Surrey


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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Annie-Ivy-2026-AE.jpeg" alt="Annie and Ivy at Wotton House in Surrey." class="wp-image-65947" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Annie-Ivy-2026-AE.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Annie-Ivy-2026-AE-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Annie-Ivy-2026-AE-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Annie-Ivy-2026-AE-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Annie-Ivy-2026-AE-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If your dog had a bucket list, <a href="https://wottonhouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Wotton House Hotel</strong></a>&nbsp; might well be on it. Tucked away just outside Dorking on the Guildford Road, this handsome 17th-century manor house sits in one of Surrey’s prettiest corners, surrounded by rolling countryside, leafy footpaths and enough walking routes to keep even the most energetic four-legged companion happy.</p>



<p>The approach sets the tone. A long sweeping driveway winds through a grand walled entrance before revealing the mansion house and 13 acres of grounds. </p>



<p>The estate was once home to the Evelyn family, including horticulturalist John Evelyn, who designed England&#8217;s first Italian gardens here. Complete with Roman temples, hidden grottos and gorgeous landscaping, they&#8217;re now Grade II listed. And yes, he&#8217;s also the Evelyn behind the name of botanical beauty brand Crabtree &amp; Evelyn.</p>



<p>But while there&#8217;s plenty of history here, this isn&#8217;t a dusty country-house museum. Wotton House is all about countryside escapes &#8211; and, happily for dog owners, muddy paws are very much welcome.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</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/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-house-and-gardens-credit-Hayley-Bray.jpg" alt="Wotton House Hotel and gardens" class="wp-image-65945" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-house-and-gardens-credit-Hayley-Bray.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-house-and-gardens-credit-Hayley-Bray-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-house-and-gardens-credit-Hayley-Bray-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-house-and-gardens-credit-Hayley-Bray-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-house-and-gardens-credit-Hayley-Bray-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This is country-house elegance with its collar loosened a notch. It&#8217;s looks super grand from the outside but you don&#8217;t feel like you need to whisper once you&#8217;re through the door &#8211; or leave the dog at home.</p>



<p>Just inside the grand oak entrance, you&#8217;ll find a collection of Hunter wellies ready for guests to borrow, along with a basket of sticks for pooch. A thoughtful touch that says: yes, the gardens and grounds and grounds are gorgeous, and yes, you absolutely should explore them.</p>



<p>Inside, it&#8217;s all lofty ceilings, grand staircases, medieval archways and statement chandeliers, balanced by fun, quirky details. Think vintage clocks, heritage maps and curious artwork dotted throughout the hotel.</p>



<p>The dining room is a showstopper, centred around a magnificent olive tree. And better still, dogs are welcome in the evenings for dinner. Bag one of the mustard-yellow banquette seats wrapped around the tree and you&#8217;ll have one of the best tables in the house. Elsewhere, the former orangery has been transformed into a stylish bar (you can also eat here with your dog), while cosy lounges and sink-into armchairs are scattered throughout the property.</p>



<p>Wotton House is popular with wedding parties and corporate retreats, so there&#8217;s often a lively buzz about the place. But despite its size, it never feels overwhelming. And before you leave, make sure you sneak a peek inside the Gothic Old Library &#8211; it&#8217;s one of the most atmospheric corners of the hotel.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</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/7/2024/01/Wotton-House-restaurant.jpg" alt="The Ivy Suite at Wotton House Hotel near Dorking, Surrey." class="wp-image-51622" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/Wotton-House-restaurant.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/Wotton-House-restaurant-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/Wotton-House-restaurant-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/Wotton-House-restaurant-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/01/Wotton-House-restaurant-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The 1877 Restaurant &#8211; named after the year the house was built &#8211; is popular with both hotel guests and locals. The menu is reassuringly crowd-pleasing, with classic mains alongside dishes from the grill. Think fish and chips, burgers, steaks and whole baked seabass.</p>



<p>You might expect a place of this grandeur to feel a little stiff around the edges, but it&#8217;s anything but. Service is warm, attentive and professional, and best of all, there&#8217;s no rush.</p>



<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/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Bar-1000x667.jpg" alt="The bar at Wotton House hotel near Dorking in Surrey." class="wp-image-65946" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Bar-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Bar-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Bar-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Bar-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Bar.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dogs are very welcome in the bar at Wotton House.</figcaption></figure>



<p>We were here for a Saturday night staycation with the OH and my pampered pooches, Annie and Ivy. We were shown to a table for two tucked slightly to the side &#8211; perfect for my dogs who like to lounge while we dine. Once settled, our drink orders were taken (a bottle of house white, thanks), along with a bowl of water for the four-legged guests.</p>



<p>From there, things got underway nicely. To start, I went for <em>All the Cauliflower</em> &#8211; a light, inventive dish showcasing cauliflower five ways &#8211; while the other half chose the soup of the day, a gorgeously silky white bean number that disappeared in record time. For mains, the whole baked seabass was excellent: fresh, perfectly cooked and full of flavour. Across the table, the Wotton fish and chips also had the thumbs up.</p>



<p>Desserts were equally strong. The English pear pavlova, with marinated British berries, poached pear and Wotton elderflower syrup, was light, summery and not overly sweet. Meanwhile, the BBQ pineapple and muscovado sponge prompted a declaration from my OH that it was one of the best puddings he&#8217;d had in ages. Praise indeed.</p>



<p>And for the dogs? A dish of freshly cooked sausages each. I hope they don&#8217;t get used to this! </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Jasmine-AE-2026.jpeg" alt="Jasmine suite at Wotton House hotel near Dorking in Surrey." class="wp-image-65948" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Jasmine-AE-2026.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Jasmine-AE-2026-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Jasmine-AE-2026-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Jasmine-AE-2026-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Jasmine-AE-2026-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Wotton House has 127 rooms, ranging from standard and family options through to deluxe suites. The style throughout is soft and restful &#8211; think muted greys, greens and blues, softened by plaid fabrics and botanical prints that nod to the estate’s horticultural heritage.</p>



