Fox and Hounds, Toys Hillback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This pub is under new ownership and I visited on Sunday and was very impressed! I've known the Fox and Hounds since Ron and Hazel's days and did a few stints the other side of the bar in my youth. The new landlord seems to be doing a great job on the food and service, our 3 course Sunday lunch was excellent and the service was really friendly.
The pub had a good buzzy atmosphere with quite an array of dogs and a few children, everyone seemed to be having a great time and it managed to avoid being chaotic.
Definitely worth another try if you've been put off over the last few years, we had a great time and will definitely be going back.
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As others have said, much more restaurant than pub. Very nice pint of Speckled hen on, couple of other bitters too which I didn't try. Food quite pricey but pretty good but no sarnies available on a Sunday. Lots of reserved tables at 1:30pm on a Sunday afternoon and way too many screaming brats for my liking. Big garden for nice weather.
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'nstringer' is below of course, and not above...
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We visited today and overall had a pleasant experience. The food is indeed overpriced but Shirley Hickmott, the landlady, was all too willing to trust us over payment (ie. not take a credit card behind the bar). The soup of the day (leek & potato) was hot and tasty with fresh coriander as a dressing. The beer fresh and with no complaints. Dogs are welcome. Wood burner kept topped up.
I can't agree with 'nstringer' above. Buggies would prove to be a hazard. You can carry your children from the pub car park or, in fact, from the more extensive Toys Hill car park 10 minutes walk away.
I feel there is a particular local issue here, and not being one, I had a happy interlude on a sunny late autumn day.
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I've visited this pub about 7 times since the start of last year for planning a couple of country walks. Your experience and enjoyment will vary depending on whether you are a food customer and whether it's nice enough to sit outside.
When you can sit in the garden which has 20-30 tables, drinkers and eaters all seem well catered for and I found the waiting staff attentive too.
When it's too cold or wet for the garden, the inside is a dining room area (the right hand side, as you enter) and the bar area has about another 8 tables. As the dining room gets busy with Sunday lunch guests and even the bar tables are scattered with "reserved for diners"/"reserved at 2pm" etc signs, this is when it becomes clear that they actually don't like drinkers. You are not allowed to drink in the dining area under any circumstances, even after food service has finished. On my 2nd to last visit on a Sunday in September there was 1 non-dining table in the entire pub (which 10 of us crowded around) and the latest time even that was reserved for use later on - there are a few bar stools which I presume are the only safe haven from food reservations.
Sunday lunch is a big deal of this sort of place of course, and the landlady was polite in explaining that they really consider themselves a restaurant as this is what pays, but even amongst pubs I've been to like that, it's unusual for drinkers to struggle to find a single seat when there is probably room for 60-80 people to sit inside and eat.
The food is very nice - starters are �5-8ish and mains �12-18 apart from the Ploughman's which was about �9. Desserts �5.
Go on a nice sunny day and enjoy the garden, or go there because you want pub food. Drinkers are bound to get a warmer welcome almost anywhere else. As a walker with a group who don't all want to eat, it just about served our needs (and we didn't mind sitting outside under a heater for a bit with no tables inside) but if I were doing something like that again I would certainly try one of the pubs in Ide Hill instead.
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Prime location sitting on top of the Weald as it were, but aside from the location this pub don't seem to be bother much. Mono-syllabic 19 year old behind the bar..... the beer was ok but it doesn't work too hard as a pub so I'd rather this closed up if it can't smile know what I mean.
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Agree with the last 3 bites, 3 out of 4 meals were edible, but overpriced, all very polite, the landlord over the top. when we ordered it was done ok. My 12 year old daughter ordered duck breast, the waiter came back to the table and said that would be served pink,( as duck should be). when it arrived it was placed in front of her and the waiter walked away. He can back to check and I pointed out that he made a point of telling us the duck breast would be pink but this was very over cooked and tough. He then turned round to me and said, I did notice that it was overcooked when I put it down he wondered off to the kitchen and that was that. DO NOT have the creme brulee, sloppy and tastless. As we were finishing a customer can in with 2 wet smelly dogs and prossed to hold a conversation by our table. WHAT A TURN OFF, when eating. To add insult to injury when they produce the bill not only is gratuitys at your discression on the bottom of the bill, BUT THEY PLACE A BIG GREEN SERICE NOT INCLUDED STAMP ON THE TOP. Again I vote with my feet, you have lost another 4 customers at least. Once bitten twice shy.
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Visited this pub on a Saturday, i am afraid that i wont be going back, "We don't serve chips on their own, it's not that sort of place" is not a good way to start, get over yourself landlord, its a pub, not a 3 star Michelin restaurant! As it is in the middle of nowhere and i had walked there i ordered a ploughmans, which it turns out was hugely over priced. The table was cleared before we had finished our drinks which had to be retrieved from the over eager waiting staff. Over priced, miserable landlord, inexperienced staff.
