CAMRA North Herts presented a well-deserved award for the Most Improved Pub to The Fox at Darley Hall.

The Fox is a Free House and was bought by Pete and Linda in April 2017. A very tasteful refurbishment followed and has transformed its previously tired and dull interior. Not only has the interior been transformed, the beer has as well! The pub was previously an example of how not to serve real ale and choosing a drinkable pint was a bit of a lottery (one that I never won!), even the keg beers were questionable. The Fox now has 4 very drinkable real ales; Oakhams’s Citra and Greene King IPA are regulars with two changing pumps, Leighton Buzzard’s Restoration being my current favourite.

The photo shows our chairman Gill presenting the plaque to Pete and Linda which now takes pride of place in the bar.

Pete and Linda are not new to the Pub business; they managed the Bright Star at Peter’s Green for a number of years back in 2010. To ensure the success of the Fox they have had input and advise from Ray and Jo who manage the Red Lion in Preston, our Pub Of the Year this year for the second time in a row, clearly a good knowledge source.

It’s not only the beer that has seen a transformation. The menu and food quality is becoming a big draw for customers too. Linda is a trained Chef and has revised the menu into a mixture of pub classics and more unusual dishes utilising locally sourced game when in season with the ubiquitous Sunday roast being one of the best around.

The Fox sits in a very small hamlet of a dozen houses so the local trade is limited however Pete and Linda have made the Fox very welcoming and customers are happy to return no matter how far they have travelled. My guess is that this will be one of number of awards the Fox will be picking up – well done guys!

Report by Malcolm Mills