please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Stopped in for a coffee as the pub looked like it had been tidied up.
Really glad I did, the inside is even better! All redone from my last visit, bright and clean, log fire blazing (in May!) and happy chatty staff. New owners from Devon, hence Devon beef and Devon ales on I guess, nice pub and well worth a visit if you are passing.....
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Just been to the Fox - it has new management to last year (the infamous drunk lady mentioned in previous reviews) but can't say I noticed an improvement. Still a dark dank little pub with poor quality food.
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I used to pop in here once in a while when in the area, and was always good, nice ales, friendly, and food good. Then it seemed to have a new landlord, and went downhill a little, but still not that bad, but it seemed all the locals had deserted the place, and that took something away from what had been a nice atmosphere.
Then called in again this summer - wow, what a change, new landlord is great. staff really can't do too much. Food - fantastic and great value. Service wonderful. I am a bit tight when it comes to tipping, but we just had to here - and the tip was refused! "your custom is all we need for a tip"
When I needed a venue for a family get together this was the obvious choice, even though not on my doorstep.
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Myself & a few friends went there for lunch on Saturday halfway through a walk.
Friendly gaffer & locals.
Nice beer & good food
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Not been to the Fox in ages, bit sceptical after reading comments, but heard it was under new ownership. Wow what a turn around. The Pub is clean and inviting. The beer was perfect and reasonably priced. Food menu looked good and there were plenty of people enjoying lunch. Hope the new owner can keep it up!
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Disagree with the previous post. If he wants perfect country fare, suggest he goes to the Purefroy Arms at Preston candover or the Fur and Feathers at Herriard where he can enjoy over priced fare in a soleless atmosphere that could be anywhere.
This is a great country pub with a warm atmosphere. Shame there are not more around like it.
My Doonbar was good and the food wholesome and good value. Great service as well. Highly recommended.
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The last two posts were obviously from the same person with a connection or allegiance to the Fox. This pub is, regrettably, run by people who drink more than they sell!! The beer is sometimes passable, other times not good. As for the menu......well, it's hardly 'classy country fayre'. No disrespect to the chef, he can only cook what's on the menu. This place is crying out for a professional manager. I doubt one will appear.
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Proper Country Pub - First went there in a big group in May time - They had loads ales for the lads and all sorts of wines and soft drinks for us ladies. The food was wonderful and the menu had too many yummy things to choose from.
Been back several times since and the staff are always smiley and welcoming - they were so helpful - i am one of those fussy eaters always asking for a BLT sandwich with no lettuce or margarine or a Roast with no gravey. So many places muck it up but they always get my order right.
Went past one day last summer and they were doing a charity fundraiser with local classic cars - it was busy and happy atmosphere. Other times its just been us, the free newspapers and huge log fire. Our kids like it too as they are welcome and can play darts, or borrow the colouring pens and pencils that are left out. They even have a few games behind the bar like connect 4.
Proper real ales, log fires, good food and several different areas so can choose to be in a quiet snug corner or a more open busier area, a place to suit all. Perfect place to walk or cycle to and there a big car park if you want to get there the quick way!
All round smashing place, don't live in the village and have lots of pubs nearer. But its worth the extra drive and hope it continues to grow from strength to strengh. We will certainly be back.
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I would consider myself a regular at The Fox, despite the fact that I have many pubs I pass to get there as I dont live in the village! The food is great with a wide menu sourced locally, and they have a range of Beers and see guest ales introduced regularly, but also serving a wide range of wines and soft drinks (including many fruit teas!-handy as my wife is teetotal).
Much to do here, including bar billiards, with many events from beer festivals to live music and monthly quiz meaning there are plenty of times to meet some of the real 'locals'!
Pop down, you ever know you may like it.....
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I feel a bit fraudulent posting this, since I didn't have any beer and it wasn't in the evening...
We stopped here on spec while cycling, before 11am, and found the pub not officially open, but the landlord was very welcoming and he made us an excellent cup of coffee. I will try certainly try again, at a more conventional time.
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Saw the landlady myself . Wow! What can I say ? I don't want to upset the apple cart, but ....... The real ale, 6X wasn't the best and the white wine was warm, but the"service"well!
