Were you to ask my father, the secrets to a great hotel are as follows: a light switch reachable from the door, another from the bed, and a solid Wi-Fi connection. Were you to ask me: it’s all about plump pillows, cheery staff and a cosy, comfortable ambience – all things The Merry Harriers has in spades (and yes, there’s Wi-Fi!).
Nestled in the Surrey countryside in the picturesque village of Hambledon, this traditional 16th-century inn is a colour-drenched delight. The property was recently renovated by interior-design duo Hutley
& Humm, who complemented the building’s character with rich, enveloping palettes that immediately make you feel at home.
Inside, four en-suite bedrooms, each with its own personality, boast warming colours and tonal, bespoke furnishings, with antique furniture adding a glorious touch of patina. Outside, a cluster of shepherd’s huts offers a more rustic option for those who wish to be closer to nature.
For local owners Alex and Sam, food is at the heart of The Merry Harriers. The daily farm-to-fork
menu fluctuates depending on what’s in season and in abundance, with (amongst other local producers) Sam’s mother, Henrietta, supplying the pub with pork, beef and lamb from her local farm, and his sister, Goldie, providing fruit and vegetables from her kitchen garden.
The dishes play off pub classics with a refined edge – think pheasant schnitzel, pickled red cabbage and pink firs, or lamb loin, laverbread, leeks and onion purée – and make the restaurant well worth a visit, even without the bed upstairs to crawl into at the end of the evening. The friendly staff have great taste too and, if they suggest a dish, take my word and trust their recommendation!
An earthy green – The Botanist, by Paint & Paper Library – cloaks the main dining room, which combines low-hanging shades, colour-matched curtains and church pew-style seating. For a more private affair, book the ruby-drenched Record Room, which comfortably hosts up to 12 diners.
Unpretentious and instantly welcoming, The Merry Harriers is the perfect pitstop for a walking holiday, or for simply relaxing and taking in the atmosphere. Kick back and enjoy the crackling fire with a glass of wine, or, as they say, come for one, stay for many.
