Fox Inn Rudgwick.
So, a horse walks into a pub. Seriously, it does! It’s not a set up for a joke but an event that takes place at the Fox Inn Rudgwick, every Christmas day! Read on for more details!
The Fox Inn Rudgwick is technically in Bucks Green, but you’d be hard-pressed to find it on a map if you are not local, so I have listed it as Rudgwick, which is the nearest larger village.
Table of Contents
Key Info
As usual on these reviews, we were not paid to do it, we paid for our own food and drink out of our own pockets and the staff had no idea we were reviewing! Therefore, I feel our review is exactly as you would experience when visiting the pub.
Fox Inn Rudgwick – Historic Pubs of Sussex
Firstly, the Fox Inn Rudgwick is cosy. But, I don’t mean small. It just has a cosy feel. This pub is a recent discovery for me, and I was very impressed both with the food and with the staff. I like to find Historic Pubs wherever I go, and the Fox did not disappoint.
Fox Inn Rudgwick – Food
Fox Inn Rudgwick Menu
Of course, menus change all the time. Check out the pub website link below for up to date menus. But, above, is the menu we were presented with by our waiter. Choosing the Smoked Lamb Belly, Colcannon and Braising Liquor, as I’d never had it before. For those who don’t know what Colcannon is, (me included until I looked it up!) it is mashed potato and kale.
Indeed, the Lamb was tender and juicy and importantly, not too much fat. Lamb Belly can be very fatty, to be sure, and it’s a balance that I feel The Fox got right. Fat adds to the flavour but too much is yukky, so well done to the chef!
Tam, my long-suffering partner in crime and the designated driver, went for the burger. Which, according to her, was sublime. And, undoubtedly, better than my homemade burgers! High praise indeed for The Fox.
The music was a quiet volume, allowing conversation with ease. Also, the music was not offensive in any way. Personally, I hate having to shout at my dinner partner just to be heard and I know you are the same! So, it ticks that box. My pairing with the lamb was the Rioja, as can be seen below
Fox Inn – Historic Pubs of Sussex
A Bridle Way through the Fox Inn Rudgwick
Yes, that ‘Horse walks into a bar’ is true. At least every Christmas Day. The history of the pub explains why. There are three buildings which make up the Fox Inn. However, the individual buildings were extended over the years. The oldest part, currently the restaurant, was built in the 1600s and known as Franklin Hook. Then, probably due to popular demand, the parish poorhouse was added next door in the 1800s.
Fox Inn Rudgwick – The new bit
The two buildings were separated by a bridleway. Strangely, the two buildings were joined together in the early 1900s, therefore making one large building. However, the bridleway remained! To be sure, I do mean strangely!
The Bridleway – Historic Pubs of Sussex
Bridleway Info
Technically, a Bridle Path can be used at any time of the day or night. So, if a horse and rider knock on the door, even at 3 am, the landlord has to give the admittance! He’d have to open the front and back door so that the horse and rider can ride through!
As can be seen above, the red brick path runs through the pub. It runs from the front door straight through to the back door. From there you can see the bridleway head off through the beer garden. You may think this alone is an unusual sight in a pub, but should you be there at 12 noon on the 25th December things get even more extraordinary! The bridleway is still used!
Fox Inn Rudgwick Instagram picture – Click on the photo to see their Instagram
Also, to keep the bridleway active, a horse is taken through the pub every year on Christmas day. Sometimes led, sometimes ridden, but always to the amazement of the crowds packing the pub to see the bizarre sight! A lovely Historic Pub of Sussex.
Fox Inn Rudgwick- Conclusions
So, in short, yes. The Fox Inn Rudgwick undoubtedly ticks a lot of boxes for me. A good Historic Pub, bags of character, good food, a decent wine selection and plenty of history. It’s a welcome addition to my list, Historic Pubs of Sussex. Also, it scores an impressive 4 out of 5 on TripAdvisor.
Kitchen Hours
Mon-Thu 12.00-15.00 & 18.00-21.30
Fri 12.00-15.00 & 17.00-21.30
Sat 12.00-21.30
Sun 12.00-19.30
Google Maps – Click on the Map for Directions
Fox Inn – Address
Bucks Green,
Horsham,
West Sussex
RH12 3JP
Tel: 01403 822386
There is parking just off the main road but the pub car park proper is down the side road.
To reiterate, I don’t do paid reviews and I only include pubs that have something notable about them. However, If you know a pub that you think would make a good addition to this list, for historical or quirky reasons, leave a comment below in the ‘Post a Comment‘ section right at the bottom of the page. If it looks interesting, I will do one of my stealth visits and the review will be posted here. Not every pub makes the cut – perhaps three quarters do for various reasons. And the various reasons for a pub not making the cut are; bad service, bad food, bad experience and just plain boring..!
For the rest of my Historic Pubs of Sussex list, see below
The Duke of Cumberland Arms – Henley
All prices correct at time of writing.
If you are looking for Historic Pubs in Surrey, click here.
Disclaimer: In short, some of the links on this site are affiliate links. These means that if you click on the link and buy the item, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The money helps go towards the upkeep of the site – so it’s a win-win for both of us! Any videos used on this site if not my own, are, of course, used within Youtube’s sharing guidelines…
The Fox Inn Rudgwick – Historic Pubs of Sussex