please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
CLOSED suddenly and without explanation in November 2014.
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Garden is covered in dog excrement, do not venture outside without wearing a forensic suit. Roast Lamb is so overcooked it falls apart in hand - but this is apparently a positive. Previous landlady was evicted due to financial issues, new owners have installed a pool table which is to be frowned upon by all, what on earth are they thinking. Beer is okay, cider on tap.
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This pub has changed hands again from mid Jan 2013 after the last landlady was evicted for not paying the rent. This pub isn't particularly well decorated, it's fairly small inside, the garden is ok, but its full of dog sh!t. The reason I kept coming back here was the food. Especially the lamb. I picked up the bone and the meat fell off. I'm not joking. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, you could not do better than a roast at this place. It was amazing. But since mid January i'm afraid, it is not. Mediocre food could well kill this pub. The beer however, is still good. And the Bushells cider is lovely too.
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Visited on a Friday lunchtime and the place was empty! seems new owners have been in for about 4 months and a pool table brought in (oh dear!). Nevertheless the beer selection was okay and the food we had was really good value and vey tasty. Wouldn't rush back, but not will visit again I'm sure.
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Isolated pub in the middle of nowhere, quite roomy with a big garden with a koi pond. Four real ales on, I tried the local brew, Knatts valley "Fox" which was very nice. They also had Hepworth's Sussex, TEA and one other I can't remember now. Only did hot food on a Sunday: steaks, pies, roasts etc which was a shame as it was a baking hot day & I fancied a ploughmans. Food service was a bit chaotic and some had a long wait for their food. When it turned up it was OK but nothing special. Their normal (i.e. non-Sunday) menu looked much nicer.
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New management in place since around April 2012. Seems like they know what they are doing - have cleaned out the lines, focused on real ales and have got a chef that knows what he's doing. Drank a couple of local ales, both in good nick, so hopefully it's on the right track.
Lovely location and great for walkers.
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took my family there for sunday lunch after reading all the reviews sorry to say was very dissapointed.waited an absolute age for the food bearing in mind the place wasnt that busy.food was ok but not worth the wait.after my wife was chewing on string she found in the roast beef which i mentioned to the staff no apology was forth coming which would have been fair enough.wont be going back im afraid.
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Excellent pint of locally brewed 'Fox' beer. Pub dogs were Dalmations - nothing like the hound shown on pub sign.
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Yet another hidden gem tucked away on this part of the North Downs. It�s well worth tracking down The Fox & Hounds as it�s a wonderful building in a charming setting selling good beer with a nice, friendly service. I had the Betty Stoggs and I wouldn�t hesitate to recommend this establishment to anyone in search of a really good pub.
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Came back to this lovely pub over the bank holiday weekend, it was so busy had a wonderful lunch and a few too many wines!
Garden was packed as usual with like minded people having a great time.
Thank you
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Friendly pub with a roaring fire and good food. Nice selection of beers but the qualitity can be a bit hit and miss
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we went to the beer festival on the 28/08/2010, good beer, bit pricey( �3:00 a pint ) but you did not have to pay for the bands, my only gripe was the last band finished around 21:00, then there was a sort of disco which was ok as you could pick your taste of music from over 2000 songs on an ipod,but then from nowhere a woman just pulled the plug ( 21:45 ) and ended it there and then right in the middle of a song leaving every one in limbo, i think this was unjust as they have taken your money all day and no explanation why they shut it down so early,i had been looking forward to this event for ages and told a lot of people about it , I'm sorry to say i will give this one a miss from now on and take my custom elsewhere.
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Saturday lunchtime very nice indeed, this is definately my most favorite pub by far!
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Sunday Lunch as ever was very very busy and a great atmosphere, we (4 of us) were lucky enough to eat in their lovely beer garden after a nice walk up from Otford. Two of us had the famous "Fox Roast Beef" and the other two had the half roast chicken, washed down with a few pints of very well kept Skinner's Betty Stoggs.
Their annual beer & music festival is on the 28th 29th & 30th August Bank Holiday Weekend.
Last years was absolutely fantastic, we have been told that they are having about 25-30 real ales and ciders 10 live bands a bbq every day and a hog roast on the Sunday.
They have really made this into a great pub keep up the good work
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Re-visited last week and it's still a great place to drink and eat. Good beer selection and food is excellent. I had the fish and chips which was great value and one of the best pub fish and chips i'd ever had. It's a bit out of the way, but go here if you want a decent pub and friendly people.
