Heartwood Collection acquires historic White Horse pub in Dorking

Heartwood Collection, formerly known as Brasserie Bar Co, has acquired the White Horse in Dorking, Surrey as its first pub with rooms.

The 56-room, Grade II-listed building is considered one of England’s oldest coaching inns and is referenced in the works of both Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.

It dates to the 13th century and is believed to be where Dickens wrote his first novel, the Pickwick Papers.

Now the pub is set to relaunch in early 2024 following a multi-million-pound investment by Heartwood Group. This will maintain a stone fireplace and many original features while creating a snug room, dining room, garden room and a large outdoor seating area in the courtyard terrace.

Brasserie Bar Co was founded by chef Raymond Blanc and Mark Derry and was acquired by Alchemy Partners in early 2022. It rebranded as Heartwood Collection earlier this year with the ambition expanding in the premium pub sector.

The business operates 20 Heartwood Inns pubs and 14 Brasserie Blanc restaurants (pictured) across the UK. In July, it secured £100m funding to support its goal of growing to 60 sites with up to 500 bedrooms by 2027.

Richard Ferrier, managing director of Heartwood Collection, said: “We are very excited to announce the acquisition of the White Horse, Dorking as Heartwood Inns’ first pub with rooms.

“The pub is steeped in history and will fit beautifully with the rest of our pub estate. This represents a significant step for the group as we accelerate our ambition to become the market-leading operator of premium freehold pubs and pubs with rooms in the UK”.

Heartwood Inns are also due to open the Plough & Harrow in Long Ditton, Surrey before Christmas 2023.