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Not overly impressed. Average age of the staff is 19, but they were friendly enough, tho no one seemed to be in charge or running it.
Had the meanest Ploughmans lunch i have ever had! Small portions all round and all for under 9 quid.
Pleasant surroundings but naff food. Sorry to say it, Will not return or recconmend.
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first time i went to this pub, sat outside, had some fantastic food, no problems, second time i went in when it was snowing, the landlord said the cardinal sin, when we asked if was ok to sit somewhere for a pint ''THIS IS A RESTAURANT NOT A PUB''.
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We walked here at the weekend from Ide Hill on a miserable day and sat at the bar near a pleasant, warming coal fire.
There were a few people eating and not many people drinking or staff on show, but the guy behind the jump was very polite.
A nice, relaxed front bar with fine beer.
We would pop in again when passing.
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Walked here at the weekend from Ide Hill village and had a brace of Speckled Hens whilst sitting at the bar.
This place is gorgeous inside with lots of nooks and crannies if you would rather tuck yourself away.
We didn't eat here but friends recommend the food and visit regularly.
The staff were very polite and friendly and the beer fine.
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My wife and friends revisited this pub for the first time since its refurbishment and so it's time for some really positive comments to allay anyone's fears of the quite ridiculous negative ones, that at the moment head the list of comments. The pub has a fresh new look and yet it still retains an 'old world' charm. The landlord was on his 'best behaviour', unlike the contra words that have been written. We went for a second sitting of the Sunday lunch menu and you would be hard pressed to find better quality and value food in the locality. Far better than the gastro one visited recently in the local village. The food is all 'home' prepared and locally sourced and you can tell! The staff were all very friendly and efficient. Top marks all round and can't wait for warmer days to enjoy the garden tables to eat at.
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I wish I had read these reviews before I had visited this pub. The staff here are probably the rudest people I've ever come across: they do not deserve any custom. A real shame as this could be a lovely pub in a lovely location. Perhaps the 'no buggies' and 'no mobiles' on the door should have a been an indication: this pub is in a time warp. Avoid.
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Went with my family for Sunday lunch the other week, as the garden looked ideal for the children. Having settled in, entered, menu in hand, to order. Before I could say anything: landlord said "You can't order. Kitchen's too busy. It may change in 45 minutes." "Oh, so there's a 45 minute wait?" "No, I'll tell you in 45 minutes whether you can order". This was at around 1.15. On a Sunday. Pub was fairly busy, but not rammed, and garden relatively empty of diners. After discussion with my wife, went back in to order drinks. "It'll be twenty minutes" - "oh great, well I know what we want, so can I order now so when the kitchen takes orders again, they'll have it?" "No." "Sorry?" "You can't order now - there's nowhere for them to put the ticket". I had a pretty good idea where he could put the ticket, but it was now gone half one, I had some hungry children to feed, and I wasn't sure where else to go in the area, so I went back outside to wait it out.
Apparently "outside diners" are second class citizens, who have to slink off and wait for the landlord to come to the door, to shout across the garden to them that they are now lucky enough to go back indoors and be granted permission to order food. Which is what duly happened.
On a more positive note, once I had gone back in again, stood in a queue to place the order I'd tried to place half an hour before, and sat down again, the food did arrive promptly. Roast lamb itself was tasty, and at least hot, with decent roast potatoes, but the plain assortment of veg looked suspiciously microwaved and although not raw, was certainly in no danger of having had its vitamins leached out by over-boiling. No mint sauce (available in a plastic sachet at the door, though), school dinners level presentation, and no garnish or added finesse of any description. Now, all this would be fine if it was reasonably priced, but at �11.95 it is simply larceny. You can just about get away with that sort of price in a London gastropub with pretensions of fine dining, but out in Kent, with that level of cooking and presentation it is just cynical.
Oh, and when I went to pay, I was ignored by three members of staff for some time - so at least the service levels are consistent.
So, I'm afraid the other posters' views (which I wish I had read before I visited) are on the money - a fine looking pub, in a very pleasant location, ruined by unwelcoming or at best indifferent staff, dreadful customer relations and rank over-pricing. It seems from other posts that the locals don't go there any more, and the location presumably brings in a lot of hungry passing trade (from the walks and National Trust properties around) so the tactic appears to be not to worry about repeat trade and to wring as much money as possible out of customers who are likely (as I was) to be too polite to complain at the time.
I've worked behind bars in my time, so I know that it can be difficult to maintain a "customer is always right" attitude, but to show the level of indifference, bordering on contempt, to the paying punters that the management here displays is truly bewildering. Avoid.
