The Fox Hole, Darlington

I have paid a few visits to this pub since it re-opened as the Fox Hole a few years ago. It is very much a gastro pub now and has been well described by Old Boots, but there is a large enough bar area (where you are also welcome to eat) and a more formal dining room off to the right. The bar area is split into two sections with the left having a separate entrance from the car park referred to as the "welly bar" where dogs are welcome. However you don't feel segregated from the rest of the pub in this section and it is certainly not scruffy or tatty. The food is decent and they usually have some specials on the chalk board. There is a separate kids' menu which has the usual child friendly stuff. Four hand pulls with three on at the time of my most recent visit. Two from Rudgate (Rudgate Bitter and Brew No.34 Dinga Dinga) and Great North Eastern Gold by Great North Eastern Brewing. I have found the beer is usually from local or regional breweries and has previously included stuff from Isaac Poad, Consett Ale Works, The Village Brewer and Mithril. Quality has always been spot on. As with a lot of gastro pubs, you sometimes feel they try a bit too hard on the service front, but on my most recent visit they had this just right, attentive and welcoming without being overbearing. If I'm in the area and I'm hungry, this is my go-to place and makes for a pleasant occasional treat.