I'VE always had a bit of a soft spot for Fox House.

It's been a starting point for many a ramble in the Peak District over the years and an equally good point of return. Now with No1 grandson having his own Longshaw walk, the inn is very much central to a well-deserved rest and refreshment.

History abounds at Fox House ... you can go way back to 1399 for the earliest known dwelling while the present day building dates back to 1823 although it was then known as the Fox and Goose.

Samuel Thompson-Walker was the first innkeeper – there's list of them on the wall – while the current licensee is Neil Grant and his wife Jessica who have been at the helm for the last three years.

It's been under the Vintage Inns banner for 10 years which inevitably means you're drawn into the 'chain game.' As is the case with most chain pubs, a fair amount is freshly prepared but a number of dishes are brought in which is no bad thing as long as the quality doesn't suffer. It's really a question of you pays your money and makes your choice.

Kitchen manager Brett Stringer from Sheffield heads up the foodie side along with chef brothers George and Toby Bates from Grindleford who are able to get their creative juices flowing with a specials board.

The menu covers everything from starters and light bites to pub classics, mains, various steaks, lamb cutlets and gammon from the chargrill, salads and sandwiches. There's also a children's menu.

The clientele is equally far-reaching, from ramblers to hardened walkers, climbers, families, business people and day-trippers.

We'd been out walking but decided that two courses would be sufficient. Mains and desserts won the day only to discover later that none of the puddings was homemade - how about one on the specials board?

I chose the braised beef (£10.95) from the five-strong specials which also included sea bass (£12.75), meatballs (£8.45) and two vegetarian options, butternut squash and goats cheese lasagne and mushroom and sweet potato risotto, both around the £7 mark.

The slow-cooked shin beef had that lovely melt-in-the-mouth texture with a deliciously rich red wine gravy, bacon pieces and a large 'baby' onion. It was served with creamy gratin potatoes, mushrooms and sugar snaps.


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M declined the pub classics, which included beef, mushroom and Guinness pie, beer-battered fish and chips, sausages and mash and handmade fishcakes (from £6.50 to £7.95) and decided on the luxury fisherman's pie from the mains. It turned out to be very light and full of flavour. Served in its own dish, it was packed with salmon, cod, smoked haddock and king prawns in a cream and wine sauce and topped with cheesy mash potato. The pie came with sugar snaps and carrot batons.

Other dishes included grilled sea bass fillets (£12.50), beef and lamb curries (£7.95), Hunter's chicken (£8.25), organic salmon (£9.95), duck leg confit (£9.75) and braised stuffed pork (£8.95).

Desserts were pleasant enough although my apple Eve's pudding (£4) was a little too sweet while M's rhubarb and raspberry crumble (£3.75), which had the added bonus of raspberry ripple ice cream and custard, was mega-sized and could easily have been shared.

Fox House certainly delivers as far as the wine is concerned.

It's an impressive list of world-wide classics and personal favourites, with prices ranging from £9.25 to £18.50 and each one is available by the glass.

And there's more... four wines on draught, three whites and a red which you can have by the glass (175ml or 250ml) or carafe (75cl or one litre). Prices, of course, vary depending on the wine.

We tried the chardonnay and were impressed – cool, with a real fruity edge (£2.30 and £3.25 per glass; £7.25 and £10.50 per carafe).

Summer drinks were another plus. Six ciders, a selection of long drinks, including Pimms, available by the glass or the pitcher, juices (all £1.25) and a choice of fruity 'refreshers' which could be mixed with either soda, lemonade or water.

Various speciality teas and coffees are also available (from around £1.80) along with a choice of six liqueur coffees (£3).

The total food bill came to £27.20.

Verdict: Chain reaction? I suppose it depends how you define 'freshly prepared' but we certainly couldn't find fault with the mains and the price is just about right. The wine and the fruit drinks are definite plus factors. Friendly service.

Food available: Monday to Saturday: Noon-10pm; Sunday until 9.30pm (Sunday roasts £7.25 served with fresh vegetables). Order at the bar.

Fox House, Hathersage Road, Longshaw. Call 01433 630374.

Ten en-suite rooms, including single, double and family rooms are available.