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After reading the reviews I was wary about visiting, however I prefer to make up my own mind. In July 2010 I visited one Saturday lunchtime with a friend. I had a beautifully cooked and presented fish dish, albeit somewhat pricey I was happy to pay for a good lunch. However, on Sunday 12th September I returned and was bitterly disappointed. The 2 thick slices of Roast Beef were overcooked and chewy, the yorkshire pudding was burnt and the roast potatoes underdone. The young waiting staff work very hard and were pleasant and attentive. However, the food was overpriced and badly cooked. Unfortunately until the consistency of quality is addressed, I won't be eating at this pub. Any pub should be able to produce a decent Sunday Roast - especially for �13!
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Just started using this site, thought i would post a note about the fox and hounds. After reading the reviews i am not sure i am talking about the same pub. Went for the first time yesterday with my young family and two dogs. We had a lovely welcome the landlord brought out fresh water to us in the garden and bones for the dogs. The food was great not at all overpriced, the flowers around the pub were outstanding, the staff were very friendly and attentive even though the pub was very busy nothing was to much trouble. My friend had recommended the pub and i would have no hesitation in recommeding this pub to my friends and family we will certainly be visiting again.
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I visited here for the first time recently and had a positive experience much to my surprise having read the highly entertaining comments. As I know that the guvnor reads this site I can't relate my encounter without revealing myself other than to say that he was very chatty and very pleasant. Very telling tho was the fact that it was a warm evening and the pub was very nearly empty. Perhaps he has realised that behaving like Basil Fawlty loses custom? I for one will be happy to go back.
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I visited this pub on 18 May (a lovely Sunny day) with my daughter, grandson and son in-law. Although the governor was a little bit surly. I didn�t find it as bad as others.
There was one �Basil Fawlty� moment when we order our food (more later) the governor said there would be a delay due to the large �French party� having unexpectedly descended on them. I tone seemed to imply that being French was more of a problem than the fact it was a large party or unexpected. Later when clearing the table one of them complimented him on the food to which he replied, with a smile that looked like he had wind, �Who said the English can�t cook hey?� Which some of took to be a serious question and a debate ensued, gradually petering out as the governor strutted off, with pride swelling his chest, from the beer garden to the pub.
The food was good and reasonable the drinks were a bit expensive but not outrageous. The Moorlands was well kept and refreshing with the Sunday roast.
The only problem with the food was that vegetables turned up for table 65 (our table) before the roast. A look around the garden and table 56 had a roast with no vegetables. A situation I quickly corrected. I have to say it was very busy and the odd minor error was not a problem. I wouldn�t go out of my way to go back, but I would not avoid the place.
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This is all very entertaining reading, and the multitude of similar reviews means one can't question what they say - which makes the whole situation all the more tragic. In Hazel Pelling's time, this was one of the county's (and indeed the country's) gems - a pub with a unique atmosphere that you'd go miles out of your way to visit, and never come away feeling disappointed. Its situation is unrivalled; it could and should be marvellous - but look what's happened to it. Truly a disaster.
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Helpful,friendly waiting staff unfortunately serving the worst food we have been unlucky to eat. The vegetarian main course was inedible,ditto the roast potatoes.All around us people were complaining and leaving food on their plates. Even the lime and soda and tasted dreadful.
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Basil Fawlty before he went on a �Better Customer Service� course� visit at your peril!!
Nothing could have prepared us for Sunday lunch at this establishment; other than perhaps a morning watching episodes of Fawlty Towers and action movies such as �Platoon� and �Full Metal Jacket�! In the case of this pub, �Metal� should really be spelt with an �N�.. Like all the best true stories, this one starts slowly, but the pace does pick up�
A hint might have been gained through the original booking telephone call, (yes, we booked), where the gent at the end of phone proceeded almost immediately to correct the time that had just been agreed by both parties for the lunch � no problem; a detail we thought� However, the fun really started upon arrival. In-situ at the time dictated by the landlord during the booking telephone call, and having given our name, we were told that our table was not ready; �you�re table 7� we were told. No problem, a drink and a sit down in the pleasant if busy bar area. Drinks were ordered, only to discover that we had turned into table 11, which we took to be a small table in a side annex that was being cleared, again no problem. I left my partner to deal with the food order. However, upon asking again at the bar about the table, we were told that we were �being put on table 19, but then we would be swapped over�� no problem, we�ve stumbled into a pub that is test marketing combining the restaurant with a bingo hall � British innovation at it�s best we thought�!
In the intervening period the food order was given, and then (stick with it, I told you the pace would pick up), as I arrived back at our drinks table a waitress emerged at another table just adjacent, that itself seemed to have materialised from nowhere to such a degree that I would have been unsurprised to see David Tennant standing on top of it enveloped by an ethereal space mist.. But when it comes to mist, even the good Doctor couldn�t compete with the red one that was to be emitted from mine host..