Does she need help?
I don't want to say any more as I feel sorry for her.
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I was in the Fox on Saturday 28th August , only for a couple of pints of Alton Ale which was in good nick, i understand what other posters are saying about the "landlady" she was a bit unsteady on her pins but not rude or unhelpful in anyway , mind you she and the landlord drove off in their MG for 10 minutes leaving us ,the chef and one other to carry on without them !
Shame really not sure if they are just standing in or have brought the place but this is in a very affulent area and the pub is in a very popular walking area it should be doing well !
oh well nice MG though
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AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL! .... will never go back!! Pubcritic61 is totally right about the landlady/barmaid, she couldn�t put down the drinks on the table as she was that inebriated i feared them going in my lap! Its was actually shocking/laughable how bad it was. Food was worse than school dinners..... so much was wrong..i cant list it all here...... Avoid it at all costs! New management please, please please, we need a nice gastropub not another 'worse than i can cook at home' affair!
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Came back to have another look, big mistake. What has happened?? Are those idiots 'Metor Inns' still the landlords?? God help us....this place is a disgrace. Make a nice house in my opinion.
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Went back in here the other day. What's happened?? Change of management (again, 5 in the last year I make it) manager looks like shes on something!!! Very bad indeed. From now on I'll keep driving to the Fox at North Waltham. Avoid at all costs.
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I can't understand the comment below by 'viccrown'. My husband and I have now eaten at the Fox aroud five times in the last 2 months. The food is very good traditional English fayer and has a very resonable selection (the fish and chips are highly recommended. Viccrown must have visited on a Tuesday as this is their 'Buy One Get One Free' day and usually some of the main dishes are not offered in this promotion (I know this because I've actually bothered to ask the very nice barmaid). As for the 'Dishevelled looking old woman' I suspect the name of the chef had not been changed on the board. I actually find Viccrown's comments regarding this lady insulting!!!
As for the page 3 pictures there are 2 photo's of Linda Lusardi near the end of the bar (fully clothed I must add) and they are not offensive in the least.
I suspect that Viccrown is a regular in the Crown at Axford and has something against the Fox. Don't listen to his comments, he is I suspect some Grumpy Old Git who needs to get a life!!!
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We went here for lunch on 20/10/09 and wow what a diffrence the new management have made!
Gone is the warm welcome, and friendly atmoshpere (it was like eating in a morgue). You can't pay by debit or credit card (when a business wants cash only, well?). Despite the wind rain and cold, the heating was off. The naff pictures of PAGE 3 models clash with the country decore some what.
There was a sign up tell us our chef today was Dan but unless Dan is a very dishevelled looking old woman....
The menu was limited.
The food was a disgrace, and being sold at half price, and still they only had 5 customers (including us) I had the fish cakes they were over cooked and had very little fish in them. My wife had the garlic bread The bread was toasted and the butter spread on top still part frozen?????
It is sad that this was the last good quality pub in the area! If people want to run a country pub then run it. This is like a weatherspoons in the middle of nowhere
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Under new management!!! New and exciting, and may I add, reasonably priced menu. Changing specials board and reasonably priced Sunday Lunch. I was told on my visit that there will be a 'Game Menu' starting in the autumn (can't wait). Only down side is service from the kitchen can be a tad slow. Good real ales with 4 on at any one time. 6X and London Pride appear to be on all the time. Try the HSB when it's on, it is normally in fantastic condition.
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What a lovely friendly welcoming pub, had a lovely meal there good was excellent and the landlord was welcoming and chatty will definately go back again.
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i really used to like this pub but im afraid it really has been run into the ground now. the staff are not as happy as they used to be and the menu is never changing. i dont even know if the owners are that bothered any more as i never see the landlord working! also i swear my gravy was granules that hadnt even been stired in correctly. i complained about this and said i could have made it from home but was told that i was wrong. unfortuneatley i dont think ill be going back there as there arent even any locals to talk to which a country pub really relys on for atmousphere
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We had a great meal here, it is the last pub in the area that is any good, and this one is great!
