Tired of London, Tired of Life - A website about things to do in London

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16 April 2013

Spend a night at Tanners Hatch

Though it is in no sense in London, Tanners Hatch in the Surrey Hills is a stunning example of just how quickly and easily tired Londoners can find themselves in a rural idyll, with minimum outlay of time or money. On the edge of a wood deep within the grounds of the National Trust's Polesden Lacey estate, it is a Youth Hostel less than five miles outside the M25, only accessible by foot or by bicycle along tracks through the woods.



Your author spend Saturday night at the hostel, converted during the 1940s from two cottages which date back to at least the 17th century, and set in gardens fringed by a tiny campsite run in tandem with the hostel. The place is cosy and the welcome first sight of it was the smoke drifting up from its chimney in the still valley, demonstrating that a fire was smouldering in the grate. A trip is highly recommended, and the reception from friendly fellow guests was as warm as the fire, which was welcome for a rather soggy cyclist who had just trudged up the long track.

For more, see http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/tanners-hatch

2 comments:

  1. I stayed there one Easter about 50 years ago during a cycling holiday. It snowed! Good you are keeping up fine traditions.

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  2. Fascinating. There are new showers but apart from that I doubt it's changed much!

    ReplyDelete