In a pincer movement that would make a Starsky and Hutch two car skid look turgid, another waitress appears with two plates of food almost as the other (antiparticle furniture constructing) waitress withdrew.. The plates were literally hovering, waiting for us before we had sat down. The feeling was one of being survivors of a shipwreck who had been pulled aboard a fishing trawler and who had to be fed (perhaps force fed) any hot foodstuff at the risk of otherwise collapsing through malnutrition. The whole event seemed like a dream sequence, and having allowed the dopamines to kick in and realise what had happened, it became apparent that we had been moved, and moved finally, to an impromptu table in the bar area. My partner complained that she didn�t feel comfortable sitting at that table, and so like a lost soul searching for the light, I found myself carrying my plate of food towards the (presently) empty table that should have been ours, in the search for someone who could �help me�!
At last, help arrived in the form of our blue shirted host, �you can�t have that table it�s being set up for someone else� I was told, �but what about our original table� we are not happy being stuck in the bar area� I exclaimed. �Well there�s still people on your table, what do you expect me to do, chuck them off� came the retort. Suddenly it became apparent that this trawler was in fact more Somali than saviour.. I returned to our table to report the response to my partner�, blue shirt approached, �This is all I can offer� he stated �and if you don�t like it you can get out, I haven�t got time for types like you today�.. We agreed to take up Blue Shirts kind offer to return to the choppy waters of starvation, given that drowning is supposed to be quite a pleasant death, where-as another second in this man�s presence would have left me not as I wish to be remembered. But wait, all�s not lost; blue shirt decided to do the hospitable thing and escort us to the door stating �there�s just the drinks to pay for then� (we had hardly touched them given the nanoseconds between order and delivery�. I can still remember the hot, clammy breath of blue-shirt upon the hairs of my neck as we left; the parting pleasantry from our host being �off you go, professional whingers�!
However, having recounted the above, no story should ever be just a missive filled exclusively with �negatives�, and we would take issue with several reviews that refer to the busy, small car park. In our view, the car park was the best part of our visit to this establishment; we were certainly pleased to get back out onto it. So if you must visit, stay in the car park and eat your sandwiches; at least you�ll know where you�re sitting, and the food won�t come as a surprise.. but perhaps best to keep your engine running.. just in case!
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apologies entry error the Orange juice & tonic mixer was not �3.......
IT WAS �3.70 OUCH OUCH OUCH!!!!
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�10 for a ploughmans ...A mixed orange juice & tonic �3
THE OWNERS ARE NUTS!!
The last pub to get continuous awful reviews due to "Landlord Attitude"was the Kentish Hounds at Well Hall.Look what happened to that .Closed & now a private house.
With a bit of luck come next year it will go the same way
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A countryside pub, with a car park that gets full up very quickly
Large beer garden, bigger than the pub itself, definately a summer place but has a winter charm to it if you fancy a couple of hours away from your hectic schedule. Go and sit at the bar...
The pub is like a little cabin, and def has a charm. Well worth a visit
I received a text on my phone and swore in alarm... not smart considering the house rules but I thought it was amusing at the time...
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I can only confirm earlier comments. We have been to the pub a few times since the latest owner took it over and never found it particularly pleasant or welcoming. However, having the landlord swear at a family group with children and and old lady, threaten to call the police and to turn over the garden furniture, because in his opinion we didn't put away our sandwiches quickly enough, has truly plumbed the deepest depths of customer service. The landlord is entitled to enforce his views, though I don't think allowing a group of walkers to eat their sandwiches in an empty beer garden having purchased drinks in the pub would have been such a problem. But landlord's views do not need to be delivered to a family group with the threatening manners of a hooligan. It would simply make no sense to return to this place until it is once again run by a normal person. I am posting this for the sake of other potential visitors, particularly those with children.
ondra - 27 Feb 2010 10:23 |
How sad to read rightshedfred's review. I have not been in the place for a good few years but it used to be a gem. It was run by a delightful lady, her daughter and a real card of a husband/father who had a whiff of the military and the stage about him. Whenever the going got tough - i.e. if he had to work out change for a round of drinks from a tenner - the place rang with his rallying cry of "Hooooooolly!!!" at which daughter would come and fix it in a jiffy.
Places like this off the beaten track and with people conscious of drink/drive limits need to work treble hard to attract locals and the passing trade. Any thoughts I might have had to make a pilgrimage to see how the place is doing are now on hold until the reviews pick up a lot.
