Belle’s On To A Winner At The Running Horses
After what felt like a very long winter, spring was finally beginning to make an appearance and just in time for the official first day of spring. I was especially excited because I had planned a little getaway to the countryside that weekend and I could hardly wait.
I have long dreamt of peaceful walks in the forest, lungs filling up with fresh clean air, face bathing in the warmth of the early sun rays, hugging a tree or two, and listening to the birds singing away. So we woke up one March Saturday, my travel companion and I, excited and ready for our little adventure. When I checked the weather on the Friday before the forecast predicted zero temperatures and a chance of snow, I nervously laughed it off.
Yet it was true…the temperatures dropped by about 12C overnight. I repacked the bag, polished my furry boots, and made sure I had my big woolly hat and scarf. We were ready.
By the time we got to Box Hill & Westhumble – less than an hour on the train from London – it was already snowing. Entering the Inn that was to be home for the night we felt a ‘Narnia’ kind of moment. Pushing open the heavy front door, we were transported into a different world. We left behind the cold blizzard and entered a charming room with a roaring open fire.
The Running Horses is set in lovely village of Mickleham in a middle of Surrey’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). During the 2012 Olympics the Inn was on the cycling event route and the London Bike race passes it annually.
We decided to explore the area so took a route past the 10th century Saxon church which sits right opposite the Inn. We followed one of the paths that lead into the woods. It kept snowing and a soft white powder started to settle. It was cold and refreshing and it was perfect.
It would have been easy just to keep going but as we didn’t have a map and didn’t want to get lost in the woodlands, we headed back.
The Running Horses has five rooms on offer, all of which are individually decorated and named after famous racecourses. There is also the lovely Gate House, which is separate to the main building.
We stayed in the Ascot room. It was decorated in light grey tones with soft tartan carpet and country-style antique furniture. The bathroom had a freestanding bath, which my travel partner filled up for a soaking session as soon as we put our bags down. The room was cosy and tastefully designed, however it was a little cold and a pair of slippers would have been a nice touch. There was a small portable heater, which we used for extra heat.
We relaxed in this lovely room for the rest of the afternoon, enjoying the peace and quiet, and we watched the snow slowly fall, covering the church in front of us. It required quite a lot of effort to leave the comfort of the Ascot room, but dinner was waiting.
The dining room is set at the back of the pub occupies a space which once housed the courtyard and stables. The room is delightfully charming, with wooden beams decorating the ceiling and wooden panelling alongside the walls, creating a nice warm and welcoming ambience.
The restaurant uses the best local and seasonal produce to create dishes for their changing menu, crafting an ample offering of British dishes. We started with Garlic Buttered King Prawns and Steamed Asparagus, followed by mains consisting of Trio of Spring Lamb and ‘Dressed Devon Crab. The food came nicely presented and tasted beautifully.
To finish, I had the Rich Chocolate Marquise, served with honeycomb and salted maple ice cream. My fellow dining companion had the Apple Crumble from the Special’s menu, which came with a plentiful serving of custard.
Feeling satisfied but not ready to leave, we ordered two glasses of their delicious cocktail of the day an Old Fashioned and then found a cosy spot by the fire. We played games and contemplated life – a perfect ending to our day.
Wanting to explore more of the area we woke up quite early. After a big breakfast and entertaining conversation with Fahid the head waiter who looked after us, we headed on a two-hour walk.
We walked up Box Hill, which was full of families making the most of the snow – having snowball fights, sledding and even snowboarding, the hill was alive with activity and fun and it was very entertaining to be amongst it! Despite the cold weather, the local area was filled with hikers and cyclists and I could see why – the views and the scenery were breathtaking.
The staff at The Running Horses were very friendly and helpful, offering us tips for our walks or just engaging in conversation. Chris, the general manager was a fantastic host, very professional and personable; he even gave us a ride to the station on Sunday because of the shortage of taxis due to the heavy snow!
- The Running Horses, Old London Road, Mickleham, Surrey RH5 6DU. Reservations on 01372 372279 or book@therunninghorses.co.uk. Double rooms from £98 per night, including breakfast.
