What’s The Fox Inn like?
This family-run village pub is perfectly located for exploring Suffolk, being just off the A12. It is renowned for its friendly atmosphere and upmarket pub grub and the coast is just a short drive away. Darsham is a designated Dark Skies Village. The owners also run The Poacher’s Pocket, 10 minutes away in Carlton.
How dog-friendly is The Fox Inn?
Excellent. You’ll need to bring your own beds and food but the garden rooms have their own secure outdoor areas, which is a massive bonus. Dogs are also welcome everywhere inside the pub, from the bar to the snug to the den. There is a big jar of treats for visiting pooches, too. The enthusiastic young staff make dogs and their owners feel very welcome. And, best of all, there is no additional charge for pets to stay overnight.
Tell me more about The Fox Inn
There are three rooms available in an annexe adjacent to the pub. Two of them have their own private gardens while the other is upstairs. All welcome dogs. We stayed in Garden Room One, which was incredibly spacious and decorated in a country style. The main room contained a comfy double bed, two armchairs and a table and chairs for two, plus a kitchenette. Keep reading to find out more about it. From here, a set of French doors opened on to a large deck and garden, complete with a bench and table and chairs. This was completely secure and had lots of lovely, well-established plants as well as views over the surrounding fields.
The en-suite shower room was equally spacious and had complimentary shower gel. There were also several large storage cupboards containing things like an ironing board, dustpan and brush, hairdryer and extensive range of books and DVDs. There was also a welcome pack containing the owners’ tips for local pubs, cafes and attractions. Considering the rooms were located just off the pub car park and beer garden, we didn’t experience any noise during our stay. The only thing I’d say we missed was WiFi – which is available in the pub but did not stretch to the rooms.
What’s the food like at The Fox Inn?
Fantastic. Whether you fancy fish and chips or sausage and mash, expect traditional pub grub with an upmarket twist. There are also seven different “Famous Fox Burgers” to choose from and all of the food is locally sourced. I can particularly vouch for the Plant-Based Burger, which comes with Applewood smoked vegan cheese, fried pickles and garlic sauce. The Sunday roasts are excellent too and you can always pimp your meal with sides like mac & cheese and parmesan and truffle fries.
All dishes can be served to your room free of charge but there is absolutely no pressure to eat at the pub. If you’d rather cook your own meals, you have the use of a wonderfully well-equipped kitchenette. Ours had a fridge, toaster, kettle, sink, microwave and double hotplate – handy, as the pub does not serve breakfast. We also had complimentary tea, coffee, milk and condiments, as well as two cafetieres, a teapot and everything you’d need to tidy up, from washing up liquid to cloths, sponges, tea towels.
Are there resident dogs at The Fox Inn?
No, but if you’re lucky, you may bump into the owners’ dog Bella, who often pops in to say hello.
Where are the best dog walks near The Fox Inn?
For a quick leg-stretch, explore Darsham itself. There’s a village green a short walk from the pub, surrounded by a new housing estate. You can also follow the main road down to All Saints Church, which is approximately a 20-minute walk from The Fox. Darsham Marshes, just south of the village, also makes for a lovely walk. This nature reserve, which is maintained by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust spans 21 hectares. Visiting dogs must be kept on lead.
It would be a shame to come to this part of Suffolk and not visit the coast though. The nearest beaches to the pub can be found in Dunwich and Walberswick, pictured above. Both are a mix of sand and stones, and are surrounded by acres of heathland. For more suggestions when it comes to walks and dog-friendly things to see and do locally, check out our Ruff Guide to Southwold, Aldeburgh and Dunwich.
What Ernie and Stan loved about The Fox Inn
Having their own garden to explore, the fuss from staff, the quiet location
What I loved about The Fox Inn
Everything!
How to book The Fox Inn
Rooms start from £85 per night. Breakfast is not included. To book, call 01728 668436 or visit The Fox Inn website.