The White Horse
Cosy British coaching inn meets boutique hotel. Think teal-panelled cabin beds in the Snug rooms, grass-green walls and marigold accents in the Comfy rooms, and plaster-pink Really Fancy rooms with claw-foot tubs. Aubergine and petrol-blue hues in the bar. Warm, dog-friendly, family-welcoming — and genuinely rooted in the local area with Surrey wines and Dorking ales on tap.
Book direct through the hotel website for the best rate, complimentary room upgrades, 48-hour cancellation, and 12pm late check-out
Why It Matters
The Dickens connection is real: this is the inn widely believed to have hosted him while he wrote The Pickwick Papers. It's also Heartwood Inns' flagship 'pub with rooms' concept — their first foray into overnight stays — and it landed on both the Michelin Guide and Mr & Mrs Smith lists after a £4 million refurb.
One of England's oldest coaching inns, sitting right on Dorking High Street in a Grade II-listed building that dates to the 13th century. Charles Dickens is said to have written passages of The Pickwick Papers here — the building has the beams, fireplaces, and nooks to prove it. A £4 million refurbishment turned it into a proper boutique stay under the Heartwood Inns umbrella, with 56 colour-saturated bedrooms, a French-inflected seasonal restaurant, and a bar that's the oldest part of the building.
Where You'll Stay
6 room types available
Accessible Room
Ground-floor rooms with king-sized beds that can be split into twin beds. Roll-in showers and grab bars. Vibrating pillows for fire alarms. Two accessible parking spaces directly outside the hotel.
King (or twin)
Comfy Room
Inspired by an English garden — grass-green walls, clotted cream and marigold accents. A step up from the Snug in comfort and space, aimed at couples. Most Comfy rooms and above have space for a free baby cot or pull-out bed for a child under 12.
King or doubleFancy Room
More space for longer stays, with super king beds, Illy coffee machine, dedicated workspace, and some rooms offering a separate seating area or ottoman. Rainfall shower, Bramley products, Roberts radio, smart TV. Accommodates a cot or pull-out bed for one child. One dog-friendly Fancy room available.
Super kingReally Comfy Room
Extra space to spread out — good for families. Dog-friendly rooms available in this category (up to two dogs at £20/dog/night, with dog bed, shampoo and treats included). Beds, fridge, smart TV, Roberts radio, Bramley products all standard.
KingReally Fancy Room
The top tier. Plaster-pink rooms with super king beds and claw-foot roll-top baths — some of the baths sit right in the bedroom. Not all have the in-room tub (two do, plus one has a separate large bathroom with roll-top bath and window seat), so worth specifying when booking. Comes with rainfall shower, Illy coffee machine, Roberts radio, smart TV with casting, cold drinks fridge, bathrobe and slippers, and Bramley bath products. Space for a cot and some fit a pull-out bed for children.
Super king
Snug Room
Compact and characterful — ideal for solo travellers or couples spending most of their time out exploring. Teal-blue panelled walls, cabin beds in some, double bed in others. Rainfall shower, Bramley products, Roberts radio, smart TV, cold drinks fridge, and a desk. Good value entry point into the hotel.
DoubleThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Box Hill is 1.8 miles from the hotel. The hotel acts as a natural base for hiking Leith Hill, Box Hill Stepping Stones across the River Mole, and Ranmore Common. National Trust territory within easy reach.
Denbies Wine Estate is 1.4 miles from the hotel — tours wind through the vineyard and conclude at the well-stocked cellar. The hotel can package wine tasting into stays.
£20 per dog per night for room access. Stick library, dog shower, dog menu, and treats in dog-friendly rooms.
Regular happy hour at the bar — check the What's On page for current timings.
Live music events at The White Horse.
Regular quiz and games nights at the pub.
Regular steak night event in the restaurant.
A dedicated cycling break package through the Surrey Hills in partnership with local bike hire operator Cycle Collective. E-bikes available for the hillier stretches, including Box Hill.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
The hotel offers space for celebrations and business meetings, including a Business Club membership.
Free WiFi throughout the property — in all rooms and public areas.
E-vouchers and gift cards redeemable at The White Horse and all Heartwood Inns locations.
24-hour front desk service.
Luggage drop-off available at the front of the hotel.
Download the 'Treats' app by Heartwood Inns for complimentary drinks, desserts, 15% off food, exclusive room offers and birthday fizz. First reward is a complimentary drink on arrival.
A hidden courtyard at the back of the inn. Dog-friendly. Also an outdoor terrace.
A library of sticks for dog guests. Yes, really.
A dedicated dog shower to clean up four-legged guests after walks.
One electric-vehicle charging point on site. Additional EV spaces at Southside car park, five-minute walk away.
Limited parking spaces on site at £10 per day — must be reserved in advance directly with the hotel. Alternative long-stay parking at St Martins Walk (RH4 1DX), a few minutes' walk.
BUILD YOUR THE WHITE HORSE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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