This destination pub in the Surrey Hills is now under the ownership of local duo Alex Winch and Sam Fiddian-Green. Fans of Hilltop Kitchen, a café that champions a farm-to-fork menu, will already be familiar with this dynamic duo. It’s gained something of a cult fan following since opening in 2021.

Now though, Alex and Sam are bringing their expertise to The Merry Harriers. Between them they’ve worked in top restaurants in London, Australia and Italy. Lucky us!

The menu centres around locally grown and seasonal produce – gathered 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 where she breeds Oxford Sandy pigs, reared for their lean pork, as well as an impressive herd of Sussex Cattle, Wagyu and Sussex Cross cows. She also has the largest flock of Herdwick sheep in the south of England. And Sam butchers all of the meat in-house. It doesn’t get more local than that!

Like all great pubs though, there’s also a focus on drinks with a menu of locally brewed beers and a carefully curated wine list plus a cocktail list.

Inside, the pub has been spruced-up with interiors designed by design team Hutley & Humm. A bespoke bar has been created by local craftsman Joss Stoddart, and there’s a cosy snug-come-private-dining-room in addition to the main dining room.

They’ve stayed true to the heritage of the building, putting original features like exposed timber beams centre stage. Soft colour palettes mix with relaxed linens and tonal shades to create a relaxed and laid-back look.  Upstairs there are four individually designed ensuite bedrooms, plus another six dog-friendly bedrooms and five boutique shepherd’s huts.