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There is nothing sadder in life than a shattered memory. This was once one of the truly great pubs in the area. good atmosphere, good beer and a bar full of friendly locals. It was a joy to spend time there. My, how it has fallen from grace. Don't get me wrong, things move on and nothing can stay the same, but to destroy such a well liked venue so thoroughly is quite an achievement.
I shall not go into specifics, but on first entrance i thought the changes were sympathetic to the old pub and the original layout. fair enough, the dining area makes good commercial sense, and so actually was a change for the better as food was not really avaialble in the old days. A freindly barmaid took our drinks order and asked if we would like to see the menu. tick the box there then.
sat down, and watched the staff go about their business, and was asked if we would like another drink. tick a second box. The menu seemd a bit pricy, but the vibes were good, so it could have been worth the money.
It then went all down hill when the owning family including rude son appeared on the scene. I don't think i have ever come across three people who could be more ill suited to dealing with their potential customers, the public. Or be less appreciative of their staff's efforts. Was horrific. am pretty thick skinned and been to many parts of the world to encounter and deal with all sorts, but the tone and language of the owners even made me feel uncomfortable. Needless to say, we drank up very quickly and left for the White Hart down the road, which at least tries to do a good job.
What a shame about the fox and Hounds near Toys Hill. never going back there until i hear that the place has changed hands for the better
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Good location, extremely overpriced and bland food.
The owners of this pub are a big drawback to it. They are very rude, pretentious and arrogant. The food is very overpriced and not in fitting with the cuisine for a country pub.
I wouldn't recommend this pub at all.
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I had not read previous reviews before visiting this pub so went with a completely open mind and am certainly not part of any vendetta. My boyfriend and I had been many times before back in the old days when it was run by a friendly old lady and wanted to see what the place had become.
On first arrival we thought things were looking good. An interesting if not pricey menu up on the wall (�9.25 for ham, egg and chips!) and a friendly girl behind the bar got us our drinks..........then the owners appeared. Other drinkers in the pub disappeared one by one until we were the only people left in the place contemplating whether to stay for dinner.
The landlord and lady, their son and the chef then sat around a table next to us and proceeded to whinge about their customers. An unusual tactic for getting us to stay and order I thought. It was extremely uncomfortable and almost unbelievable. The rather cocky son was almost jubilent in telling his parents how he had told an old lady earlier that he wouldn't serve her a cream tea. It was at this point that I decided that they did not deserve a single penny more of our money. In these difficult times you should appreciate your customers and certainly not moan about them in front of potential ones.
What a shame such a beautiful pub has such an unfriendly atmosphere.
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I can't help wondering whether the lovely setting has left the landlord indifferent to the need to treat customers well - particularly those unfortunate enough to venture there with kids.
I was (almost) prepared to overlook the unambitious food at lofty prices, but all charitable thoughts came to a swift end.
Snapping at (and upsetting) a two-year-old who dared to enjoy himself in an near-empty garden seemed a little excessive.
But perhaps this is to be expected from an establishment with a "no buggies" sign on the door.
I won't be spending money there again and wouldn't encourage other parents to stop off for a family lunch.
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I wish the rating could be higher, as the setting was marvellous, the beer (I tried the Morlands Bitter - 4 out of 5), and the food that 5 or 6 of us had ordered looked excellent. But we never got a chance to have a second pint, and only one of us managed to eat. It was a bit strange from when we first arrived, just after 12.00, to be greeted with a demand that we provide change as walkers always turn up with 20 pound notes and they'd have no change by 12.30. Then we had to order all the food on a tab, and he'd provide an itemised bill and calculator at the end so we could work out who owed what. OK not unreasonable, but then we had to sit all on one table, which he proceeded to organise (5 of us did, 3 wished to sit out in the garden). Since one order was for the outside, he was a bit put out ..... the food was served, I was ordering a second round of drinks when there was some heated confrontation outside. Apparently one of our number had unwisely bit into hgos own sandwich, with the coffee he had bought. This seemed to trigger an excess of anger, and he was still fuming to us as he came back inside. This was over the top, and when one of our group commented to him a further tirade was let rip ..... and we were told to first shut up, and then get out. Walkers weren't welcome, and no we couldn't eat our just served food etc. We were just to go, and piss off. His wife then came out and tried to insist that we still had to pay for the food - a contract had been made. She did not seem to appreciate that we had already been told to go, and no payment would be taken. She tried to block us from leaving, did not want to be touched (!), and would call the police.
All in all it seems Tony Hickmott has licked the customer problem in a unique way. Down in the village they told us that he and his wife had had the pub for 5 years, and noone local goes there anymore. We could see why!
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The Fox & Hounds is a decent hostelry sitting beside Toys Hill overlooking the Weald of Kent.
Nice beers at it's the ubiquitous Greene King. Friendly service.
No mobile phones and no swearing and quite right too.
