Fox & Hounds Inn

I left feeling unwelcome and won't be returning. I stopped at the inn around 4 pm today after passing through Walden a few times and wanting to support a small village pub. I wasn't sure it was open from the bartender's expression, though I was the only customer. I ordered a pint of bitter and tried making conversation. He didn't seem interested, replying “I'm not the landlord” to a question. We sat only a few yards apart in the small bar, but he focused on the film on TV and the silence felt uncomfortable. The men's toilet had odd, unfriendly signs: one telling whoever was pulling the wall down to stop, and another warning not to flush blue paper towels. There was also a sign by the bay window saying something like “This is not a sitting area.” I've worked as a bartender, and greeting people with a smile and chatting a little are part of the job. There was none of that here, just a distinctly unwelcoming atmosphere or, at best, a lack of interest in customers. Even the way my pint was poured looked poor, a minor point, but I used to take pride in getting that right. It's a real shame, because this could be a smashing place in an incredible location, but the staff and atmosphere let it down. The signs could be worded more kindly. One by the exit asks customers sitting outside to return their glasses to the bar for safety, but bar staff should be collecting glasses regularly. I've done that job myself. You get one chance when someone walks through the door.

We walked over from our lodge with our dog and found a stunning pub in a perfect spot. The landlord, I think, was so friendly and welcoming, and the view made a lovely place to sit for a drink. We'll definitely return.

A real gem of a traditional village pub, with hearty pub grub and a great choice of beers. We visited twice while staying in the village and enjoyed the mix of locals, visitors and guests.

The Sunday roast platter had a generous amount of meat and vegetables, and the quality was much better than at the Heifer across the road.