Heartwood Collection has opened its first pubs with rooms, The White Horse in Dorking, following a multimillion-pound refurbishment.

The opening marks Heartwood’s first venture under a new strategy, with a further four locations already confirmed by the group for 2024 in line with its plan to grow to over 60 sites and more than 500 bedrooms by 2027.

The Alchemy-backed group is set to open The Quill & Scholar in Lichfield in March 2024; The Rope & Anchor in Emsworth in the Summer; The Coat & Bear in Newbury in the Summer; The White Hart in Lewes in Autumn; and The Royal Forest in Epping Forest in Autumn 2024. 

The White Horse has been refurbished by Concorde BGW Group, with the historic Grade II listed coaching inn undergoing a sensitive refurbishment, to create a vibrant pub to the front, and a dining room for over 100 covers, plus a sheltered courtyard with further seating.

Upstairs, there are 56 bedrooms renovated under a “warm and quirky” style with bedrooms ranging from a “Snug” to “Really Fancy”, and prices starting from £100 per night.

The rooms feature Bramley toiletries, Roberts radios, baked treats and rainfall showers.

Higher specification rooms also feature Illy coffee machines, towelling bath robes and freestanding baths.

A number of the rooms will be dog-friendly with a dog shower located in the courtyard to wash muddy paws.

Families are also catered for with spacious rooms featuring trundle beds, interconnecting rooms and kids activity packs.

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

Richard Ferrier, CEO, Heartwood Collection, said: “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.

“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.”