Surrey


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Roz-Morris.jpeg" alt="Author Roz Morris" class="wp-image-63796" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Roz-Morris.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Roz-Morris-800x800.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Roz-Morris-400x400.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Roz-Morris-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Roz-Morris-500x500.jpeg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Roz Morris is the award-winning novelist behind over 4 million books worldwide &#8211; although you won&#8217;t always see her name on the cover. She often ghostwrites for big-name authors (so big, in fact, she couldn’t possibly drop any names!).</p>



<p>Now the Bookham-based author is back with her latest memoir, <em>Turn Right At The Rainbow</em>. A follow-up to her 2017 debut, <em>Not Quite Lost: Travels Without a Sense of Direction</em>, this new book shifts from travel to relocation, chronicling her move from London to Surrey. It’s a witty, insightful look at house hunting, daily life, and her favourite local haunts – from scenic rides and historic walks to cosy cafés and charming restaurants. Perfect for anyone whose guilty pleasure is scrolling Rightmove. And let’s be honest, that’s all of us.</p>



<p>We caught up with Roz to hear about her house-hunting adventures and her favourite Surrey spots to shop, eat, drink, and wander – because, well… we’re a little nosey like that.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-roz-what-made-you-finally-pack-up-london-and-move-to-surrey"><em>So, Roz… what made you finally pack up London and move to Surrey?</em></h3>



<p>We wanted less city and more space! My beloved horse Val is at a livery yard in Great Bookham and I was spending so much time there it seemed a natural next step.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surrey-s-not-small-where-do-you-even-start-looking-for-a-house"><strong><em>Surrey&#8217;s not small&#8230; where do you even start looking for a house?</em></strong></h3>



<p>We looked at areas around the Surrey Hills &#8230; Bookham, Shere, Dorking (where my husband grew up), and Horsley. The area around <a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/polesden-lacey-great-bookham/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Polesden Lacey</a> is so beautiful &#8211; it’s one of my happy places.</p>



<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/7/2026/01/Untitled-design-2.jpg" alt="Author Roz Morris on her horse " class="wp-image-63666" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Untitled-design-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Untitled-design-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Untitled-design-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Untitled-design-2-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Untitled-design-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Roz Morris on her horse, Val in the Surrey Hills.</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-honest-any-rightmove-guilty-pleasures"><em>Be honest… any Rightmove guilty pleasures?</em></h3>



<p>I just can’t help looking at beautiful but totally impractical properties! I love history and the stories behind houses and can’t resist a nose around something intriguing, even if I know in reality it wouldn’t work as a home. My husband is also terrible at encouraging me and always looks at hugely expensive properties in the hope they’ll take a cheeky offer!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-how-do-you-even-know-when-you-ve-found-the-one"><em>And how do you even know when you’ve found &#8216;the&#8217; one?</em></h3>



<p>We’ve had some adventures hunting and I look upon the houses rather like rom-com characters. There is always the looker, the one with excess baggage and one that&#8217;s all style over substance! There&#8217;s no doubt you get a feeling when you find the right place. It’s like falling in love.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-location-size-garden-what-actually-matters-most"><em>Location, size, garden? What actually matters most?</em></h3>



<p>Decide what are your non-negotiables and what you can be flexible on. There is no such thing as the perfect house. For me it’s all about light &#8211; and if there&#8217;s not enough windows can we easily add some? Funnily enough a huge garden isn’t top of my wish-list. I prefer to be outside and travelling, so I get my fix of nature from riding through the Surrey countryside.</p>



<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/7/2023/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-765.jpeg" alt="Polesden Lacey, Surrey" class="wp-image-48862" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-765.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-765-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-765-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-765-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-765-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-765-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The woods at Polesden Lacey</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-walk-or-hack-in-surrey"><strong><em>Favourite walk or hack in Surrey?</em></strong></h3>



<p>I love to follow ancient paths through the woods and imagine the feet that have trodden here before me and those that will come after. Ranmore Common is magical &#8211; I love the natural historic feel it has. You can get stunning views of Polesden and if you go at the right time hear owls and church bells. Its a very atmospheric spot.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-you-fit-in-cardio-when-you-d-rather-be-riding"><em>How do you fit in cardio when you’d rather be riding?</em></h3>



