A brilliant example of a village pub that has been rescued and revived with style and panache. Brother and sister business partners Adrian Slater and Tania Fossey have transformed the modest brick-built inn, formerly the Fox and Goose, into an expression of the same ‘affordable luxury’ ethos that they have applied so successfully to their bath, body and fragrance company Bayliss & Harding, with the same sky-high standards. A top-to-toe transformation has created a slick, sophisticated, cosy and comfortable place in which to drink, dine and stay – more like walking into a lovely private home than a pub, says one satisfied customer. The bedrooms, with big beautiful beds, Frette linens and contemporary fabrics, lack for nothing and the ‘Contemporary Cotswold’ food is locally sourced and seasonal with daily specials on the menu. This is the sort of place, small but perfect, where you can have a romantic supper or a family feast, a lazy lunch and a slap up breakfast, all in a pretty northern Cotswold hamlet close to Stratford-upon-Avon.
Stratford Upon Avon, home of William Shakespeare, is only a few miles away or stay closer to home and discover Shipston on Stour and the Cotswolds. The attractive market town of Shipston on Stour was a working Wool Town and derives its name from the ancient English ‘Scepwaeisctune’ meaning ’Sheep Wash Town’. It was known in Tudor times for the weaving of magnificent woollen tapestries and today it retains much of its traditional charm. The town is also the gateway to the Cotswolds and is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and the beautiful Cotswold destinations of Broadway, Stow on the Wold and Chipping Campden.
The Fuzzy Duck boasts the very popular soft-centred black pudding scotch duck eggs, scrumptious! Or tuck into Slow Roasted Lighthorne Lamb Shank, with Caramelised Shallot Creamed Potatoes, Cavolo Nero, Confit Garlic & Rosemary Gravy, (£18.50). Or why not try the Pan Fried Sea Bream Fillet, Rice Noodles and Malaysian Laska? Whatever your taste, there’s something on the menu to delight you.
Their very own Fuzzy Duck hand wash! The Fuzzy Duck, is renowned for its cocktails, which are now the inspiration behind the new collection of hand washes. The fragrances include the classic cocktails, Cosmopolitan, Gin & Tonic and Espresso Martini, along with the fresh and zesty scent of Ginger & Lime.
Nota Bene
The building used to house the Blacksmith for the area and then in the 18th Century became a popular Coaching Inn, it’s only 1 mile away from the famous Fosse Way!
