Star Rating: ****
The Fox at Chetwynd Aston is a jewel in the crown of Shropshire’s country pub scene. It has for a long time been one of my favourite haunts and one I have recommended to friends and family - and would do again.
Perfect for a relaxed lunch, a romantic drink in the summer sun, tea with friends or as a place to while away an afternoon, the Fox has something for everyone.
Nestled away just outside Newport, the Edwardian-style pub is smart on the outside and on the inside.
A busy bar boasting an abundance of beers, wines, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks forms the heart of the place, with a mix of numerous nooks and cosy corners dotted around.
It has a relaxed feel about it, with antique-style furniture adding a comfortable and laid-back feel and quirky posters and signs adding a touch of humour.
Its gorgeous terrace and garden, populated with picnic sets, provide a place for punters to relax and youngsters to play, and offer wonderful views across the countryside.
On this particular day, my boyfriend Rhys and I had decided to go for a walk up the Wrekin and reward ourselves with a long, leisurely lunch at the Fox.
But we were so looking forward to the lunch that we didn’t bother with the exercise and went straight for the grub.
When we arrived, there were tables to choose from, although many were reserved - a sign of the pub’s popularity.
We settled ourselves with some drinks and our obligitary ceramic pot of peanuts - a must in my view - and set about trying to decide what to choose. It took quite some time; we were spoiled for choice.
The menu options at the Fox change quite frequently, which means there is often something new to try out.
We didn’t have to wait long at all until our starters arrived.
I had ordered Mr Moyden’s smoked Newport cheese-and-leek croquettes, which arrived piping hot and with the most delicious and flavoursome chutney.
Rhys ordered leek-and-potato soup, which arrived in a massive bowl, with a huge wedge of bread. It was piping hot and full of flavour.
My croquettes were unusual. I liked the combination of the leeks and the cheese, I was just a little unsure about the texture. They were a winner with me nonetheless.
Our main courses arrived soon after we had polished off our starters. A huge plate of ham, egg and proper chips arrived for Rhys - a real traditional favourite.
Slices of firm pink ham were piled up on the plate, alongside a mountain of chips and perfectly cooked eggs - it certainly lived up to the term ‘favourite’: Rhys managed to polish off the lot.
I had decided on the char-grilled halloumi cheese on a roast vegetable and orange salad. The chargrilled cheese was perfect but I wasn’t too sure about the salad.
I’m not sure if the vegetables were meant to be warm or cold. They were lukewarm when they arrived, but were still bursting with flavour and very fresh.
Rhys was too full to manage a pudding but I made sure I saved some room.
After much deciding and mind changing, I settled on a choice of bread-and-butter pudding with apricot sauce and clotted cream.
Its soft texture and the fruitiness of the sauce provided a mouthwatering combination and, despite it’s huge size, I managed to polish it all off (with a little help from Rhys).
I love the feel of the Fox, with its tables of all shapes and sizes and its jumble of chairs.
The big windows and patio doors help to create a light and airy feel and illuminate the different areas of the pub nicely.
The pub’s open fires are a gorgeous feature, particularly in the winter, and the wooden flooring and rugs give it an air of quiet sophistication.
I have to say our visit wasn’t the best we have ever had but the Fox will remain one of our firm favourites and a place we will return to - hopefully very soon.
By Deborah Collins
MENU SAMPLE:
Starters: Ham hock hash with pea-and-mint purze (£5.25); Watermelon, feta and toasted pumpkin seed salad (£5.75).
Main courses: Loch Fyne smoked salmon and prawn salad (10.95); Buttercross farm pork-and-herb sausages with butter mash and onion gravy (£9.50); Eight-ounce beefburger with grilled bacon and mozzarella, coleslaw and proper chips (£9.50).
Desserts: Ginger parkin with roast peaches and vanilla ice-cream (£4.95).
Atmosphere: Relaxed.
Service: Efficient and understated.
Disabled Facilities: Full disabled access and disabled toilet.
Contact: The Fox, Pave Lane, Chetwynd Aston, (01952) 815940 www.brunningandprice.co.uk/pub13_1.html
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