<p>I stayed in the Jasmine Suite &#8211; a lovely, light-filled space with armchairs, a Chesterfield sofa and sweeping views across the gardens.</p>



<p>The bed is absolutely huge and seriously comfortable, and Annie and Ivy were just as well looked after. They had their own dog beds waiting, plus a welcome hamper: treats for each of them, luxe toiletries from The Paw Shed, a Good Boy Raggy toy and bandana each, and their own water bowls. </p>



<p>And then there&#8217;s the bathroom. Wow! With his-and-hers basins, a freestanding claw-foot bath and a walk-in shower, you&#8217;ll want to stay forever. As you’d expect, there are fluffy white towels, robes, slippers and swanky toiletries.</p>



<p>Guests also have access to a gym, indoor pool, steam room and tennis court, along with the wider 13-acre gardens for walks (and zoomies, if you’re a dog).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly"><strong>DOG-FRIENDLY</strong>?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1020" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Annie-Wotton-House-2026-AE.png" alt="Annie enjoying her dog-friendly stat at Wotton House near Dorking in Surrey." class="wp-image-65949" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Annie-Wotton-House-2026-AE.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Annie-Wotton-House-2026-AE-784x800.png 784w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Annie-Wotton-House-2026-AE-980x1000.png 980w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Annie-Wotton-House-2026-AE-392x400.png 392w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Annie-Wotton-House-2026-AE-768x783.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Yes! Wotton House is very dog-friendly, and it actually feels like they mean it rather than just tolerating muddy paws. Annie and Ivy were very much in their element.</p>



<p>Dogs can explore the grounds and gardens &#8211; no leads required. And for Annie and Ivy it was sniff, roam, repeat, with the occasional zoomie.  Inside, it’s leads on, and it goes without saying that they&#8217;re not to be left alone in the room.</p>



<p>As part of the Paws &amp; Relax escape, created with The Paw Shed, things become more spa-like than your average country house stay. Think a proper pampering products for your four-legged furries, including shampoo, conditioning treatments and a mud mask for some serious paw indulgence.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-kids-too">AND KIDS, TOO?</h2>



<p>Yes &#8211; 100%. The staff are genuinely lovely, and while the styling of the hotel feels quite grown-up, families are absolutely welcome. There are four dedicated family rooms, and plenty of space to spread out.</p>



<p>There isn’t a playground on site, but there is a tennis court, plus those 13 acres of grounds to roam. Or you can tire little people with a swim in the indoor pool.</p>



<p>The restaurant does lean more grown-up in feel, but there is a children’s menu, and there were families dining comfortably during my stay. Breakfast is where things really come into their own though &#8211; the buffet is super generous, so little ones can absolutely fill their boots before a day of adventuring.</p>



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



<p>Wotton House has a number of wheelchair-accessible rooms, along with wet rooms and step-free access to key public areas including the restaurant, bar and morning rooms. The leisure facilities are also accessible via lift, making it a generally well-thought-out setup for guests with mobility needs.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Annie-Ivy-2026-AE.jpeg" alt="Annie and Ivy at Wotton House in Surrey." class="wp-image-65947" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Annie-Ivy-2026-AE.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Annie-Ivy-2026-AE-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Annie-Ivy-2026-AE-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Annie-Ivy-2026-AE-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Annie-Ivy-2026-AE-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There are 13 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens right on the doorstep at Wotton House, which is perfect for a gentle post-breakfast wander (dogs very much included and in their element here). If you fancy stretching things further, Leith Hill and Box Hill are both nearby for more energetic climbs and those classic Surrey views that seem to go on forever.</p>



<p>The hotel also provides handy cycling and <a href="https://wottonhouse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Wotton-House-walking-map_final2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking maps</a> if you want to explore the local area properly with your four-legged sidekick in tow. After breakfast the next morning, we headed out with Annie and Ivy on a circular walk taking in the Tillingbourne Waterfalls and Friday Street Mill Pond, with a very civilised bonus of two pub stops along the way &#8211; The Abinger Hatch and The Wotton Hatch &#8211; both happily dog-friendly and very much part of the appeal.</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="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Amber-dogs-2026-AE.jpeg" alt="Amber, Annie and Ivy at Wotton House in Surrey." class="wp-image-65950" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Amber-dogs-2026-AE.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Amber-dogs-2026-AE-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Amber-dogs-2026-AE-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Amber-dogs-2026-AE-300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Amber-dogs-2026-AE-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Wotton-House-Amber-dogs-2026-AE-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Wotton House is great for dog-friendly getaways &#8211; where your four-legged sidekick is as welcome as you are. Think relaxed countryside stays, gentle (or more ambitious) Surrey Hills walks straight from the door, and easy mini-breaks for couples, friends or families who don’t want to leave the dog behind. Ideal if your idea of luxury includes muddy paws, pub stops and a very content snoozing hound at your feet.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Spa obsessives or anyone expecting full pamper-palace vibes &#8211; there’s a gym, pool and hot tub, but this isn’t really a mani-pedi-and-massage kind of place.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong>&nbsp;Prices start from £105 a night, based on two people sharing a standard room. Junior and Premium suites are more. Dogs are £30 each for the first night, and £10 each thereafter. In the restaurant, starters are £7-12; mains are £13-£32 and desserts are £9-£15, and the pup menu is £2-£5.</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://wottonhouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wotton House Hotel</a>, Guildford Road, Dorking RH5 6HS. Tel: 01306 855 483.</em></strong></p>



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Review: Paws & Relax at Wotton House Hotel, Dorking

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