Within close proximity to Hinton Ampner, a National Trust, stately home and gardens property, sits the The Fox Inn, a 17th century, country pub. Located on the A272 and close to the A3 and A31, it is halfway between Winchester and Petersfield.
Just drive straight off the road into an ample car park. There is a lawn, walled in terraced area and fruit trees with plenty of outdoor seating, if you prefer the open air. It is a dog friendly environment with plenty of walks around.
Inside, is spacious with an open plan bar, log fires and black beams.
Bed and Breakfast is also offered – fancy ‘glamping’?. You can have a luxury night’s sleep in their shepherd huts.There is also a hut with a shower and toilet fitted for use during your stay.
Real country ales are offered along with English, traditional home cooked food.Menus are varied with starters from £4.50 – £5.75 and include home-made soup, pate, Bramdean smoked trout, whitebait, Lambs Kidneys and pan fried tiger prawns. Main courses range from £10.50 – £19.95 and offer fish, homemade pie, Chargrilled Hampshire steaks, liver, risotto, and stilton and broccoli tart with salad. Quite various and there is also an option of ‘sharing boards.’
The staff are friendly and courteous and we certainly enjoyed our choice of dishes as well as the lovely window table with it’s view outside and a cute little fox statue sitting next to me on the window sill!
Historically, The Fox saw Cromwell’s soldiers and King’s Army march by when the battle at Cheriton took place in 1644. This battle changed the course of the Civil War.
The Fox was 200 years old when the Prince of Wales (George IV) dropped in for refreshment with his entourage. In memory of the hospitality given to the Prince, he granted the landlord the right to display his famous crest. The ‘three feathers’ and motto, Ich Dien, carved in oak, can still be seen today, fixed on the exterior of this inn.
Certainly worth a visit if travelling in this locality.
