The Fox Inn

We had a very relaxed four-night stay after my 70th birthday. Our super king room was spacious and very comfortable, with a large modern bathroom. The staff were wonderful and attentive, and the food was superb. We never felt rushed over meals, and definitely hope to return before too long.

The beef cooked two ways was delicious, and the roast pork had perfectly done crackling. There were generous portions of vegetables with delicious gravy. The Sunday menu was fairly basic, but had enough choice: roast pork, beef cooked two ways with a generous slice of roast and beautifully braised beef, plus a vegetarian option. We enjoyed a really scrumptious lunch and a nice selection of wines and soft drinks. We’d come to The Fox at Ansty to catch up with friends, and the pub felt warm and welcoming despite the miserable weather. Service was excellent and unhurried, just right for us. We stayed nearly four hours and were never hurried along. Food, drinks and coffees came to a very reasonable £35 a head with a 10% tip. My only regret is not taking photos. Highly recommended, we’ll be back.

I had to leave before breakfast began at 8am, so the team put together a takeaway with a sausage bap, crisps, fruit and a bottle of juice. I’d stayed at The Fox on a recommendation because of the food, and dinner lived up to it: a stunning pie with a lovely pint of Purbeck Gold Cider in the bar. The room was very, very clean, with great facilities, a well-stocked tea tray, a comfy bed and a smart, clean en-suite. The Fox has a great rural setting and plenty of charm even in winter. I’ll look to stay again next time I’m in the area.

Our large family lunch before Christmas was in a lovely venue, though it was a little underlit. The staff were friendly. Since there were 15 of us, we’d pre-ordered from the Christmas menu, but waited quite a while for starters. They were really excellent once they arrived, and the mains took a long time too. The slow-cooked beef with dauphinois was a great success, and the turkey with its trimmings was very tasty. The only letdown was the roast potatoes, which were dry and undercooked. We’d hoped for crispy outsides and fluffy middles to go with the other well-cooked dishes. Still, it was good enough that we might return for family gatherings or Sunday lunch.