The beautiful little village so pretty it looks like it’s straight out of a painting | UK | News

Surrey Hills is home to the sort of quaint little villages you’d expect to find in the Home Counties, and none more so than Gomshall, less than eight miles from Guildford.

The picture postcard village is only an hour out of bustling London, but visitors could be forgiven for thinking they’re a world away from the capital.

Besides the red-brick cottages that are simply to die for, Gomshall boasts a recently revamped Medieval pub that’s so pretty it could lure in teetotallers. 

Gomshall Mill reopened its doors to pub-goers in December last year and is exactly the sort of boozer befitting of the rural setting.

The pub sits on the River Tillingbourne and is « surrounded by stunning countryside ».

The new owners said: « We’ve gone to great lengths to preserve the character of the building, with its jumble of nooks and crannies, ancient creaking floorboards, and a forest of oak beams. You’ll find a warm welcome, a decent wine list, and good honest food cooked with care. »

One glowing review of the Gomshall Mill read: « We had a work lunch as a large group. The welcome, service, food and drinks were all excellent. This was particularly impressive given the size of our group. My pork terrine starter was super tasty with a homemade piccalilli. I was able to substitute dauphinois potatoes instead of cheddar mash with the leg of duck: delicious.

« I really like what they have done to revive the GM which was very shabby and dark previously. The restaurant was full for midweek lunch so booking advised. »

Besides the gorgeous pub, the village is the final destination on the Dorking to Gomshall trail known as Walk the Chalk.

According to National Trails, the walk through the Surrey Hills is a « seven mile (12.5km) linear rail to ramble walk on chalk grassland » that takes in « spectacular » scenery and « rich » wildlife.

The experts say of the trail: « In the first 3 miles you will walk on an old carriage road built in the 1800s by William Joseph Denison, one-time owner of Denbies House & Estate.

« A haven for wildlife, fossil sea urchins have been found here, a reminder that the North Downs was once covered by sea. Further along you will be walking on chalk grassland, which has developed as a special wildlife habitat due to grazing of animals. The chalk slopes are rich in orchids and chalk-loving butterflies such as Adonis and Chalkhill blues. »