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Returned to this pub today for the first time since my visit in Jun 2007 after another brisk walk around Toys Hill.
Still a great pub in my opinion. This time we ate inside for lunch with our baby daughter.
Still towards the pricey end, but the food was very good. We had a starter and two mains, plus three soft drinks and it came to 28 pounds. It must be a new/updated menu since we last ate there. I had a burger with fries and salad. The burger was home made and definitely not the run-of-the-mill pub burger, and the wife had a lamb curry which she enjoyed. We fed our daughter with food we had brought with us. As before I didn't see any children's menus, but I overheard the family next to us discussing child portions so they may be catered for.
Very nice children's high-chairs are available - clearly either very new or well looked after and very clean (manky, poorly maintained highchairs in pubs/restaurants are a particular bug-bear of mine). There were quite a few children present this time. The landlord appeared to be rearranging the reserved tables on-the-fly to ensure that people with children were kept in one area of the pub - something I suspect the other people without kids would appreciate.
The clientele this lunchtime were a mixture of locals, walkers and people in fancy cars who were presumably off for a drive in the Kent countryside. Small dogs on leads appear to be allowed inside but I don't know if there is any explicit policy.
The staff were attentive and friendly. The landlord was very welcoming from the moment I stepped through the door and came over and made a fuss of our baby and we had a brief chat about our circumstances and his family.
Today's newspapers were available to read in the bar.
My only negative experience was that they had signs referencing a "two main meals for 14.50 throughout January" deal but when I asked it turns out it starts on 6th January. Hmm.
Other details: No mobiles policy. A smoking area is signposted from the bar but since I don't smoke I didn't investigate and can't say whether it is a sheltered area or just the great outdoors. They may have had some problem with kids getting lost or hurt in the woods next to the beer garden as I saw a sign saying something like "Don't let your kids play in the woods. Danger".
On the whole though I was very happy and I will be going back the next time I feel the need to wander around Toys Hill.
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nice pub in a great location,very quiet,walked for westerham for lunch on 26/7/08,eat squid for a starter and halibut and cous cous for a main,food was cooked to perfection and my friends also thought the food was great,the best food ive ever had,staff were friendly,defintely worth the money they charge,plan to go many times in the future
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this is a lovely pub in a great location,really quiet,had lunch on 26/7/08,had squid for a starter and hailbut with couscous for a main,food was cooked to perfection, defintely the best food ive ever had in a pub,worth the money they charge,plan to go back again soon.
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Delicious food and well kept ale but marred by a very grumpy landlady who throughout Sunday lunch was 'hurrying us up'- even to the extent of clearing dishes before all our party had finished. When we commented on this we were soundly told off for being late for our booking (5 mins) and apparently had missed our slot in the kitchen. We were also told we 'took too long to order.' The problem appears to be that they can only accomodate one large party per sitting (we were 8) and they wanted the table for a second sitting. They said it is a regular problem for them - perhaps a change of booking times would help. We will not eat there again.
anonymous - 2 Oct 2007 10:13 |
Our overseas visitors wanted a real 'country pub lunch' and, I have to say that I was embarassed by this choice.
The location is lovely and the character of the bar area is 'traditional and comfortable but, knowing that a Sunday lunch would be busy, we booked in the restaurant.
I wish we hadn't: small tables cramped into a tight area with a whole army of (very polite) mainly eastern European waiting staff transformed the traditional pub atmostphere into standard local restaurant.
The biggest disappointment was my (and guest's) meal choice the wonderful sounding 'Steak and Ale Pie'. This arrived with a luke warm stew served in a small pie dish with a (cold) puff pastry 'lid' placed on top. 'Fresh seasonal vegetables' tasted of freshly boiled water although were at least 'al dente' Desserts were lovely but my mood was irrecoverable. And each main course at �10.50 upwards.
Oh for a good solid ploughmans or hunters pie.
anonymous - 29 Jul 2007 20:01 |
Given the previous mixed bag of reviews for this pub I was nervous about going there. Still, after a lovely Sunday walk around Toys Hill (recommended!) I thought we should give it a try.
I'm glad we did.
The pub is situated on a quiet country road, has a car park for about 12 cars (which was packed full). The road is quiet enough that you can park on the road without too much worry. A lot of the trade looks to be from walkers and passing cyclists and there's nothing nearby of note besides the National Trust car-park for Toys Hill. There is a non-smoking and no-mobiles policy in the pub itself, but there is a garden with plenty of picnic tables. We were slightly put off by the shouting toddler in the garden, but it turns out he was ours.
Given the previous comments about the grumpy landlord I was a little nervous but he turned out to be courteous and friendly. He was also happy to chat to my two year old. The rest of the staff were also pleasant and checked we were happy with our meals twice and tidied up quickly after we'd finished.