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my boyfirend took me to this pub the othernight and the service was excellent and there was a great selection of food. as i was driving i dint get to sample any of the wine or beer but there were alot of happy drinkers in
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throughly enjoyable for the whole family. we were made to feel welcome from start to finish with very attentive staff. the food had obviously been prepared with care and the prices were very reasonable. the menu mimiced the season with local pheasant on the board in new ways i had not seen before. it was very refreshing to see such delights in a tucked away part of hampshire
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we found a real gem this could possably be the best pub in hampshire fantastic rage of local ales real log fire to warm us great friendly locals food was fresh had the best sunday roast bar my mums. keep up the good work
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this is a warm friendly pub for all to enjoy with 6X and london pride as regular beers and two or more guest ales. friendly locals and happy staff make the experience all the more enjoyable. the food is all freshly prepared. i recently had the scallop starter which was to die for with a multitude of flavours coming through. very cenic for those winter walks as well.
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great pub cant fault it well kept beer nice barstaff and great food,
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Visited April 08 and found the staff very friendly, good selection of beers and the food at midday was excellent with good portions.
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new owners from our last visit great improvements.great real country pub fantastic food i had the fresh cornish hake my wife had Hampshire estate venison loin both to die for,good selection of real ales and clever wine sections on reasonally priced listthis pub is a must try
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this pub is in new hands of a great couple dave and lynn who realy know how to run a country pub great beer london pride,hsb,6x plus more.food was fantastic,(rabbit pie-fresh red mullet) small well lit dinning room with many locals enjoying the changes,our dog was made welcome in the bar.great walks,very friendly atmosphere.we will definately return
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Visited over the Easter break refreshingly quiet,no families on their "Lets go to a pub with swings on easter monday"(mainly due to the lack of swings !)
Had a very good reasonably priced meal and a couple of pints of 6x in the well kept garden.A pub worth seeking out for nice meal with the other half,as for the "swingers" all that was brought to my table was a nice Gammon and Chips !!
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I visited this pub a few years back and it was ... quirky. But my abiding memory was of a nice pub with the grottiest (male) loos I'd ever had the misfortune to use.
Revisited last night. Pub seems to have changed hands. The bar area has been revamped and is clean and light (though not overlit). Good well kept local(ish) real ales, plus usual lagers, Guinness etc. (from memory). Food was excellent too, prices were nearer restaurant than bar, but this was reflected in the quality. And finally they've given the loos a make over! All in all an excellent little pub.
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I agree a good location for walking and it is dog friendly.
The Landlord is �different� I agree but better to view it as part of the charm of a country pub that has been updated but kept a country pub look with a fire and the outside Gent loo�s. The food and ale have always been good and we go back quite regularly.
As for the swingers mentioned the closest we have seen is the friendly locals at the bar chatting as you order your beer!
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I think the landlord is actually very amusing rather than scary - a touch of the Basil Fawlty! The food is excellent, and as the pub is on a good walking route, for your ramblers, it's favourite of ours for either a weekend evening meal or a Sunday afternoon pint.
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Love the food here! but landlord is a bit scary...mind u i hear ellisfield is riddled with swingers...
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Can't fault this pub. My wife hates pubs but she'll gladly to this one. we like the food, the beer and the personal attention.
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Fox inn according to another web site was refurbished after the one visit logged so another visit may be worthwhile-I owned this pub in the early 80s and intend to make a visit shortly from abroad where I work
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If you are from outside the area The Fox is very difficult to find as it is in the middle of no-where. It was good when I last went there, but the welsh barman didn't call time and me and my girlfriend didn't know what the time was, so when we asked for a drink he asked us to leave. Very nice! It is under new management now so might be different. Just as a point of interest my old PE teacher lives in the cottages next door. If i was him I'ld have a pipe running from the cellar to the house!
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Although I suggested this pub I didn't add any comments due to the length of time since I last visited (I no longer live in the area). Heartening to hear the views posted by A Jones as I have fond memories of this place. Hope that the ale is as good as ever as I recall that they used to serve an excellent pint of Gales HSB.
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The pub is under new ownership and has just been refurbished. It is a very very traditional English pub. The decor is lovely and the food is excellent
A Jones - 9 Jul 2003 16:54 |
