LOCAL AREA

Pick a winner at Epsom Downs Racecourse, within easy walking distance of the hotel – you may even be able to watch the horses being groomed in their stables from your room. Derby Day, held in early June, is one of the world's most prestigious and richest horse races, attracting huge crowds. The racecourse hosts a number of other well-attended meetings and events throughout the year.

Hampton Court Palace, 10 miles from the hotel, was a country residence of Henry VIII, who accommodated each of his six wives here at different times. The palace is an intriguing mix of Tudor and Baroque architecture, and in early July it hosts the world's largest flower show. View works by Rembrandt and Caravaggio in the Cumberland Art Gallery, and test your wits in the notoriously tricky maze.

Set amid the rolling Surrey Hills, Denbies Wine Estate, 20 minutes' drive from the hotel, has won international acclaim and even attracted royal visitors. A public footpath winds through the picturesque vineyards, and guided tours of the estate are available. You can sample the latest vintages or, if wine's not your drink, visit the on-site brewery for an ale straight from the cask.

At Box Hill, 20 minutes by car from the hotel, there are several pleasant walks offering superb views over the Surrey countryside. Cross the iconic stepping stones over a quiet stretch of the River Mole, or let the kids run free along a nature trail. Keep your eyes peeled for butterflies as you stroll along – this patch of woodland, part of the Northern Downs, is home to some 40 colourful species.