Tucked away in a hidden valley in the hamlet of Dalehouse, near Staithes, the Fox & Hounds is something of a hidden gem among locals - there is no website to speak of, although there is a Facebook page which offers occasional updates.
From the outside, the Fox & Hounds looks like any other conventional boozer, but step inside and you will find yourself in a delightful little watering hole, unspoiled and untouched by TV screens, piped music or gastropub menus. Carpets are red and swirly, stools are covered in Dralon, horse brasses are pinned to the beams and hunting prints clutter the walls, while a Union Jack carpet and throw pillows show this is a proudly British boozer.
The Fox & Hounds is unapologetically old school, and so are the customers – usually a handful of locals in flat caps sharing tips from The Racing Post. The back room is equally quaint and very comfortable: armchairs, sofas, beaten copper-topped tables and a fire burning in the stove to keep punters warm on cooler evenings. As for the food menu, it was historically made up of cheap and cheerful pub grub, although in recent years a few more contemporary takes have been added to the mix - think ‘proper’ steak pie with peas and chips, alongside the more contemporary likes of chicken with grapes, lemon and cream, served alongside potatoes and vegetables.
Fox & Hounds has also taken some inspiration from the international larder in recent times, adding globally-inspired dishes such as king prawns fried in chilli and garlic and served on a bed of noodles, as well as two curries - a beef madras or chicken jalfrezi, both served alongside rice and naan bread. You can pair your curry with a beer is from Suffolk boys Adnams, and don’t worry too much about Fox & Hounds hurtling into the 21st century - it’s still a cash-only establishment.