The final time we visited the beautiful Surrey village of Hambledon, my daughter was simply over a yr outdated and never but strolling – so returning to assessment The Merry Harriers, with a keep of their household wing, and a llama stroll might hardly have been extra of a distinction.
assessment keep*
Tucked away within the Surrey Hills, an Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence, it’s a stunning a part of the countryside that usually will get missed for those who’re attempting to flee town.
And having stayed at a few sister properties (together with Dittisham Hideaway and The Beachcroft Lodge), I used to be trying ahead to testing the particular household wing on the historic Merry Harriers pub, which dates again to the sixteenth century, in addition to the prospect for a llama stroll in Surrey.
The Merry Harriers, Surrey: Very important statistics
Set within the village of Hambledon, Surrey, The Merry Harriers is round quarter-hour from Godalming, simply south of Guildford.
The historic Inn was taken over by the Peter de Savary group in 2017 and renovated, so in addition to rooms inside the outdated pub constructing itself, there are backyard rooms by the pub backyard behind (together with a llama view room), and shepherd’s huts in one other area throughout the highway by the automotive park.
To learn extra about what it’s like staying within the Shepherd huts, try this assessment from Otis & Us
Two of the Inn rooms join collectively to kind the ‘household wing’ – which is what we have been reviewing. Joined by a small hallway, and with their very own inside locking doorways in addition to the exterior door, it provides households non-public space sleeping as much as 5.
The Merry Harriers can also be dwelling to a herd of llamas – all male, together with two infants – who stay within the fields past the pub backyard and backyard rooms. And there are numerous packages, together with an in a single day or two-night keep, which embrace the prospect to stroll with these fabulous creatures.
There are llama-free strolling trails proper on the doorstep of the pub as nicely.
It’s additionally an incredible base to discover Surrey with youngsters, together with lovely Winkworth Arboretum, just a few minutes away, in addition to Petworth, which is lower than half an hour’s drive from The Merry Harriers simply throughout the county border in Sussex. It’s additionally an hour from Gatwick for those who’re planning to fly from the airport.
Household wing at The Merry Harriers, Surrey: assessment
Strolling into The Merry Harriers on a Friday night time, it’s an instantaneous reminder that the village pub has typically been the guts of the neighborhood over the centuries.
Full of cheerful teams, together with households, all celebrating the beginning of the weekend, we had a short second of questioning whether or not we ought to be attempting to test in elsewhere earlier than the pleasant employees picked up our keys from behind the bar, earlier than main us up the steps to the appealingly crooked corridors and our pair of rooms.
The Household Wing rooms
Set on the ground above the bar itself, the Household Wing rooms are two of just a few inside the primary constructing, tucked away in their very own semi-private nook behind their very own door.
With one double and one twin room (which has house for one more rollaway mattress or you possibly can request a journey cot), it’s a pleasant various to having everybody squeezed into one room – as anybody who’s sat very quietly in a darkened lodge room ready for his or her youngsters to sleep will admire.
Heading up the couple of steps to the dual room – full with low beamed doorway, which my daughter sailed via without having to duck – my 10-year-old was delighted to find that she’d landed the larger of the 2 rooms.
Particularly as she didn’t must share it with anybody and will unfold her teddies, books and garments far and huge.
Overlooking the backyard, it’s appealingly vibrant with vibrant blankets on the mattress, a dangling rail and chest of drawers (for those who don’t take my daughter’s strategy to garments storage), plus two chairs and a bit desk.
There’s a TV in every room, in addition to WiFi (we did have some points connecting to the general public community, however obtained entry to a different one through the keep) though she was extra excited to find the Penguin biscuits on the tray with the tea and low, in addition to the mini sizzling water bottles.
On a cold autumn weekend, it was additionally toasty heat – to the extent that we ended up turning the heating down barely the following day
Every of the 2 rooms has its personal en-suite, and once more, my daughter’s was barely greater with its personal bathe – neither has a shower – and wonderful toiletries.
Having wedged her door open with one of many helpful and quirky doorstops, we headed over to discover the second room.
It’s value stating that the doorways to the rooms themselves are fireplace doorways and so are heavy sufficient to swing shut. My petite 10-year-old had no downside opening hers (or ours the following morning) however if you’re travelling with youthful youngsters, they may wrestle with the load.
Whereas our room was smaller, I positively didn’t really feel short-changed. With extra minimalist decor, all muted delicate colors, the double mattress was immediately inviting – if unexpectedly excessive – with loads of squashy pillows.
In addition to the tea and low tray, plus an eclectic pile of books, principally of which I immediately wished to learn, there’s one stool within the form of a champagne cork, tucked beneath an enormous barometer.
This room is immediately over the bar, so whereas the noise didn’t disturb us, it’s value being conscious if in case you have any mild sleepers.
The storage and loo are cleverly hidden away: one pair of doorways opened to disclose a suitcase stand and hanging drawers with rail, the second to unveil the toilet, which was compact however not cramped. The rain bathe was deliciously highly effective too.
The one disadvantage was not having wherever within the room to sit down collectively as a household – the 2 comfortable armchairs in my daughter’s room have been pretty, however there have been solely two.
The pub backyard & restaurant
You’ll be able to, in fact, loosen up downstairs within the pub, together with a quieter room off the primary bar, or head out to the pub backyard when the climate’s good.
Because the solar was shining, we left the video games we’d introduced with us and headed down for a spot of chess, with the large chess items.