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Now I wholeheartedly agree with the previous post what an absolute Gem of a pub! This was a recommendation from a friend of mine and I in turn will be recommending to others so that they can also enjoy.
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A nice, if somewhat steep and challenging (for a fat bloke) walk from Shoreham train station, to arrive at this lovely country pub.
Nice lived in cosey feel with a roaring fire. More of a dining room feel to it, the further away you get from the fire and the bar, towards the rear of the building.
Very friendly staff. I was a bit flustered on arrival trying to strip off layers of clothes and get the dog settled at the same time. In such a rush, that I left my wallet (containing �90) on top of the bar. I didn't even notice, until the barmaid brought it to our table 10 minutes later. Amazingly decent of her, as she could have just as easily pocketed it.
So a huge thanks from me to her. Girls working there, were alos very keen on our dog.
If you like walking , then this is an excellent pub in which to reward yourself at the end of the walk.
Highly recommended.
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After a lovely walk on the North Downs decided to visit The Fox & Hounds as usual it was well worth it!!
Myself and my wife both had 1/2 roast chicken which was excellent, the place was very busy as usual but no-one was waiting or complaining.
I had a couple of pints of the T.E.A Traditional English Ale and it was in very good condition my wife had two(yes two) large glassses of Merlot!! Which she thoroughly enjoyed. The current owners are extremely friendly and everyone receives a very warm welcome.
All of the customers who left during the time we were there all called out to thank them for a wonderful meal and a lovely time!
That to me says it all
If you have not been to The Fox & Hounds or have not been there for a while then I whole heartedly recommend this fine country pub. Thank you
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Was in here a month or so back and found it an excellent place to drink and eat. They even had Mild on tap which is rare these days. Recommended
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had lunch today 4 of us, very good food in lovely warm cosy surroundings. Open fire roaring and crackling away, Good range on the menu. The men said the beers were kept in good condition and our(the girls) wines were a very nice Fleurie. Food was very well presented and the Landord and Landlady were very nice people.
Definately a pub to visit!!
I have booked again for 3 sundays time and will be writing a review then!
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First time in a while but still excellent.
Wonderful Sunday Roast Dinner. Very busy, make sure you book. Lovely beer garden to the rear
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A challenge to find down narrow lanes and high hedges but seems to overcome this as quite popular. Just popped in for a swift one and Harveys Best was in good order. Curry nights on Thursdays.
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Fantastic pub!
Have been busy landscaping the garden and restoring the original york stone flooring well done to all concerned.
Beer was in excellent condition as always I had Harveys and T.E.A (Traditional English Ale)
For lunch i had the rump steak, excellent
Will definately be going to the beer festival August Bank Holiday
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What a great pub!!!
Beautiful pub in glorious surroundings, after a long walk this pub is a sight for sore eyes. Great food and beers. You must try The Fox roast beef sunday lunch it is to die for!!
Very friendly staff and locals. Will be returning very soon
TRUELY A RARE FIND!
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After the fantastic success of this place Jeff & Fran have now taken over the George Inn Shoreham So I expext that to come on leaps and bounds over the coming weeks!
Good luck
Tina
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"The carvings on the bar counter are worth pointing out."
I think you'll find that they're made of plastic if you examine them more closely, like many of the realistic-looking rustic 'oak beams'.
I do like the ciders though!
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A fairly attractive but typical country pub, tucked away in the lanes and not one you would come across unless you knew where you were going. A good mix between dining and drinking but, whilst the pub is pleasant enough and does put on some appealing events (beer festivals, music events, fireworks evenings etc), it doesn�t really posess any great intrinsic wow factor to distinguish it from other pubs of its ilk. The long and narrow carpeted interior is much altered but retains an element of rustic exposed brickwork and beamed tongue & groove ceilings but ultimately the place does have a slightly contrived feel to it. The animal carvings on the bar front are worth noting (although the locals were previously oblivious to them when we pointed them out). It was quite popular on the late Sunday afternoon we visited but we managed to get a table for 4 of us without too much of a problem and enjoyed a decent quality light meal at reasonable cost. Of the beers Harveys was fine and the Biddenden Bushells Cider made a pleasant change from the more widespread ciders. There is a Plasma TV in one corner and pool table at one end as well as that rarity of pub entertainment, a Piano. The spacious and well kept beer garden is worthy of a sunny afternoon session and I would certainly return again for one of the events, even if the place does put the SatNav through its paces.