The food was on the pricey side for a lunch meal: no main course for significantly less than a tenner on the Sunday menu. The food selection was on the higher end of quality - e.g. full roast, chicken wrapped in Parma ham with a nice sauce; no burgers/wraps/sandwiches here but had a nice Sausage and Mash (portions a little small but tasted good). There's a strange rule about not ordering starters without a main course, but I suppose that's to avoid people balking at the prices and just ordering a soup. Skipped desert - sounded nice, but too pricey for us (e.g. 4 pounds for 3 scoops of icecream). Menu definitely in the gastro-pub category.
Children seem to be cheerfully accepted, but they are not explicitly catered for (no high chairs or play area, no obvious child menu, etc.). We ordered main courses from the menu and asked for an extra plate for our sprog and he ate some of ours).
Can't comment on the beer as we don't drink, but it's a Greene King pub.
So, generally good in a great, quiet location. I'd suggest that you should not be put off by the previous bad reviews if you're in the area.
Neril - 10 Jun 2007 15:45 |
I think this establishment falls into the category of "Gastropub" Very friendly staff & landlord.Excellent well kept beers. Nice to see & enjoy fresh fish specials along with a good variety of other dishes on the menu.
Very pleasant well kept garden even the toilets were immaculate.
As a keen walker this is an ideal location to stop off for refreshments before continuing through the wonderful surrounding countryside
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I can't understand unfavourable reviews. I visited the pub countless times last summer and found nothing else than a friendly atmosphere. Tony and the staff were opened and willing to chat by the bar. Also other guests sitting nearby were easygoing and talkative. For me as a foreigner food was ok, although I'm not very keen on English cuisine. But I found beer irresistible ;) especially cider and guinness ! Great pub, friendly people inside :)
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Had lunch here today and really liked the place. Staff helpful and friendly, the food excellent but it's a bit pricey for a midweek pint and a snack.
I would like to come back another time and have a full meal, the menu looks great.
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I used to love the Fox and Hounds. I used to drive to the pub with the wife and dog and enjoy a pint of good old bitter. The beer was lovely. The thing which has let me down was the food. I am very fund of food and so not getting a good meal really upset me. I have not even thought about visiting it since. Which is a shame as i like the old and the new landlord. i just cant help noticing that "norgor" and "RyanHickmott" are against bad reviews. As we read " The food here is excellent" does this mean that they are the same person?
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Personally, I found the Fox and Hounds a poor place to eat. Thinking, (incorrectly) that it would be a nice place to take my girlfriend I was told to f*** off as I was wearing a football shirt. Later that month, I re-tried, this time with my parents. I was told, again to f*** off by the landlord, as he has had 'enough' of 'my sort'. I left, without even entering the threshold. Unbelievable!
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My wife and I visited this pub on a Saturday evening (as written earlier). I must say that I found absolutely nothing wrong with either the landlord or the staff who served us. I was slightly put off by the notice demanding that mobiles be turned off, as though there was likely to be a babble of mobile users (don't think so). Overall the food was very good. Our starters, main courses and one sweet were excellent but a major disappointment was the cheese board which I ordered. The brie was young and hard, the cheddar was not mature but worst of all the onion chutney consisted simply of caramelised onion with was almost tasteless.
I would however recommend you trying this establishment, yes the food was on the expensive side but was very well cooked and presented. Personally, I would rather pay slight too much for my food and enjoy it than get a cheap mean which you regret eating later.
I think you should have a good evening, we did.
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Just adding to the remark about the Discriminating comments which the landlord supposedly said, several of his closest friends are from new zealand so the lies you are making up about him calling some ew zealanders 'refugees is a bunch of lies
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Just to reply to the last two comments, Tony hickmott the land lord would never make a discriminationg comment. The landlord is never rude just for the sake of proving his point, if someone is disrespectful he will not stand down just so someone can get a free lunch.
Also i am his son and i live at this pub so i d have the broadest perspective on this matter and when he does have to say something to a customer it is always justified
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We had a very enjoyable few hours at this charming pub / restaurant. Excellent ploughmans and baguette, pint and half of Green King IPA (the least pleasant thing of this pub - no good guests but that is the want, it seems, of Green King! I wonder why?)
Very friendly pleasnt staff.
The area is set in National Trust woodland so a delightful walk with superb views capped a wonderful few hours.
We will be back to sample the very tempting dinners and try the wines.
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I used to visit this pub with rambling friends some years back then it was Good ale & basic snacks.After a ramble one Sunday a week ago I visited this pub What hit me first was that a pint of ale & a draught Guinness cost me �6.Studying the menu Plenty of food circa �15 a throw but zilch the way sanwiches rolls etc.Still I suppose having spent mega bucks on doing the old place up ones got to make a living.Must be good as it was heaving .Wonder what its like on a Monday??