<p>Riding is my cardio! I also often run or walk after my ride &#8211; there’s nothing like a power walk up Box Hill to get the heart rate up. I’d much rather be outside breathing in nature than in a gym.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historic-houses-what-makes-your-heart-beat-faster"><em>Historic houses… what makes your heart beat faster?</em></h3>



<p>I’m fascinated by the story of <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/clandon-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clandon Park</a> just outside Guildford. The house is closed at the moment as there was a terrible fire 10 years ago. But the tragedy has opened up layers of history and you can now see many secrets revealed. Check their website to see when you can visit the 18<sup>th</sup> century building site and learn about it’s original construction.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Clandon-south-exterior-post-fire.jpg" alt="A rebuilt Clandon Park House, after a fire gutted it in 2015." class="wp-image-55615" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Clandon-south-exterior-post-fire.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Clandon-south-exterior-post-fire-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Clandon-south-exterior-post-fire-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Clandon-south-exterior-post-fire-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/09/Clandon-south-exterior-post-fire-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clandon Park</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-your-go-to-for-a-coffee-fix"><strong><em>And your go-to for a coffee fix?</em></strong></h3>



<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/carolinasbookham?igsh=NG43OW5uY3g2ODdi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carolina’s</a> in Great Bookham &#8211; they do my latte just the way I like it; dark beans and thick frothy milk. They also do some incredibly inventive cakes and the classics are also done really well.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-you-re-feeling-fancy-where-to-for-a-special-occasion-dinner"><em>When you&#8217;re feeling fancy? Where to for a special occasion dinner?</em></h3>



<p>I’ve had many happy birthdays and anniversaries at <a href="https://kinghams-restaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kinghams </a>in Shere. It’s in a wonderfully wonky old building and the ambiance is lovely. The menu is very refined with interesting twists. For a more regular night out we head to <a href="https://www.sirmadamthaiwestbyfleet.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sir &amp; Madam </a>in West Byfleet as I love Thai food &#8230; and they do it so well.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-you-cook-or-leave-it-to-the-pros"><strong><em>Do you cook &#8230; or leave it to the pros?</em></strong></h3>



<p>I love to cook and entertain at home. I adore exotic flavours inspired by travelling and like to cook meat with Persian and middle eastern flavours. I always serve on my eclectic collection of retro plates and cutlery (I’m an avid charity shopper &#8211; there are some great ones are in Cobham and Horsley!).</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosy-surrey-pub-for-a-roast"><strong><em>Cosy Surrey pub for a roast?</em></strong></h3>



<p>It’s just been renovated so I can’t wait to go back to the <a href="https://oldcrowngreatbookham.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Old Crown</a> at Great Bookham. They do the most immense baked Alaska &#8211; it&#8217;s worth the wait!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-the-secret-shop-you-rely-on"><strong><em>And the secret shop you rely on?</em></strong></h3>



<p>It’s not terribly exciting but if you really care about your shoes Neat &amp; Quick on Crabtree Lane in Great Bookham will save them! They are wizards at repair and have restored some of my favourite and more expensive riding boots.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="696" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Turn-Right-at-the-Rainbow-Roz-Morris-1000x696.jpg" alt="Roz Morris novel - Turn Right at the Rainbow." class="wp-image-63790" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Turn-Right-at-the-Rainbow-Roz-Morris-1000x696.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Turn-Right-at-the-Rainbow-Roz-Morris-800x557.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Turn-Right-at-the-Rainbow-Roz-Morris-400x278.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Turn-Right-at-the-Rainbow-Roz-Morris-768x534.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/01/Turn-Right-at-the-Rainbow-Roz-Morris.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><b>&#8216;</b><em style="font-weight: bold">Turn Right At The Rainbow: A Diary of Househunting, Happenstance &amp; Home</em><b>&#8216; by Roz Morris is published on 5 March 2026. </b><a href="https://books2read.com/rightrainbow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Pre-order copies here.</strong></a><b><strong> </strong>Roz Morris runs writer&#8217;s workshops and has written guides for would-be writers. </b><a style="font-weight: bold" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BGC6S9QM?binding=kindle_edition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">buy them here.</a></p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more">WANT MORE?</h2>



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From London to Surrey: Roz Morris on househunting, hidden gems and her new book

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