There have been loads of folks benefiting from the autumn sunshine and consuming exterior too, however there’s additionally a restaurant hooked up to the bar inside.
With the names of former pub homeowners painted on the partitions, it’s a reminder of what these partitions will need to have seen – I did marvel what the earliest landlords might need product of the choice to have smashed avocado with chilli flakes for breakfast.
If it will have taken them a bit unexpectedly, it was the proper begin to my day. And whereas a full English or the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs is all the time tempting, the porridge was additionally an surprising winner for all three of us – particularly with honey and cinnamon so as to add on.
There’s additionally a breakfast desk with pastries and bread to toast, fruit compote and yoghurt plus cereal and juice. You may get dairy options together with oat milk as nicely (together with to your porridge) too.
Quite a lot of the stays additionally embrace dinner, and it’s nicely value reserving even when they don’t – not solely as a result of the closest options are a drive away, but in addition as a result of there’s a sensible choice overlaying the whole lot from child-friendly meals to vegetarian and vegan choices (and even a canine menu!)
It’s basic pub fare – steak, burgers, fish and chips, plus conventional favourites like shepherd’s pie – in addition to some day by day specials.
A Surrey llama stroll
If you happen to’re not already tempted to test into the Household Wing, the furry icing on the cake is an opportunity to fulfill and stroll with llamas throughout your keep right here.
Even for those who’re solely visiting, you possibly can head up previous the backyard rooms or to the top of the pub backyard to see them of their area – and chances are high that no less than one will lollop over to test you out in return (and examine for those who may occur to have a bucket of one thing tasty).
The Merry Harriers launched a brand new exercise this yr with a ‘Lunch & Llama‘ expertise on Saturdays and dates through the college vacation, an hour-long session together with llama colouring-in sheets.
However even higher is the prospect to go on a llama trek – appropriate for youths aged eight and above. Strolling in pairs, you possibly can take turns in main the llama or simply having fun with their firm, and it additionally meant that my daughter obtained to look at earlier than deciding to take over the main rein herself (and will give it again for the downhill part on the return).
And for those who’re considering, nicely that sounds good sufficient however why not simply go for a stroll? Simply 5 minutes with Mungo will change your thoughts.
Mungo was ‘our’ llama for the 2 hour trek and it’s no exaggeration to say we have been all utterly smitten.
Every llama very positively had his personal character, together with good-looking Champagne, who I swear was posing for the digital camera displaying off his fluffy fur, Goji, who loves to hold picnic baskets and naughty Lorenzo, who saved settling down for a little bit of a relaxation at each alternative.
Mungo, in the meantime, was supremely chilled out, plodding alongside peacefully at our facet, stopping solely to effectively strip a mouthful of leaves off a part of the undergrowth or briefly detouring to have a pleasant scratch in a holly bush.
After a number of days of rain, I used to be glad I’d packed my mountain climbing boots (or do carry wellies) however he contentedly ambled via puddles whereas we clambered throughout little raised bridges and good-naturedly left even essentially the most tempting leaves after some light encouragement.
The stroll takes you thru woodland, over the widespread and as much as some fantastic views of the Surrey Hills, with an opportunity to ask numerous questions and discover out extra concerning the llamas, their behaviour and life alongside the way in which.
We even stopped at a sand pit at one level for the llamas to lie down and have a roll for a spot of mud bathing. Though evidently it wasn’t day for it: the entire group stood there politely gazing us till we carried on strolling once more.
It’s improbable for youths too: the llamas are very affectionate, laid-back creatures, whose buck tooth means it typically appears like they’re having fun with themselves vastly, and love having their extremely delicate fur stroked.
All these tales of llamas spitting? Effectively, they’re true – however you’ll get no less than a number of warning grumbles first for those who unintentionally do one thing to annoy them. Even one llama poking his nostril between the legs of the llama in entrance solely obtained a snort of displeasure.
One phrase of warning: a llama lavatory break can go on for some time! After certainly one of our group of 5 llamas determined a specific patch of bushes would make the proper bathroom, the others stood calmly watching earlier than every in flip got here to the conclusion that truly, sure this was an incredible concept.
The 2 hours went previous far too rapidly, and instantly we have been again within the area once more having to say goodbye.
Surrey’s Merry Harriers with youngsters: verdict
Weeks on, we’re nonetheless speaking about Mungo – fairly actually, for those who get the prospect to stroll with llamas wherever, seize it! However for those who can decide your llama and your location, a keep on the Merry Harriers with youngsters is improbable.
As laid-back because the llamas have been, having the interconnecting rooms was a positively deal with, and one not often to be present in a historic pub like this.
With all of the necessities, and fairly a number of pretty extras – from the little touches just like the paintings within the rooms and vintagey tins of espresso and tea to the nice breakfast and out of doors chess – it’s best for a beautiful stress-free household weekend in Surrey.
And the varied packages imply you possibly can ebook the whole lot in a single go – keep, dinner, and a llama trek with a picnic (in summer season, lunch on the pub when the climate isn’t so type). There are different actions all year long too, similar to wreath-making within the run-up to Christmas.
There are many family-friendly issues to do within the surrounding space to fill your weekend as nicely, though a llama trek ought to positively be certainly one of them – in any case, what higher strategy to encourage your youngsters to go for stroll?
For a chilled-out household escape, this quiet nook of Surrey could be very arduous to beat.
Disclosure: Our keep on the Merry Harriers, Surrey, was free for the needs of assessment – all opinions and llama adoration are our personal.
Photographs copyright MummyTravels
