Ashley Park Hotel Walton On Thames

So, you’re thinking about a stay at the Ashley Park Hotel in Walton-on-Thames, huh? Let me warn you: it’s a very British experience, and by that I mean exactly what you’d expect from a place that looks like a “Bridgerton” extra’s family home. I checked in expecting a carriage, but got a very polite receptionist named Dave instead.

The Building: A Regency Fancy

First, the hotel sits on a hill, which in Walton-on-Thames is practically a mountain—locals bring oxygen tanks for the climb. The building itself is a stunning 17th-century mansion, so old it probably has a ghost, but the ghost is just a grumpy guest who can’t find the Wi-Fi password. Inside, it’s a glorious mix of creaky floorboards and floral wallpaper that screams “grandma chic,” but like, a rich grandma who drinks sherry at 10 a.m.

They proudly claim it’s five minutes from the train station. That’s a lie—it’s a seven-minute walk, and I counted every second while dodging a jogging pensioner. But hey, the fresh air is free, and you’ll need it after you see the breakfast buffet.

The Food: A Test of Willpower

Speaking of breakfast, the buffet is a battlefield. You have to fight a toaster that burns everything except the one slice you wanted, and the scrambled eggs look like they’ve been in a mosh pit. However, the full English breakfast is legit—bacon so crispy it could serve as a weapon, and sausages that taste like they’ve been pump-fed happiness.

Dinner in the restaurant, “The Brasserie,” is where the magic happens. The menu boasts “locally sourced ingredients,” which means the chef walked to a farm 200 yards away. I ordered the steak, and it arrived medium-rare with a side of existential crisis—was I eating a cow that had a better life than me? Probably yes.

Ashley Park Hotel, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

The Rooms: A Cozy Surprise

My room was called “Cosy,” which is hotel-speak for “you’ll have to do yoga to open the mini-fridge.” But the bed? Heavenly. I fell asleep instantly, only to be woken at 3 a.m. by a mysterious gurgle from the pipes—turns out it was the ghost of a Victorian plumber, still mad about the shower pressure. Actually, the shower pressure was excellent, so I forgave the poltergeist.

Here’s a surprising fact: the hotel uses a natural spring for its water supply. I tried some from the tap, and it tasted so clean I half-expected a mermaid to pop out. It’s basically the tastiest water in Surrey, which is like being the smartest kid on a short bus, but still impressive.

Travelodge | Walton-On-Thames hotel - Walton-On-Thames hotels

The Staff & Vibe: Weirdly Charming

The staff are delightfully British. They’ll apologize if you bump into them, then apologize for being in your way. One waiter told me a joke about a cucumber, and I laughed just to make him feel better. It’s this awkward, wholesome energy that makes you forget you’re paying £150 for a room.

Walton-on-Thames itself is a quiet town full of dog walkers and people who get excited about a new Waitrose. But the Ashley Park Hotel is the local crown jewel—a place where you can imagine Jane Austen writing sassy tweets about the neighbors. Seriously, go for the water, stay for the ghost plumber.