Wotton House Hotel review: a historic retreat in the Surrey Hills

Looking for a country house stay in the Surrey Hills? This Wotton House Hotel review covers the rooms, dining, grounds and things to do nearby at this historic hotel with lovely gardens.

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If you live further north than the Midlands, you’ll know going down south can be a “bit of a trek”. We stopped at Wotton House Hotel in 2023 on the long drive from Cheshire to Southampton for a Norwegian cruise. It made a perfect place to recharge, but it’s a destination in its own right.

Disclaimer: Although I stayed at Wotton House Hotel on a PR trip, all experiences and opinions in this post are unbiased and 100% my own.

Where is Wotton House Hotel?

The hotel is in the small but pretty village of Wotton, with a church, a pub and a scattering of historic houses. Surrounded by rolling hills and quiet country lanes, it’s perfect for a quiet retreat or staycation.

The Surrey Hills are a short drive away, with miles of walking and cycling routes. Box Hill, a famous National Trust beauty spot, is within easy reach too.

How to get there

By car: it’s just a few miles from the M25, so it’s easy to reach from London and beyond.

By train: Dorking and Guildford stations are within easy reach, and we found arranging a local taxi through the hotel straightforward.

A hotel steeped in history

Wotton House has a fascinating history. The Evelyn family bought the estate in 1579, and diarist John Evelyn was born here in 1620. A fire in the 1870s led to a major restoration, completed in 1877. The Evelyns stopped living here in 1939, the Canadian Army used it in World War II, and it was a national fire training college from 1947 to 1981. It was later refurbished and reopened as a hotel. You can learn more on the hotel’s website.

Today it’s popular for weddings, events and holidays, with a grand staircase, ornate plasterwork and original fireplaces alongside modern comforts. I particularly loved the architecture in the Old Library.

Arrival and check-in

After weaving through scenic roads, mostly behind a gorgeous classic car that really set the scene, we turned into the tree-lined driveway and were immediately struck by the grandeur. We were early, but reception greeted us warmly. We’d booked a tour at Silent Pool Gin Distillery and, knowing samples would be involved, needed a taxi, which the team quickly arranged.

The rooms at Wotton House Hotel

We stayed in the Primula room, one of the junior suites. It was spacious and elegantly decorated in a modern but cosy country house style, with high ceilings, large windows and plush furnishings. I appreciated the welcome card, local honey, bottle of wine and tea and coffee facilities.

A good night’s rest

One of my favourite features was the HUGE bed. If I rolled across it, I reckon I’d get at least four full spins in. It was super comfortable too, exactly what I needed after a long day on the road.

The bathroom

The bathroom was a mini spa retreat, with plenty of space for some pampering.

There’s a luxurious bathtub, separate walk-in shower, heated towel rail and toiletries from Antipodes, plus soft towels and robes. A morning in a hot bubble bath, with birdsong drifting in, was the ideal way to decompress.

Dining at Wotton House Hotel

The 1877 restaurant, named after the year of the restoration, offers contemporary British dishes with locally sourced ingredients and a carefully chosen wine list. The decor is modern and inviting, with an olive tree in the centre of the room as a lovely focal point.

Dinner at the 1877 restaurant

I was really impressed with the food. There wasn’t a huge choice, but there was something for everyone, and I still struggled to choose. These dishes are from our visit, and menus change.

Snacks: we started with sourdough and smoked almonds. The butter would have benefited from being warmer, but the almonds were fantastically flavourful and very moreish.

Cocktails: the ‘John Evelyn’ blends Silent Pool Gin, Italian vermouth, Angostura and elderflower tonic. It was a refreshing long drink I’d order again.

Starter: smoked duck with a filo and pak choi spring roll and plum sauce. I enjoyed the flavours, but it needed a little more sauce, and I had slight food envy over Matt’s goats’ cheese.

Main: chicken with pumpkin, black cabbage, soy and seed granola was the standout. The chicken was cooked perfectly, the pumpkin and soy complemented each other, and the granola added a lovely crunch.

Dessert: I can rarely turn down a cheeseboard, and this had British cheeses with quince jelly and artisan crackers. The blue was particularly good, though a few grapes would have been nice.

Breakfast

The buffet breakfast in 1877 had plenty of options, from bacon, eggs and sausage to fruit and yoghurt, with vegetarian, vegan and free-from choices. I particularly enjoyed the Greek yoghurt, so thick I could stand my spoon up in it, with a little berry compote.

Walks around the historic grounds

The gardens are a standout feature, and we spent an afternoon strolling through the beautifully maintained grounds. You can pick up a map with several walking trails from reception, and you may even spot a pheasant.

The 13-acre grounds include several gardens, and the Italian Gardens are particularly impressive, with symmetrical parterres, ornate fountains and a pillared temple. We were lucky enough to visit in daffodil season. You can also venture further on the Surrey Hills’ miles of walking trails.

Other amenities

• Fitness suite
• Spa with a heated indoor pool
• Meeting and event spaces
• The 1877 Bar, for drinks and lighter bites

How to book

You can book directly through the hotel’s website and browse its offers and packages, or use the Booking.com search below.

Things to do nearby in Surrey

Silent Pool Gin distillery tour

I’d definitely recommend the Silent Pool Gin distillery tour, especially on a rainy day. It’s a short drive away, and you can learn how the gin is made and sample the products.

Guildford Castle

History lovers should visit Guildford Castle, dating back to the 12th century, with lovely gardens and a museum.

The Surrey Hills and Dorking

The hills offer plenty of hiking and cycling, and the charming town of Dorking has antique shops and independent boutiques.

Final thoughts

We really enjoyed our short stay at Wotton House Hotel, and I’d happily recommend it for a peaceful retreat in the heart of Surrey. The history and romance of the estate will leave you feeling renewed. For more country house stays, see my reviews of Horwood House and Rookery Hall.

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