Fancy the idea of escaping the city bustle and delving in to the English countryside for a night or two? Then The Merry Harriers may be just the little secret hideaway that you’re craving. Verity Craig visits this exquisite business set in the Surrey Hills.
Editor’s Pick!
Nestled along a pretty Surrey road amongst the woods, sits The Merry Harriers; a country pub that has expanded its use by the current owners.
Occupying both sides of the road in Godalming, with ample parking and all the amenities you could wish for a comfortable stay in ‘the stix,’ this independently owned business has used its land and beautiful setting, to create what is more of an ‘experience’ rather than just a night away.
Upon my visit, my husband and I were invited to stay in one of the fun ‘shepherd huts’ that overlook a little pond, set away from the pub on the other side of the road. On a crisp January weekend, one of our first thoughts was ‘lets make sure we take lots of warm clothes to wear in the shepherd hut.’ There was no need, for just as there is ‘glamping’ aka as high-end camping, this was shepherd hutting at it’s most luxurious!
Inside these well-built and beautifully designed huts, is a wood burning fire stove, under floor heating, a kitchen and a fully-fitted bathroom complete with a power drench-head shower and hot water.
The fit out of the shepherd huts, is ‘hygge style;’ the Scandinavian décor that incorporates minimalism and modern cosy. Warm blankets and sheep rugs adorn the homely spaces, with marshmellow’s on sticks and hot chocolate in jars, giving it that cosy winter abode feel.
All the mod-cons are also on hand; a Smeg kettle and fridge, a Nespresso coffee machine, TV with Netflix and Amazon TV…and thankfully, WIFI. So all you need to do, is sit back, relax, toast your marshmellow’s (on the fire pit outside is optional), and take in the Surrey Hills view!
Dogs are also welcome, and although we didn’t take ours on this trip, we were told about the lovely doggy welcome pack pooches receive upon their arrival by a fellow guest.
In the evening, we dined across the road at the country pub that was bustling with locals while the open fire was burning; most in their wellies and Barbours! A truly British experience.
The next morning, having enjoyed a peaceful nights’ sleep in our shepherd hut and a delicious cooked breakfast (over the road again), we were excited to embark upon our next adventure… llama trekking.
When the current owners took over The Merry Harriers, they inherited not only the land (which is where they rather ingeniously created the shepherd hut area, and some garden cottages), they adopted the existing llama’s who lived on the field behind the pub. Rather than just keep them as a nice viewing point for customers and families, showing true entrepreneurial spirit, they decided to offer ‘llama trekking’ for guests to enjoy all the year round.
After a quick talk from our lovely guides about what llama’s like and dislike, and what you should and should not do with them (there’s more to it than one imagines), we were off…llama trekking in Surrey.
Through the white frosty paths and out in to the large woods of the Surrey Hills, ‘Lorenzo’ (our llama for the morning) guided us novices (my husband and I) with grace and good behaviour thankfully!
As we walked with our friendly fellow- llama trekkers, and all our magnificent creatures on leads, there was something quite awe-inspiring about being at one with nature all around us…and by our sides.
We walked for a couple of hours with our llamas, feeding them all the way, and stopping halfway to enjoy a magnificent view at the peak of a hill, before returning back down (allowing the llama’s to roll around at one stage in a large sandy area!)
As our stay came to an end, it was tinged with sadness as this was a truly one-of –a-kind experience, but with a smile as we drove away recalling how wonderful it had been, and discussing what an incredible business this was hidden away in this beautiful part of the UK (close to London and not too far from the South Coast.)
Hygge Holiday Stays at The Merry Harriers
3 Nights B&B, Two course lunch, Three course dinner with Vann Lane Gin Winter cocktail and Hygge Welcome Pack –in room Blanket, luxury hot chocolate, marshmallows and Hygge book
Inn & Garden Rooms from £480
Llama View Room from £540
Shepherd Huts from £675
https://merryharriers.com/hygge-holiday/
