The Richard Onslow

Lewis Carroll, author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and resident of Guildford, was apparently inspired to create the character of the grinning Cheshire Cat by a gurning gargoyle he encountered while visiting Cranleigh church. And if you like historic boozers that have been transformed into upmarket pubs with rooms, then Cranleigh's Richard Onslow might put a smile on your dial too.

All the period charm of this old timber-framed building has been preserved, but the current owners – the Peach Group, who have been running the place for the last three years – have positioned the Richard Onslow several notches above your basic inn. The ten rooms here are predominantly en-suite doubles, some with king-size beds, others with twins, but families are also accommodated and there is a box room if you just need somewhere to crash for the night. All newly decorated, a big effort has been made to retain the classic feel of the rooms, with original features such as fireplaces, wooden beams and head-bangingly low doorways all retained. But the rooms also boast power showers and flatscreen TVs with Freeview.

Located smack bang in the middle of Cranleigh High Street, you're right in the hustle and bustle of what is apparently England's biggest village, and you might be able to hear some revelry when the plaza outside is buzzing – if you're likely to be bothered by this, request a room overlooking the patio instead. Breakfast kicks off at 7am at weekends, allowing guests to make full use of their time to explore this lovely corner of Surrey, right on the edge of the Weald, and less than 10 miles from Guildford. With a Michelin-recommended restaurant operating in the bar, and free wi-fi throughout the building, this place attracts a mixture of leisure visitors and business guests.