Fox Covert Inn, Yarm

A long thin pub, in the country although very close to the Teesside conurbation of Ingleby Barwick, a small cottage which appears to have expanded into neighbouring buildings over the years to produce a sizeable pub. To some extent the style and service is like a restaurant, one end of the building is in fact a dining room with the bar area in the middle by the main entrance . The other end of the building is more like a pub lounge in furnishing and décor although meals appear to be taken anywhere during the day. Tables and chairs in the dining room of course, with benches, Britannia tables, armchairs and even a settle in the lounge providing the seating. There are exposed ceiling beams in the large, open bar area which being affixed with small shields of noble families aspires to a mediaeval look although overall it's more of a modern take on Regency style with Victorian and Edwardian touches. Cream tongue and groove below and cream walls with tasteful 18th Century caricatures, alongside maps, photos etc, above. Two handpulls with a less than inspired choice of Theakstons Old Peculier or Deuchars IPA, both very well kept and the Deuchars certainly benefited from being rather chilly. The pub is a long term GBG entrant and has been Pub of the Season as certificates behind the bar counter show. Fairly standard line up of lagers from Fosters, Stella, Carling and Becks, the usual Guinness and Strongbow combination, the only surprises being John Smith's Magnet as well as their Smooth plus Tetley's Imperial. By the car park is an outside seating area with picnic benches.

Official site of the Fox Covert - www.thefoxcovert.com

Official site of the Fox Covert - www.thefoxcovert.com