Barnett Hill Hotel

Unless you’ve got a will of iron, sticking to your fitness goals while you’re on a decadent mini break can be tough. But, while there’s no gym or leisure facilities at Barnett Hill, there’s so many ways to have fun and keep fit in the fresh air that you’ll want to take a few moments away from all the pampering and treating yourself. No, really! 

First stop, Barnett Hill’s 26 acres of beautiful gardens. Charge up your FitBit and wander through the pink flowers of the camellia walk, or take the forest path to spot deer. There’s also croquet and giant chess for some friendly competition that will get your pulse racing. 

Venturing further afield you’ll find some stunning Surrey countryside right on the hotel’s doorstep. In fact some of the best hiking spots in England are found nearby, including Box Hill, Leith Hill and the dramatic Devil’s Punch Bowl. 

Bring your bike (or cheat and hire an electric one) because you’ll also find a spectacular range of single-track mountain bike trails. These take you through ancient woodland to some of the highest points in Surrey.

Barnett Hill is a great location if you’re here on an occasion when only the best will do. Get your glad rags on and start your evening of wining and dining perched at the stylish 1905 bar with a perfectly-poured Espresso Martini in front of you. 

Cocktails not your style? Why not try a locally-sourced tipple instead, like a Silent Pool gin and tonic, expertly crafted by a distillery just down the road. 

Admire the plush furnishings and beautiful garden views while you nibble on a burger or sandwich from the bar menu. But if you fancy getting fancy, the wood-cladded Oak Room Restaurant fits the bill. It’s truly something extra-special, boasting laid back luxury, divine dining and two AA rosettes.

Sun-drenched by day and aglow with flickering candlelight by night (there’s also a crackling log fire if it’s chilly) it’s perfect for an intimate rendezvous. Serving up stylish and generous food, menus showcase the best of seasonal produce, sourced from some of the incredible suppliers of the Surrey Hills.

No, there’s no swimming pool, just two tranquil treatment rooms which offer a divine selection of Mediterranean-inspired Templespa facials, plus signature Utopia massages, Swedish massages and body scrubs.

Here on an overnight break? You’re in for a treat. There are 55 rooms and suites, and each one is a sumptuous haven. Once the private home of the famed Thomas Cook family, you’ll find contemporary boutique rooms, suites and even whole cottages spread across three buildings - the main mansion house, the courtyard and gardener's cottage.

Rooms range from cosy Comfy Doubles to expansive Luxury Super Kings. Turn the bells and whistles up a notch with a Suite for garden views and lavish bathrooms. But whichever room category you choose you’ll find luxurious linens, Templespa toiletries and comfortable beds for a dreamy night’s sleep.

You can check in at 3pm, while check-out time is 11am. You can get an early check in at 12pm, or a late check out at 2pm for an extra charge. 

Yes, it offers ramp access, disabled toilets and accessible courtyard rooms.

The vibe here is very much ‘laid-back luxury’. As such, there’s no strict dress code, except for in the Oak Room Restaurant. Here the dress code is elegantly smart - by that they mean gentlemen don’t need to wear a jacket and tie, but they can’t wear sportswear.

This Queen Anne-style country house dates back to 1905, when it was built by Frank Cook, grandson of the renowned travel agent Thomas Cook, as his family home. Many of Barnett Hill's original features still remain, including the summer house, tea house and greenhouse.

While treatments are for those aged 18 and above, Barnett Hill is fabulously family-friendly, with spacious rooms and super-cute sleep teepees for little ones. Welcome rucksacks come complete with crafty kits to kick-start their Barnett Hill adventure, and if the grown-ups want a date night, the hotel can recommend babysitters. 

During the school holidays the restaurant opens early at 6pm for some stress-free family dining. The grounds feature garden games and woodland to explore. And if that’s not enough, Chessington World of Adventures is just a 35-minute drive away. 

Dogs aren’t just allowed, they’re given a royal welcome at Barnett Hill. The doggy red carpet is rolled out to well-behaved small and medium sized pooches who can stay for £40 in dog-friendly bedrooms and suites, all situated in The Courtyard giving you and your pooch easy access to the acres of grounds.⁠

Dog-friendly rooms at Barnett Hill are kitted out with stylish furnishings and wood/tile flooring. They’ll get their own comfy bed and stylish bowls, and your pampered pooch can dine alongside you on the terrace or bar. They even do a doggy afternoon tea!

No, there’s no golf club at the hotel, but there are plenty nearby. In fact if you love golf, you’re in the right place. Surrey has more golf courses in the Top 100 than any other county. Just eight miles away, Cranleigh Golf & Country Club offers a challenging, yet playable golf course, with the beauty of the surrounding Surrey Hills a constant feature of the course.