a restaurant manager and sommelier, and Sam as a chef. But while they&#8217;ve brought a dash of star-studded swagger to Hambledon, at heart The Merry Harriers is very much a village pub. </p>



<p>The menu centres around seasonal produce from local farms and growers, as well as their own Hilltop Kitchen garden. Sam’s mother Henrietta provides the pork, beef and lamb from Wintershall Valley Farm &#8211; all butchered in-house by Sam. Fruit and veg comes from Sam&#8217;s sister, Goldie&#8217;s kitchen garden. A local deer stalker provides the venison, and the drinks menu offers a choice of local tipples including gin, rum, wine and beers. </p>



<p></p>



<p>The daily changing menu is tightly curated, but gloriously rustic and supports the farm-to-fork ethos of the Hilltop Kitchen. There&#8217;s not a burger in sight, although fish and chips feature loud and proud on Friday alongside dishes like Wintershall pork rump, herb-fed chicken, Chalk Stream trout, pan-roasted cod and courgette and basil risotto. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Trout-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull.jpg" alt="Food at The Merry Harriers in Hambledon, near Godalming in Surrey." class="wp-image-55337" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Trout-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Trout-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Trout-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Trout-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Trout-2-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>I started with the pickled sardines with Nutbourne tomatoes, watercress and dill (light and tangy with a lovely freshness) while Mr M went for the smoked mackerel pâté with pickled fennel and horseradish on a hot buttered crumpet (fresh and creamy with just the right amount of kick).</p>



<p>Given the provenance of the meat on this menu, I couldn&#8217;t pass up the Wintershall lamb &#8211; a sharing platter with roast rack of lamb, and a glazed shank, plus broccoli, grilled tomatoes, crispy potatoes, gravy and mint sauce. It proved an excellent choice &#8211; tt was sublime. Pudding was a knickerbocker glory and Eton mess which we shared. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay"><strong>STAY</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Bedroom-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull.jpg" alt="The Merry Harriers in Hambledon, near Godalming in Surrey." class="wp-image-55334" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Bedroom-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Bedroom-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Bedroom-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Bedroom-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/The-Merry-Harriers-Bedroom-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There are 15 bedrooms at The Merry Harriers &#8211; four upstairs in the main inn, six in a converted barn in the rear garden, and five shepherds’ huts across the road. The bedrooms are all elegantly turned out, continuing the earthy colour-drenching theme of downstairs. </p>



<p>I stayed in Room 2, painted top-to-toe in a rustic autumnal brown with a linen headboard, blind and cosy sheepskin throw. It&#8217;s fully of character &#8211; walls are wonderfully wonky and I doubt a marble would sit still on the floor.</p>



<p>The bathroom is small, but perfectly formed. Who needs to swing a cat anyway, eh? And what it lacks in size, it makes up for with the gorgeously luxe Wildsmith Skin products. Breathe deep &#8211; they&#8217;re incredible. </p>



<p>Breakfast is from 8.30am-10am, and offers the usual like a full English, eggs on toast and mushrooms on toast (with eggs of you like), plus porridge, sourdough toast, muesli and a selection of teas, juices and coffee. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kid-friendly"><strong>KID-FRIENDLY?&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1156" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/12/Merry-Harriers-Pt2-14.jpg" alt="A shepherd's hut at The Merry Harriers in Hambledon, Surrey." class="wp-image-29870" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/12/Merry-Harriers-Pt2-14.jpg 1156w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/12/Merry-Harriers-Pt2-14-300x173.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/12/Merry-Harriers-Pt2-14-720x415.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/12/Merry-Harriers-Pt2-14-150x87.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/12/Merry-Harriers-Pt2-14-768x443.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/12/Merry-Harriers-Pt2-14-900x519.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1156px) 100vw, 1156px" /></figure>



<p>Bedrooms and shepherd&#8217;s huts are for two, and it seems a shame to burst the bubble of tranquility and calm by bringing kids. Having said that, kids are welcome (as are dogs). And they&#8217;ll love the swings in the pub garden (the kids, that is!).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-dogs-too"><strong>AND DOGS, TOO?</strong></h2>



<p>Yes, welcomed and loved. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disability-access"><strong>DISABILITY ACCESS</strong></h2>



<p>It&#8217;s an ancient pub that wasn&#8217;t built with accessibility in mind, so wheelchair users will struggle. There&#8217;s no lift access upstairs, and the front entrance is via several steps.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about"><strong>OUT &amp; ABOUT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="574" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Ramster-Gardens.jpeg" alt="Ramster Gardens" class="wp-image-28374" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Ramster-Gardens.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Ramster-Gardens-300x172.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Ramster-Gardens-720x413.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Ramster-Gardens-150x86.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Ramster-Gardens-768x441.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Ramster-Gardens-900x517.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ramster House and Gardens.</figcaption></figure>



<p>There’s plenty of walking in the area. Both the Greensand Way and  the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offer miles of walking and cycling trails. Winkworth Arboretum is just down the road in Hascombe, and Hydon’s Ball and Heath (both National Trust) is also nearby. Oakhurst Cottage (also NT) and Ramster House and Gardens (check opening times, it’s not open all year round) are also close by. Guildford, Godalming and Haslemere are also a short distance away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Record-room-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop.jpg" alt="The Merry Harriers in Hambledon, Surrey." class="wp-image-55507" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Record-room-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Record-room-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Record-room-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Record-room-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Record-room-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Record-room-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/08/The-Merry-Harriers-Record-room-CREDIT-Kira-Turnbull-crop-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Photo credit: Kira Turnbull</em></figcaption></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Foodies are going to love this pub, and the daily changing menu will have you coming back for more. It&#8217;s a great spot for a romantic getaway, or for anyone who&nbsp;needs to disconnect and unplug for a while. It would work really well for family gatherings, groups of friends or couples eating out. </p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> The food here is something special, so it may not appeal to those seeking typical pub grub like burgers.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> Starters around £10-£12; mains £17-25, sharing platters from £35-£90 for two, puddings around £9. Rooms are from £120 a night for two sharing, including breakfast.</p>



<p><em>The Merry Harriers, Hambledon Road, Hambledon, GU8 4DR. Tel:&nbsp;01428 682883.&nbsp;<a href="https://merryharriers.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">merryharriers.com</a></em></p>


Muddy stays: The Merry Harriers, Hambledon

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