The fox free house — Restaurant in Mid Sussex

If anyone reading this is considering eating at The Fox Inn, I would strongly recommend you take the time to read my review before making a final decision.

I have never had an experience as terrible as I did eating at The Fox, and I am honestly still in disbelief and shock that it happened. What makes this experience even worse than it already is, is the fact it happened whilst out for a family meal, celebrating my Grandmother's 84th Birthday.

Myself, Wife, Grandmother and Brother-In-Law ate at The Fox on Saturday evening. As we were approaching the pub, a man who appeared to be in his 30s, was swinging from the chains outside holding on to a dog. As we got closer to open the door of the pub, he started swearing at us, telling us we're not welcome. We ignored him due to his obvious drunken state, and entered the pub.

The pub was quiet and we were shown to our table in an empty room. As we sat down the same person from outside came into the room and sat down at the table opposite us, facing our direction. Whilst he walked to his table to sit down, his dog jumped up at our table and knocked the cutlery on the floor, which shows he had no control of the pet.

He begin talking to us, asking us inappropriate questions, deliberately trying to get a reaction. I asked the man if he wouldn't mind leaving us alone as we were celebrating my Grandmothers birthday, but he then started being aggressive. I wasn't having any of it, so spoke to the landlord immediately and made them aware we were being harassed. The landlord apologised and told the man he had to move to the other side of the pub. He didn't.

It took about 20 minutes for this man to move, and I had to ask the landlord 3 times to move him because he refused. During this time he continued to swear at us, and made sexual and explicit comments to my wife whilst in the company of my Grandmother and Brother-In-Law. We discussed leaving the pub, but decided against it as the only other pub in the village (The Cat) was fully booked.

After the man left the room, we didn't hear much from him, although he came back into the room another 2 times throughout the evening and just stood and stared at us. Other diners were in the room at this point and they were all starting at him in disbelief. He looked a mess and was dressed like a 15 year old. He had slit cut eye brows, a baseball cap, puffer jacket, dirty black Jean's and cuts on his face.

It was clear he was a friend of the landlords and someone who is in the pub often, judging by his behaviour and arrogance. He kept going behind the bar, was letting his dog roam free, and was harassing anyone who walked past without a care in the world.

As we left the pub and were walking to our car, we saw the same man towering over another customer who was sat on his own eating a meal. The drunk man had his fist in this person's face, and the customer immediately stood up and punched. The drunk idiot ran behind the bar holding his head. This was the highlight of the light and a clear indication he was delibrately causing trouble for a reaction which he got.

I just can't believe we had to endure this behaviour and the landlords thought it was acceptable to keep him in the premise after so many complaints. They apologised several times which I appreciated, but at the end of the day they are responsible for him and should have done more. He should have been thrown out immediately. They're excuse was 'He's drunk, and doesn't usually act like this, please don't judge us based on this'. At the end of the day, the landlord sold him the alcohol which put him in that state, and they have a responsibility to ensure their customers are safe from violence and harassment, and they failed miserably. The food was good, but I would never return. We weren't even offered any complimentary drinks, or discounts off our meal.

If you're considering going to this pub, I would avoid it at all costs and instead book The Cat. I have eaten at The Cat several times and it truly is a stunning restaurant with class...

The Fox is one of those rare places that somehow manages to combine the cosy and hospitable atmosphere of a real local gem with a menu that would rival any high end, modern European restaurant in London.

The attention to detail and emphasis on quality seasonal, produce is a refreshing antidote to the usual “gastropub” fare that one would expect to find in an establishment where you would actually want to go for a pint.

So seamlessly have they managed to blur the line between village pub and fine dining restaurant that the head chef will often appear from the kitchen mid service to catch up with locals and make jokes with strangers at the bar.

The Fox Eating and Drinking House is a real life representation of the kind of local tavern you read about in old romantic novels where the owner is always cheerful, the fire is always burning, and the food is always so exceptional that it makes you long for days gone by.

I rarely leave written reviews of restaurants but having been so charmed and seduced by my two visits to the Fox I thought it would only be fair to put a true representation of my experience into words.

The Fox is a special place. It’s worth seeking out for a day trip and to pass by without stopping in for a drink and a bite to eat would be nothing short...

Following a day at Wakehurst we looked for a pub to eat and were very fortunate to decide upon the Fox. The staff and customers were all friendly and helpful, the drinks were good value and there was a good variety on offer. The Harveys was a really well kept beer, thoroughly enjoyable. The setting was good with a patio in the sun till 7pm, but the real highlight was the food. The menu was varied and not just the normal pub fare. I had the roast haunch of venison, with potato rosti, creamed leeks and a peppercorn jus and my wife had the roast chicken, bacon and avocado salad with some triple cooked chips. It was all very well cooked and presented and tasted delicious. A lot of care and attention had gone into preparing the food which in my opinion put the dishes in some top restaurants to shame. Thanks for a great end to a lovely day and we will certainly look to come and eat at...