Wotton House Hotel – A mini getaway in the Surrey Hills
If you live in the UK anywhere further north than the Midlands, you’ll appreciate what I mean when I say going down south can be a “bit of a trek”! Sometimes, the travelling part of travel, i.e. the actual ‘getting there’ can be somewhat stressful, so I was relieved to have the opportunity to stop of at the charming Wotton House Hotel in Surrey en-route to Southampton for our upcoming Norwegian cruise.
Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Surrey countryside, Wotton House Hotel is a true gem. This historic hotel, with its stunning gardens and rich heritage, offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, making it a perfect place to stop and recharge before continuing with the long drive from Cheshire to Southampton. Promising to be a destination within itself, I was excited to explore the Estate for myself.
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Where is Wotton House Hotel?
Wotton House Hotel is located in the village of Wotton, in the heart of the Surrey countryside. The village itself is small but picturesque, with a church, a pub, and a scattering of historic houses. The hotel is surrounded by rolling hills, lush greenery, and quiet country lanes, making it a perfect destination all on it’s own for a quiet retreat or staycation.
One of the main draws of the area is its natural beauty. The Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are a short drive from the hotel and offer miles of walking and cycling routes. Box Hill, a famous National Trust site and beauty spot in the area, is also within easy reach and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
How to get to Wotton House Hotel
If you are travelling by car, Wotton House Hotel is fairly well-connected. The hotel is just a few miles from the M25, making it easy to reach from London and other parts of the UK.
There are also several train stations within easy reach, including Dorking and Guildford, which offer regular services to London and other parts of the country.
If you are travelling in by train, we found arranging a local taxi with the hotel to be fairly straightforward too.
About Wotton House Hotel – a destination steeped in history
Wotton House Hotel has a fascinating history that spans several centuries. The property was originally owned by the Evelyn family in the 17th century before being sold to Sir John Wittewronge in the 18th century. During this time, many of the features that are still present today, such as the grand staircase and ornate plasterwork, were added.
In the 19th century, the property was used as a private boarding school for boys before being repurposed during World War II as a base for American soldiers. After the war, the property was used as a conference center and training facility for several years.
In the 1980s, the property was purchased by the DeVere hotel group and underwent a major renovation. The hotel was transformed into a luxurious country house hotel, with 111 guest rooms, extensive grounds, and a range of modern amenities.
You can learn more about the history of Wotton House Hotel in this booklet available on the hotel’s website here.
Today, Wotton House Hotel is a popular destination for weddings, events, and holidays. The hotel has retained many of its historic features, including the grand staircase, ornate plasterwork, and original fireplaces, while also offering guests all the modern comforts and conveniences they could need.
I particularly loved the architecture in the Old Library room, which is a popular space for weddings at the hotel.
Arrival and check in
Upon arrival at Wotton House Hotel, we were immediately struck by the grandeur of the property. After weaving through some very scenic country roads, mostly following behind a gorgeous classic car that really helped to set the scene, we eventually turned into the driveway leading up to the hotel. The driveway is lined with tall trees, which lead up to the walled entrance to the very impressive Wotton House Estate.
We arrived a little early for check-in, but were warmly greeted by the reception staff nonetheless. We’d booked to do the distillery tour at Silent Pool Gin Distillery shortly after our arrival, and knowing that a few gin samples would be involved, needed help arranging a taxi from the hotel. Thankfully the reception team were on hand and quickly arranged a local, trusted taxi driver to pick us up and bring us back late in the afternoon, which was really helpful!
The rooms at Wotton House Hotel
We stayed in the Primula room, one of the junior suites at Wotton House. The room was spacious, comfortable, and elegantly decorated in a modern but cosy country-house style, with the high ceilings, large windows, and plush furnishings giving the room a luxurious feel.
I also really appreciated the thoughtful touches such as the welcome card, locally produced honey, complimentary bottle of wine and tea and coffee-making facilities.
A good night’s rest
One of my favourite features of the room was the HUGE bed. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a bed this wide in a hotel room before, I think if I were to roll across it, I’d probably get at least four full spins in!
As well as being incredibly spacious, it was also super comfortable and made for a great night’s sleep – exactly what I was hoping for after a long day on the road.
The bathroom
The bathroom in the Primula room didn’t disappoint either, with ample space for a spot of pampering and relaxation without ever needing to leave your hotel room.
A mini spa retreat
The bathroom features a luxurious bathtub and a separate walk-in shower, as well as a heated towel rail and a range of toiletries from Antipodes. Soft towels and robes are also provided, adding an extra touch of comfort and luxury.
Spending the morning whiling away in a hot bubble bath with the light from the gardens and sound of the birds coming through from outside was the ideal way to decompress.
Dining at the Wotton House Hotel
The 1877 restaurant is named after the year that Wotton House was built and offers a stylish and elegant dining experience. The menu features a range of contemporary British dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients, and the wine list is carefully curated to complement each dish.
Despite its historic roots, the decor of the restaurant was modern and inviting, with contemporary furnishing, warm lighting and even an olive tree in the centre of the restaurant providing a lovely focal point.
Dinner at the 1877 restaurant
We had an evening meal at the 1877 restaurant as part of our stay and overall I was really impressed with the quality of the food.