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I have just re-read the latest reviews re 'norgor' and 'ryanhickmott'. I want to make it clear I do not have a 'vendetta' about this pub. I didn't even know of it until we followed the rambling path as prescribed by Time Out. But I was so appalled by our treatment - unprovoked might I add � that I felt compelled to write my review. It wasn�t until I Googled the Pub when I got back from the ramble that I saw all these other comments on this site.
anonymous - 3 May 2006 09:31 |
�Offensive� is a word. So is �cankerous�. On the first May Bank holiday, 15 friends rambled and made our way to this pub for lunch in their garden area. To order we were instructed by signs to do so inside. We did but were met with stress and disproval by the Landlord. He advised us that the wide range of mains were for regulars only and we had three choices � roast beef, roast pork or omelette (for vegetarians). He then sent us outside with paper and pens to take our own orders, then instructed us report back to him. When finally placing the order I asked him why he was being so rude to us. He replied that he was the Landlord of that pub and could do what he liked, when he liked. With references to some of our New Zealand accents he also said that he didn�t want a bunch of refugees coming into his pub. �Disgusting� and �rude� are other words.
anonymous - 3 May 2006 09:26 |
The previous reviewer (the son of the current landlord and landlady) is absolutely right. I've been back again since my last review in March (it being quite some time since I last visited), and the pub is as wonderful as ever. The poor ratings here do seem to be a vendetta, of sorts.
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Most of the reviews here are placed by people who have a complete vendetta against this pub because i know that it is one of the best pubs in the south east of england. And the person who said that they land lord and land lady dont enjoy their work well they do and if you want proof, ask me because im their son and i live and work there.
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I visited this pub on a Sunday and found the staff a bit brusque. I didn't like the messages posted over the walls about the fact that you couldn't use a mobile and that they didn't serve only starters on a Sunday - all a bit rude and officious. After being seated and shown the menu, we left because the vegetarian choice was so appalling - omelette or a plate of mushrooms - this, coupled with all the 'rules' meant it was not a place we wanted to waste any more time in. I'd give in 1/10 for the setting and nothing else.
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I also found the landlord unfriendly to the point of rudeness. I am not a rival landlord, just a visitor to Kent who likes to try different pubs. A pity as our meal was excellent if a bit pricey but the wine served by the glass was poor quality and definitely overpriced.
anonymous - 1 Apr 2006 23:57 |
I can't believe the bad reviews. The landlord and landlady are really lovely people. They're always willing to engage complete strangers in polite conversation. The food here is excellent, and the ales are well kept and served exquisitely. The bad reviewers must be local landlords in the vicinity who realise that the Fox and Hounds is light years better than their little hovels.
The fox and hounds originally gained a reputation for excellence in the inn-keeping trade by the previous land lady, who kept the pub for many, many years. Her obituary featured prominently in the Telegraph and The Times when she died several years back, such was her fame. The current owners are keeping up to those very high standards.
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I'm a little baffled by the two previous reviews.
My wife and I have been here 3 times recently and found it to be a lovely pub.
The landlord has been nothing but friendly and accomodating.
The food is good without being fussy and not IMO, overpriced.
Steak & Ale pie is excellent.
Good beer too.
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Why these people are running a pub I cannot understand. For years we have been having a pub meal every Sunday somewhere in Kent, so are in a position to make informed comparisons. We have tried this place 3 times now in the past 2 years, so have given it a fair chance, but after the last time, never again. The landlord and landlady do not seem to enjoy their work, and give the place a bad atmosphere. The plates are cold (my pet hate), the food is mediocre and overpriced, and a disappointment compared with the menu description.
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the landlord and landlady of this pub were incredibly rude and unprofessional and I would not recommend to anyone- especially anyone wanting a nice family day out and a bite to eat with their children. Despite the fact we were told children were allowed and were showed to a non-smoking, children's area with high seats and childrens menu; when our little ones were simply chattering away in good humour at the table ( no screaming, crying, throwing of objects, or running around at all) we were rudely told by the pompous landlord that this was ' a pub not a creche' and his wife proceeded to speak to us in a similar vein. Rude and unprofessional all round which is a shame as is a lovely location, but deserviing of proper professional owners who know how to run a pub and treat their customers.
anonymous - 8 Nov 2005 13:58 |
Lovely pub, Good friendly service, good food - excellently presented, the only down side. COLD PLATES and VEGATABLE DISHES.
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Lovely old pub, food was ok - but service was appalling! We were left at the table, ignored by the staff and had to beg at the bar for drinks to accompany a very expensive meal
Gwen Fraser - 12 Oct 2004 10:50 |
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