The Fox, Chipping Norton

Official site of The Fox - foxchippingnorton.com

Official site of The Fox - foxchippingnorton.com

An attractive and traditional looking stone built pub overlooking the market place, it’s a good size internally spilt over a couple of levels, and whilst it has clearly been renovated at some point and is thus not quite as traditional as might be expected, it nonetheless still has something of a rustic feel to it. Internally it’s divided in to several separate rooms, many of them denoted with names such as snug and parlour, with a few steps in between the upper and lower levels and these mostly wrap around the central bar counter. Décor wise they’re all broadly similar with sanded wooden boards on the floor along with some Victorian style tiling around the bar counter, a mixture of khaki green wood panelling and white plasterwork on the walls, and the odd old ceiling beam or two as a reminder of what it must have been like previously, as well as an old stone fireplace with a wood burning stove. The lower level was given over to dining, and a large wine rack made out of rustic wooden shelving entirely covered one wall. A few random pictures were dotted around the walls, including one of the Hook Norton Brewery and there was also a good sized beer garden. The menu offered a decent selection of pub grub dishes, as well as a few more adventurous options and a specials board. I opted for the smoked haddock risotto, and this was a decent and tasty dish. Beers on tap were all from Hook Norton with their Hooky, Old Hooky, Off The Hook and Hooky Gold, whilst a fifth pump appeared unused. The cider too was from the same brewer with their Hooky cider which was a new one on me. Overall, whilst a little more contemporary in style than the sort of pub I’d usually go for, the staff were friendly, the food was good and I’d happily return.

Another cracking pub in town. Sometimes in the Good Beer Guide but 2021 seems to be the year of the Chequers. I didnt see too much of the inside, it being a saturday night and me having not booked in the last saturday before Covid lock down 2. Looked like a posh gastropub with many dining tables. Outside saved the day with lovely sheltered booths, little fairy lights and some exceptional service from the staff who ensured you were looked after. Beer was superb - and a fitting last cask pint before god knows when.