The menu at 1877 Restaurant is carefully crafted to showcase the best of British cuisine, with a focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Whilst there wasn’t a huge choice of dishes to pick from, I felt that the refined menu definitely offered something for everyone, and I still had a hard time choosing which dish I wanted to try most (if only we had two stomachs?!).
Snacks and nibbles
We were pretty hungry after an early start and a long day of travelling, so opted for some nibbles to get things started. We ordered the sourdough and the smoked almonds. The butter for the sourdough bread would have benefitted from being a little warmer for spreading purposes, but the smoked almonds were fantastically flavourful, and very moreish!
Cocktails
After spotting the ‘John Evelyn’ cocktail on the drinks menu, my interest had been piqued! The cocktail is a blend of ingredients designed to capture the essence of the hotel and its surroundings and features Silent Pool Gin, Italian vermouth, Angostura, and elderflower tonic. It was a nice refreshing long drink, and I’d definitely order it again.
Starter
For my starter I chose the smoked duck, which was served with a filo and pak choi spring roll, and a plum sauce. I enjoyed the blend of flavours in this dish, but felt it needed a little more sauce to balance out the crispiness of the spring roll element. I had slight food envy over Matt’s goats’ cheese starter, so I’d probably opt for that next time.
Main
For my main I had the chicken, which was served with pumpkin, black cabbage, soy and seed granola. This was the real stand out dish of the meal for me, the chicken was cooked perfectly and the flavours of the pumpkin and soy complemented each other fantastically, with a lovely bit of crunch from the granola to round things off!
Dessert
If you’ve been to my blog or Instagram before, you’ll know by now that I can rarely turn down a cheese board on a dessert menu, and the 1877 menu was no exception!
The cheeseboard featured a selection of British cheeses alongside some quince jelly/chutney and artisan crackers. The blue cheese was particularly good, the only thing that was perhaps lacking here was a few grapes or maybe some crudités.
Breakfast at the 1877 restaurant
Breakfast at Wotton House Hotel is also served in the 1877 Restaurant and is a wonderful way to start a day of exploring the Estate and beyond.
The buffet-style breakfast featured a range of delicious options, from classic English breakfast items like bacon, eggs, and sausage, to lighter options like fruit and yogurt. Vegetarian, vegan and free-from options are also available
The quality of the ingredients is evident in every dish. I particularly enjoyed the Greek yoghurt that was so thick I could stand my spoon up in it! It was delicious with a little bit of berry compote poured on top.
Walks around Wotton House Hotel – The historic grounds and beyond
One of the standout features of Wotton House Hotel is its stunning gardens. We spent an afternoon strolling through the extensive grounds, which are beautifully maintained and provide a peaceful escape from the world outside.
From the hotel reception you can pick up a map with several walking trails for both the Wotton House Estate and also the surrounding area. I’d definitely recommend that you take some time to explore the stunning scenery and gardens around the hotel. You may even spot one of the pheasants that call the Estate home on your journey.
The gardens at Wotton House Hotel are simply stunning, and walking around them is certainly a highlight of my stay at the Estate.
The 13-acre grounds feature a range of different gardens, each with its own unique character and beauty. The Italian Gardens are particularly impressive, with symmetrical parterres, ornate fountains, and pillared temple.
The sprawling lawns, tranquil ponds, and colorful flowers (we were lucky enough to be in daffodil season), provide ample opportunities for leisurely strolls and relaxation. You can also venture further afield to explore the nearby Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with miles of picturesque walking trails.
Other amenities on site
Wotton House Hotel offers a wide range of amenities and facilities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay. In addition to the beautifully manicured gardens, the hotel features:
As well as the elegant 1877 Restaurant (see above), there is also the 1877 Bar, where you can find drinks and lighter bites and snacks from midday until late evening.
How to book a stay at Wotton House Hotel
Booking a relaxing stay of your own at Wotton House Hotel is easy to do directly through the hotel’s website here. You can also explore a range of offers and packages to get the most out of your break.
If you prefer booking through Booking.com, simply pop your dates into the search box below:
Things to do nearby in Surrey
There are plenty of things to do in the surrounding area of Wotton House Hotel.
One thing I’d definitely recommend doing (especially on a rainy day) is the Silent Pool Gin distillery tour, located just a short drive away. This award-winning distillery offers tours and tastings, where you can learn about the history and process of making gin, and sample some of their delicious products.
For those interested in history, Guildford Castle is also worth a visit. Dating back to the 12th century, the castle features stunning gardens and impressive architecture, as well as a museum with exhibits on local history.
The nearby Surrey Hills offer plenty of opportunities for hiking and cycling, with scenic trails that wind through the rolling hills and picturesque villages. The charming town of Dorking, with its antique shops and independent boutiques, is also worth a visit.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply some retail therapy, there is plenty to do in the area surrounding Wotton House Hotel.
Review of Wotton House Hotel – Final thoughts
Overall, we really enjoyed our short stay at Wotton House Hotel, and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for a peaceful retreat in the heart of Surrey.
Perfectly situated within easy reach of some of Surrey’s best attractions, whether you’re looking to relax and unwind or explore the surrounding area, the history and romance of the Estate is sure to leave anyone feeling renewed and inspired.
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