Fox & Hounds, Cheswardine
Paul Naylor steps off the main road and finds a new eating spot to claim him as a regular.
Imagine yourself in an idyllic village. Narrow winding roads, cute cottages, picture postcard church and, at its heart, a warm and welcoming pub.
Imagine the Fox & Hounds at Cheswardine.
I must have driven along the A41 that links Newport to Market Drayton, and historic Chester beyond, hundreds of times over the years.
It is therefore reasonable to assume that I have passed the turn off to Cheswardine with barely a glance.
So, my first venture to this chocolate box village would be under the veil of darkness, on a damp autumn evening. Nevertheless, even shrouded in mist the beauty of Cheswardine is obvious.
The Fox & Hounds is easy to locate, situated opposite the church which sits proudly elevated, overseeing all that goes on in the streets below.
There is ample parking at the back of the hostelry, which from the front is reminiscent of The Woolpack from ITV1's Emmerdale.
Once inside, the pub oozes charm with nooks and crannies aplenty.
A group of locals sat at the bar talking football – naturally.
I ordered the drinks for my family, including a pint of Joule's pale ale (£2.75). Yes, this already promising looking evening just got better.
Of course the Fox & Hounds sells a wide range of alcoholic beverages, part of which consists of the full Joule's range, brewed in nearby Market Drayton, just 10 minutes away.
Julie and my children, Rachel and Matthew, each had a lemonade (£1.05 a glass).
I asked for some menus and the uber-pleasant barman opened a tab for me.
The bar area, at the hub of the pub is surrounded by three distinct zones.
There's a quiet room with a handful of tables, mostly for drinking at or overspill for dining during busier sittings.
A larger dining area is located at the back, with plenty of tables and although it was just approaching 6pm, the area was already busy.
The most popular zone next to the bar has a traditional crackling fire, flanked to the left by tables created from ale barrels and to the right, a cosy dining area overlooking the village roads.
This area is popular and must be booked. One couple, and their snoozing Labrador, were enjoying respite from the outside elements by the fireside.
The standard food menu is fairly limited because there is a vast array of specials, making best use of local and seasonal produce.
The ever-changing list on the blackboard means you could happily dine here all week and not tire of its great meals. And the food is great.
One dish on the menu was shouting loud 'try me, try me'. So I relented to the pork belly.
And what a fabulous choice. The tasty cider-braised pork belly (£8.95) is served simply with a deliciously creamy mash, cabbage and bacon pieces with a jus of wholegrain mustard, cider and cream.
Simply divine. Little wonder it is flagged up on the menu as the chef's signature dish.
Julie tried a sage and onion chicken dish from the specials board, served with bubble and squeak mash. At £9.95 it represented good value and, I am assured, was a good choice.
Matthew made light work of his chicken nuggets, chips and beans, £4.50 from the children's menu. Rachel selected from the same section, choosing the 6oz burger with chips and peas, again £4.50.
Both enjoyed their meals – almost as much as mum and dad.
Dessert time. The kids both opted for the chocolate brownie and my eye was well and truly caught by the bread and butter pudding (£3.95 each).
All were piping hot, served with our choice of custard – ice cream or cream are also available.
As I went to pay the rather respectable bill of £45.65, one lady, a villager, handed a small torch to the cheery barman who noted my puzzled expression.
"That's from the other night," he explained. "It's so dark out there this time of year that we lend locals torches to find their way home."
It was another nice touch from a pub that serves great hearty food and superb real ale in wonderful surroundings. I can only imagine how Christmassy it will feel in the weeks ahead.
Oh forget the imagining, I'll see you there soon.
ADDRESS
Fox & Hounds, High Street, Cheswardine, Market Drayton TF9 2RS
Tel: 01630 661244