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Came here with RogerB on our sunny Sunday country pub crawl. This is a typical Sunday lunch village pub. Nice enough with guest ales and Harvey's bitter, but is fairly standard, and so lacking in individual character.
However, even though you'll have drunk in a pub just like this in many parts of the country, it's certainly a decent pub, and justifiably popular. The food was reasonably priced and quite tasty, and the beer condition very good.
The carvings on the bar counter are worth pointing out.
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Now under new ownership. Thank god....
The new couple Jeff & Fran have done wonders to bring back the local community and to make the pub so much more inviting. They are spending a lot of time effort and money on the place to make it a lovely place to go. I have lived locally for 25 years and they have been accepted so quickly by all locals and non-locals alike.
The quality of the beer is excellent as is the food. They have always said that they are not trying to make it a gastro pub just a great frendly, clean and happy place that families, locals and non-locals alike can enjoy good home cooked food in great safe surroundings. Never have I seen the pub so busy.
On a Monday evening they live music, Jazz , Folk, Blues. Thursday night is Curry and Quiz night(advisable to book a table). Friday is Fish day and Sunday(again advisable to book) is Traditional Sunday roast as well as a full alternate menu.
The bar and restuarant area are having a complete makeover(pub will not need to be shut for this)As this has been neglected for so many years. New furiture re-decorated etc and new heating so we can eat and drink in a warm pub for the first time ever!!
Its now a pleasure to use the gents toilets as they have been completely re-furbed too.
Thank you and good luck.
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A small selection of real ales (only a couple) - but they were very well kept and tasty. A couple of ciders on tap too if that's your taste. Food was towards the basic end but again well done. Service very friendly. Overall - not glamorous or gastro-pub, but delivered very well for what they do.
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Great real ales I had a pint of doon Bar to start followed by wippets of the caribbean and then onto the trusted old Harveys Sussex best bitter and then I tried the biddenden clear cider at 6 percent. All were very good and me bit tipsy. The lamb shank was excellent. Me and a local who wishes to remain anon. thinks the landlady is gorgeous!
A very friendly pub in a wonderful setting, great looking beer garden to the rear with large car park also to the rear. If you are looking for a great lunch which is not expensive or a good home cooked dinner after a long walk then visiting The Fox and Hounds is a great treat for people of all ages as there was a mixed bunch of people in there. They do food everyday. A proper english countryside public house well done.
Mark Taylor and co.
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What a gem of a place!! They had their annual 3 day beer and music festival over the bank hoilday weekend it was fantastic! Loads of bands, a bbq hog roast and other stuff for kids as well. My hubby was pleased about the real ales and ciders. The place was absolutely packed to the rafters inside and out for the whole of the 3 days if you have not already been then you must attend next year August bank holiday.
Thanks for a brilliant weekend
See you next year
Tina
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Worth the Hike, I walked to it via very quite lanes from Kemsing, and back from it on good footpaths to The North Downs Way, friendly, good beer, excellent location and happy beer drinking locals - which is always a good sign.
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Monday lunchtime was supprisingly busy, very good real ales and fresh food I choose the cheese ploughmans with was excellent it was accompanied by loads of crusty french stick. There was only two tables not taken! I was told by the landlord that the restaurant will be extended in the near future.
My wife picked the sausage and onion bagette which was quite large as well.
The staff were very good and friendly, asked us where we had been or where we were going to and I can honestly say that we will make a return visit up the winding lane very soon. Thank you for such a delightful afternoon.
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A proper english country pub! I went with my wife on Wednesday evening, great atmosphere around the open fire a good mixture of local and non-locals alike. Had a good selection of ales and the food was all freshly cooked.
It must be stunning in the summer.
Will definately be making this a more regular visit.
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Went to the Fox & Hounds for lunch yesterday, it was packed with ramblers all enjoying their beer and food and having a great time. We had a lovely lunch, the service was excellent and the atmosphere was great. Will definitely go back in the evening for dinner. You must meet Gemma the spotted dog, she is gorgeous!
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The Fox and Hounds is a great pub. It also has a fantastic restaurant. Staff are very good. Loads of car parking and a really nice large beer garden.
We will definately be returning, if you have not been here yet you must go!
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A superb pub. Went in yesterday as if appears in the new CAMRA guide and did not look too far from the delights of Shoreham. A bit off the beaten track, but two decent and good value local ales and a cider.
Food took a while but was clearly freshly cooked and very good value.
Looks to have a decent garden and caters for families.
Will be back there soon!
