East Horsely is surrounded by woodland and National Trust grounds, and has a striking building with turrets
Surrey is known for its picturesque towns and villages, but one neighbourhood in the county seems to have been plucked straight from a fairytale. Nestled just outside Guildford, this enchanting Surrey Hills village is enveloped by lush woodland and National Trust grounds.
East Horsley, tucked between the equally charming villages of Shere, Great Bookham and West Clandon, offers motorists a Disney-like experience with its striking building adorned with turrets situated right next to the curb.
Horsely Towers, a 19th-century country house, was designed by Charles Barry for banker William Currie. The breathtaking estate was later sold to William King-Noel, 1st Earl of Lovelace, who carried out two major expansions of the house, introducing bold architectural features.
Now a Grade Two listed hotel, Horsely Towers was built using local flint and brick. It boasts a complex of walls, tunnels, arches, bastions, and a long cloister. Lovelace had a particular fondness for tunnels and bridges, and members of the public can actually stroll through the Lovelace Bridges in the Surrey Hills.
One circular route on AllTrails guides walkers through nine bridges. The Lovelace Bridges of Horsley is an 8km circular dog-friendly trail, typically considered moderately challenging and taking approximately two hours 45 minutes to complete.
Along this trail, you will also stumble on the Duke of Wellington pub, a popular spot for enjoying a Sunday roast. This Surrey gastro pub, located opposite Horsley Towers (now known as De Vere Horsley Estate hotel), features similar decorative brickwork.
The historic country pub offers three traditional roast options: Aubrey Allen’s dry-aged rump of beef, Jimmy Butler’s free-range pork and crackling, and free-range chicken supreme. A vegetarian Wellington with artichoke heart, spinach, emmental and pine nuts is also available.
Roasts start from £18.50 each and are served with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, roasted roots, Yorkshire pudding and jugs of gravy.
East Horsley is an excellent destination for a family day out, with numerous attractions in the surrounding area. Hatchlands Park, Polesden Lacey, Newlands Corner and Denbies Wine Estate are just a few of these top spots.
Property website Rightmove reports that house prices in East Horsley have averaged £1,197,188 over the past year, with detached properties making up the majority of these sales, fetching an average price of £1,380,250.