Background
Housed in a quaint 16th-century public house on a quiet country lane in Hambledon, Surrey, The Merry Harriers is rich in history and character. The popular village inn was taken over by Alex Winch and Sam Fiddian-Green (the duo behind nearby Hilltop Kitchen in Godalming) in 2023, bringing the farm-to-fork cooking to a country-pub setting.
The space
If Hambledon is the quintessential picturesque British village then The Merry Harriers is its postcard pin-up – a charmingly wonky 16th-century inn surrounded by lush flora with old wooden beams stretching across its welcoming bar area, a big roaring fire and a beautifully decorated dining area with views of the ample garden at the back.
There’s a games room – Jenga, anyone? – and, upstairs, a selection of rooms for overnight guests, weary from their travels. The rooms (there are four inn rooms, six garden rooms and five shepherd huts) have been thoughtfully renovated in keeping with the traditional style of the inn. I was in a cosy room painted in dusky peach with Tudor-style beams and tiny windows. These offered views over the street and the inn’s cluster of shepherd huts complete with firepits and marshmallows for toasting (this really is a great spot for a night or two away from the chaos of the city).
For a moment you could easily pretend you travelled back in time thanks to the artwork, wonky floor and traditional fireplace but the mod-cons – tea station, power shower and TV – bring you comfortably into the 21st-century again.
The food
After a swift check-in, I hotfooted it (to get from my room to the elegant dining area took about 30 seconds) to my table to order some of Sam and Alex’s famous homemade fare. The menu evolves with the seasons and is inspired by their surroundings in the Surrey Hills to create a selection of locally sourced hearty dishes.
I started with a delicious rhubarb daiquiri, which inspired me to select the Nutbourne tomatoes, goats’ curd and Hilltop lovage starter – feeling incredibly wholesome as I tucked into the sweetness of the local produce. A Guinness and a smoked haddock and mashed potato main later and I was sufficiently satisfied. The grub here has all the familiarity you desire from a country pub but with surprising twists that elevate it to something really special.
While I took a break before selecting a pudding, my friendly waitress arrived to take my order for breakfast. Feeling slightly full already, I opted for Alex’s porridge, with walnuts and brown sugar – a recommendation and, I knew, a great way to start the next day. Dessert was the mouthwatering Jamaican ginger sticky toffee pudding with whisky toffee sauce and it polished me off – in a good way.
Can’t wait for breakfast… (update: breakfast was warm and indulgent – I chose well).
The bill
Rooms start from £140 a night, including breakfast. A meal for two will set you back around £120 with cocktails/drinks and is well worth it.
The verdict
The perfect retreat among Surrey Hills’ natural beauty; with so many accommodation options there is something to suit everyone. Offering the finest hospitality, exquisite food and home-from-home vibes, The Merry Harriers gave me a fuzzy festive feeling – even in the middle of August when I visited – and for these reasons, I will be visiting again. And so should you.
The Merry Harriers, Hambledon Road, Hambledon, Surrey GU8 4DR; merryharriers.com