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I first used to frequent the Fox and Hounds over 50 years ago. It has done nothing but improve over that half-century.
When I used to go there in my youth there was no electricity in the pub. In fact there was very little of anything. There were two bars in those days. One had a dusty old armchair with a spring sticking out of the seat!
There was a major change in the place in the 60s. The story I heard is that the pub lay in a sort of 'no man's land' between the London and Maidstone boundaries of the brewery areas -- Fremlins, I believe. One day, so the story goes, there was a slight shift in the boundaries and a new Maidstone manager came out to inspect the place -- a dump, as I mentioned before. He asked the landlord for a light-ale and a bottle was plonked down on the bar in front of him. "What about a glass?" he asked "F*ck the glass!" came the reply, and it wasn't very long before the landlord was tossed out and the pub went through a transformation.
I went there a number of times until I moved to the States 25 years ago. At that time it was in pretty good shape. The food was good. I don't know if it's still the case, but it used to be closed on Monday lunctimes.
My rating is based very much on old data.
anonymous - 10 Jul 2007 22:07 |
The Fox and Hounds delivers consistantly good beer and really makes good balance between a local pub and one that welcomes visitors. The food is reasonable, but not special and the beer is of a consistantly hight quality.
A great pub to mix in with a walk!
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Popped in saturday lunch with a party of six.Cold day.No room by fire, so at other end of pub.It has convection heaters that dont really do the job. Party by fire compalined it was cold too. Service was bit slow on the food front,40 mins for saus/chips/peas. Beer is nice, guest brew, �1.80. So perhaps i will see it as a summer pub and try again later in year.
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Attended the Beer Festival on Saturday, Sunday and Monday 28 August 2006 - I liked it that much!
A varied and enjoyable selection of music (folk, swing, jazz etc.) with a good range of real ales and ciders all at �2.50 per pint.
The new owners, Phil and Brigette Tatler had thought of everything and the the festival included other entertainers including a jester and a really good magician.
The usual food was complimented by a BBQ in the garden.
They had obviously put a lot of effort into making this event a success and I sincerely hope that they decide to repeat the festival next year!
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Another Darenth Valley find, like a slightly less timewarped version of the Rising Sun down the lane.
Caught their beer/music festival; local Westerham beer was majestic, and atmosphere of the place hard to beat today.
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Had a very enjoyable Sunday lunch her on 19th Feb 2005. The weather outside was terrible but a warm welcome to be found inside. This pub is in the middle of nowhere and at one point we were not sure if we would find it by road but well worth seeking out A number of walkers were sheltering from the rain and mist and even a carriage and horses pulled up outside. The food was good traditional home cooked pub grub with a good selection of beer. The sea food snacks on the bar were a nice touch. Would definatly go back when the sun is out.
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Good pub for walkers; was busy on a January Sunday lunchtime with a lot of locals which made for a good relaxing atmosphere. Good beers. Great log fire and I liked the bit of garden trellis with fairy lights in front of the toilet doors.The fact that they make you take your muddy boots off added to the front room atmosphere. Will try it one evening as their food seemed very popular and its just so remote for the area that you feel you're right out in the middle of nowhere.
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Way out in the sticks but in excellent walking country and well worth seeking out. Daily specials are genuine home cooked food and good value. Beer range also attractive. Changed hands in Dec 04 we were told but new landlord and staff very friendly
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Very nice country pub. Landlord always has a welcome, especially for new comers. Food pretty good especially the Friday Night fish.
Real ale in top notch condition. London Pride and Greene King IPA appear to be regulars. Guests from Archers and Westerham were really good.
It may be a bit out of the way, but it is worth the visit.
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Pros:
Nice country location, unspoilt village boozer. Very nice pint of Westerham Brewery's Puddledock Porter. Friendly staff & locals.
Cons:
A bit smoky.
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Country pub reached, mostly, by walkers on the Otford circular walk. We popped in last Sunday, which was a brilliant, bright November day.
So:
Beer: guest ale, good.
Food: bit bland
Interior: Quite good, made out of flint that could have been picked from the local fields. The end we sat in, right at the door, seemed to have been a new extension and had a bit of a scout-hut air to it.
Staff: Cute barmaid covered in cat tattoos, landlord friendly but did crack a dodgy joke about 'them gays'.
A handy pit stop, perhaps better in the summer when you can sit outside but the welcome was well intentioned (and I'm glad I don't look gay anymore) and the beer was good.
Scott - 16 Nov 2004 17:28 |
