In this business, it pays to be specific; it seems there’s a White Horse of some description in just about every town, village, and hamlet in England. But only one is remembered as the Victorian-era coaching inn where Charles Dickens went to write part of The Pickwick Papers, and that would be the White Horse Hotel in Dorking, Surrey. It’s also the only one that recently sank £4 million into a refurbishment to bring it up to the standard demanded by guests who’ve grown accustomed to the boutique hotels of London and the surrounding countryside.

To that end, they’ve decorated the rooms in a style that’s colorful, eclectic, and luxe, in a homespun sort of way, while duck down duvets and Green & Spring bath products provide just a touch of extravagance. The same goes for the all-day restaurant, whose menu features unapologetically classic British fare, but with an emphasis on the quality and provenance of the ingredients. Just about everything you’ll taste is local to Surrey, from the bread and the sausage to the produce and chutneys and even the drinks from the bar — local wines(!) feature alongside a selection of ales and lagers from Dorking and Wimbledon.