Surrey

Whether your a local who just can&#8217;t get enough of Surrey&#8217;s stunning local sights, or your a DFL (that&#8217;s down from London) &#8211; a new guide from Silent Pool Gin has you sorted for the best places to eat, drink, stay and visit in this beautiful corner of the Surrey Hills.



As well as the hotels to rest your head, and pubs and cafés to visit, the guide also features a circular countryside walk that starts and ends at the distillery. The walk takes in local woodland, an ancient Saxon church and the pretty village of Shere, location of many a Hollywood film.



We won&#8217;t give it all away &#8211; pop into the distillery to pick up the guide &#8211; but here are some highlights.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-to-stay">Where to stay</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/7/2025/10/Barnett-Hill-Ground-Floor-Corridor.jpg" alt="The ground floor corridor at Barnett Hill Hotel in Wonersh near Guildford, Surrey." class="wp-image-62149" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Barnett-Hill-Ground-Floor-Corridor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Barnett-Hill-Ground-Floor-Corridor-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Barnett-Hill-Ground-Floor-Corridor-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Barnett-Hill-Ground-Floor-Corridor-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Barnett-Hill-Ground-Floor-Corridor-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



There are some fabulous places to stay in the Surrey Hills &#8211; from cosy country pubs to country houses with fabulous grounds and gardens. <a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/hotels-inns/review-barnett-hill-near-guildford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barnett Hill Hotel</a> in Wonersh, a few miles from Guildford, is one of our top choices. It&#8217;s a four-star hotel with all the hallmarks of a classic luxury hotel, but without any of the stuffiness.&nbsp;Dogs and children are very welcome. And if you fancy a bit of spa indulgence, there&#8217;s a lovely menu of Utopia spa treatments. 



Another Muddy favourite is <a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/hotels-inns/review-wotton-house-hotel-near-dorking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wotton House Hotel</a>, a beautiful 17th century mansion house just outside Dorking in the heart of the Surrey Hills. Once the home of the Evelyn family, the hotel sits in 13 acres of stunning Grade II-listed Italianate gardens. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-to-eat">Where to eat</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/7/2024/11/Gomshall-Mill-0044.jpg" alt="The Gomshall Mill gastropub near Guildford in Surrey." class="wp-image-57383" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/11/Gomshall-Mill-0044.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/11/Gomshall-Mill-0044-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/11/Gomshall-Mill-0044-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/11/Gomshall-Mill-0044-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/11/Gomshall-Mill-0044-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Gomshall Mill.</figcaption></figure>



What&#8217;s your fancy? From cute cafés with tea and cake to gorgeous gastropubs and Michelin-starred dining &#8211; there&#8217;s something for all occasions. <a href="https://www.hillysteashop.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hilly&#8217;s Teashop</a> in Shere is a family-run you&#8217;ll find homemade scones, cakes and light lunches every day. On a Friday evening, it transforms into Shere&#8217;s only speakeasy, offering crafted cocktails and pizza. 



For a great pub, you&#8217;re spoiled for choice in the Surrey Hills. The 2025 Muddy award-winner for Best Destination Pub, <a href="https://www.thewilliamivpub.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The William IV</a> is a 16th century classic in Albury. Headed up by chef Luke Spier &#8211; formerly of the Michelin-starred Clock House in Ripley &#8211; you can expect excellent food with many of the ingredients coming from local farms and gardens. Another good choice, for great gastropub menus and a quirky vibe is <a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/review-the-gomshall-mill-near-guildford-dorking-surrey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Gomshall Mill</a>. It&#8217;s a 17th-century watermill-turned-pub with fab food and gorgeously rustic interiors and a lovely garden in the summer months. What&#8217;s not to love?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-places-to-visit">Places to visit</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="667" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/09/Silent-Pool-Cocktail-02-667x1000.jpg" alt="Silent Pool gin cocktails" class="wp-image-61846" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/09/Silent-Pool-Cocktail-02-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/09/Silent-Pool-Cocktail-02-534x800.jpg 534w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/09/Silent-Pool-Cocktail-02-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/09/Silent-Pool-Cocktail-02-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/09/Silent-Pool-Cocktail-02-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/09/Silent-Pool-Cocktail-02-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/09/Silent-Pool-Cocktail-02.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /></figure>



First on your list should be the <a href="https://silentpooldistillers.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopxQpaSGsRqpfYvMJf7LPiOOMX_873T6xUHXaK1kYpEKafG9Dfa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Silent Pool Distillery</a> &#8211; which offers distillery tours and experiences. The <a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/silent-pool-distillery-tour-surrey-hills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">distillery tour</a> (and tasting!) offers a wonderful insight into all things Silent Pool Gin from the originals to the makings. For those looking to perfect their gin martini, the <a href="https://silentpooldistillers.com/products/the-ultimate-martini-masterclass" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Silent Pool Martini Masterclass</a> will give you all the insider tips and tricks. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1501" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-36-LS.jpg" alt="A walk from Silent Pool Distillery through the Surrey Hills." class="wp-image-62150" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-36-LS.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-36-LS-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-36-LS-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-36-LS-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-36-LS-768x769.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-36-LS-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-36-LS-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



There&#8217;s also a wonderful 6.5km circular walk from the distillery taking in several historical points along the way including Albury Old Saxon Church, an ancient stone church set among trees, wildflowers and parklands, and the 12th-century St James&#8217; Church in Shere, which was featured in both Hollywood films The Holiday and Bridget Jones&#8217;s Diary. Pick up a map at the distillery. 



<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/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-Shere-52-LS.jpg" alt="The village of Shere in the Surrey Hills." class="wp-image-62151" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-Shere-52-LS.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-Shere-52-LS-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-Shere-52-LS-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-Shere-52-LS-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-Shere-52-LS-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-Shere-52-LS-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/10/Silent-Pool-Walk-Shere-52-LS-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The idyllic, quintessential English village &#8211; Shere.</figcaption></figure>



Shere is one of Surrey&#8217;s prettiest villages &#8211; so it&#8217;s no wonder Hollywood and film producers love it as much as we do. The Holiday and Bridget Jones&#8217;s Diary have already been mentioned, but there are others too including rom-coms The Wedding Date and Four, Weddings and a Funeral, plus The Mummy and Beauty and the Beast. It&#8217;s a quintessential English village with cute teashops, timber-framed buildings, babbling stream and historic church. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-761-1000x667.jpeg" alt="National Trust venue Polesden Lacey near Dorking in Surrey." class="wp-image-41134" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-761-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-761-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-761-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-761-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-761-787x525.jpeg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/07/Polesden-Lacey-AE-761.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Polesden Lacey</figcaption></figure>



The Surrey Hills are also home to several National Trust venues &#8211; all worthy of a visit. <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/polesden-lacey">Polesden Lacey</a> in Little Bookham, is the biggie. It&#8217;s set on a 1,400-acre estate with walks aplenty as well as a pretty Edwardian manor house you can tour. There&#8217;s also <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/hatchlands-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hatchlands Park</a> a classic country house set within 400 acres of parkland in Clandon, and <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/winkworth-arboretum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winkworth Arboretum</a> near Godalming, which is particularly stunning in the autumn. <a href="https://westhorsleyplace.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Horsley Place</a>, a medieval manor house, and location for the BBC&#8217;s Ghosts, is also worth a visit.



<a href="https://silentpooldistillers.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Silent Pool Distillery</a>, Shere Road, Albury, Surrey, GU5 9BW



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



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A stonkingly good day out in the Surrey Hills

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