Heartwood Collection opens first pub with rooms

The White Horse in Dorking, Surrey, has reopened to the public following a multimillion pound refurbishment.

Owned by the Heartwood Collection, the opening marks the group's first venture into pubs with rooms, with a further four locations already confirmed for 2024.

Heartwood, formerly the Brasserie Bar Co, plans to grow to over 60 sites and have more than 500 bedrooms by 2027.

What's new at The White Horse?

The Grade II-listed coaching inn has undergone a major refurbishment, with the ground floor being reconfigured to create a pub to the front, as well as a dining room for over 100 covers.

Upstairs, there are 56 bedrooms which have been renovated to reflect Heartwood’s style, with rooms ranging from a 'Snug' to 'Really Fancy'. 

"This is a hugely significant moment for Heartwood Collection with the opening of its first pub with rooms and marks the start of an intensive period of growth in 2024 and beyond," says Richard Ferrier, managing director of Heartwood Collection. "We are incredibly proud of The White Horse and the holistic approach we have taken to ensuring every aspect of the guests experience is absolutely seamless. We have been delighted at the welcome we have received from the Dorking community and are looking forward to The White Horse being joined by four further pubs with rooms over the course of 2024."

Charles Dickens was a former guest at The White Horse and wrote part of The Pickwick Papers whilst at the inn. Jane Austen was also a visitor, with the nearby Box Hill featuring in her novel Emma.

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