Surrey


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where"><strong>WHAT? WHERE?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/03/Foxhills-01.jpg" alt="Foxhills resort" class="wp-image-45613" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/03/Foxhills-01.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/03/Foxhills-01-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/03/Foxhills-01-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/03/Foxhills-01-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/03/Foxhills-01-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/03/Foxhills-01-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This upmarket country club hotel sits just outside the village of Ottershaw, in the heart of the Surrey countryside near Chertsey.&nbsp;It&#8217;s a heavenly country house hotel with an extensive range of leisure facilities including three golf courses, 11 tennis courts and five swimming pools, plus established woodlands and gorgeous landscaped gardens. There&#8217;s also a spa and a gym, plus fitness studios.</p>



<p>There’s no denying the golf and leisure facilities are a highlight, but Foxhills has far more to offer besides &#8211; especially for foodies. </p>



<p>The stunning, Gothic revival house &#8211; home to the formal Fox Dining Rooms and Manor Lounge &#8211; sits in the heart of a 400 acre estate which dates back to the 1780s. It&#8217;s the former home of playboy politician Sir Charles James Fox and as destination dining goes, it&#8217;s pretty spectacular. Afternoon tea is served daily in the Manor House, and in the evening the award-winning Fox Dining Rooms offer a thoughtful and creative à la carte menu. There&#8217;s also an outdoor terrace for long and leisurely summertime lunches.</p>



<p>The resort is close to both Guildford and Woking, and about an hour from central London. Heathrow Airport is 20 minutes away, and the M25 and M3 are both just 10 minutes away and easily accessible.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe"><strong>THE VIBE</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-52.jpeg" alt="Foxhills Resort in Surrey" class="wp-image-53161" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-52.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-52-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-52-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-52-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-52-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s plenty of wow at Foxhills Resort which starts the moment you wind up the driveway. It&#8217;s flanked on either side by woodlands, fairways and manicured lawns.</p>



<p>The Gothic revival manor house is the undisputed centrepiece, but the resort spreads itself out. Accommodation is dotted around various idyllic locations including a cobbled courtyard with a swimming pool and woodland areas. And there&#8217;s a dedicated family hub called The Pavilion featuring indoor and outdoor swimming pools, soft play areas, a games room, crèche and an art studio, plus the family restaurant, Flo’s. The HealthSpa is also housed in a separate building which opens out onto an enclosed zen garden which features a natural swimming pool purified by plants and minerals, plus an outdoor hot tub and sauna cabin.</p>



<p>But let&#8217;s talk for a moment about the spectacular manor house which has been beautifully designed by Alex Michaelis who also created the interiors at Soho House and The Groucho Club. It&#8217;s dramatic and decadent with quirky touches like striking murals and bold colours.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff"><strong>SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-51.jpeg" alt="The dining room at Foxhills Resort in Surrey" class="wp-image-53160" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-51.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-51-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-51-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-51-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-51-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There are three main dining areas: the Terrace, the Music Room and the Orangery, as well as a patio overlooking the grounds, a bar and more casual lounges. Upstairs, there are several elegant private function rooms.</p>



<p>Keen to make the most of the decadent dining at Foxhills, we arrived mid afternoon for afternoon tea (and yes, after a spell at the HealthSpa, we are returning for dinner). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-afternoon-tea">Afternoon tea</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-32.jpeg" alt="Afternoon tea at Foxhills Resort in Surrey" class="wp-image-53157" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-32.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-32-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-32-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-32-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-32-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Afternoon tea at Foxhills is an indulgent affair. Tea lovers will be in their element &#8211; there&#8217;s a choice of 10 teas with everything from Persian rose to green sencha and masala chai. But you can also order coffee, if you&#8217;d prefer. I chose the jasmine pearls, a rich floral tea. A glass of Champagne arrives soon after, and then the beautifully presented tiered platters of sweet and savoury goodies.</p>



<p>I&#8217;ve skipped lunch for this, so head straight for the sarnie selection which includes prawn marie rose and gem lettuce on white bread; ham and celeriac remoulade on tomato bread, pickled cucumber and black pepper cream cheese on white; beetroot egg mayo on granary; and rocket pesto chicken on white. They&#8217;re fresh and wonderfully tasty. I nibble on a homemade cheese straw before delving into the sweet treats. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-44.jpeg" alt="Afternoon tea at Foxhills Resort in Surrey" class="wp-image-53159" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-44.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-44-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-44-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-44-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-44-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>And now where to start? The rhubarb and custard macaroon seems like a good place &#8211; light and refreshing, not too sweet, but just sweet enough. I move onto the passionfruit meringue pie, then the salted caramel Paris-brest &#8211; all delish. The Espresso dark chocolate marquise was rich and heavenly. Not sure I could have more than one though!</p>



<p>Finally, I moved onto the scones, laden with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Gorgeous. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dinner">Dinner</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="853" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/04/Foxhills-the-fox-dining-rooms.jpg" alt="The Fox dining room at Foxhills Resort in Surrey." class="wp-image-47091" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/04/Foxhills-the-fox-dining-rooms.jpg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/04/Foxhills-the-fox-dining-rooms-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/04/Foxhills-the-fox-dining-rooms-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/04/Foxhills-the-fox-dining-rooms-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/04/Foxhills-the-fox-dining-rooms-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/04/Foxhills-the-fox-dining-rooms-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>A walk around the grounds and a couple of hours at the HealthSpa later and I&#8217;m back in the sumptuous surrounds of the Fox Dining Rooms. The menus are based around fresh, locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients with dishes like tempura cod cheeks and chestnut mushroom velouté on the starters list, and roasted lamb rump and miso glazed kohlrabi on the mains.</p>



<p>It&#8217;s the ideal spot for a celebration dinner, but also wonderful for a family get-together or romantic dinner for two. The food is creative and fancy, but there&#8217;s also a good choice. My starter of the chestnut mushroom velouté was rich and flavoursome. Mr M&#8217;s cured salmon and trout mosaic starter was light, vibrant and pretty on the eye. So far so good &#8211; both excellent choices, super tasty and beautifully presented.</p>



<p>There&#8217;s a good selection of wine, with something to cover all tastes and budgets.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-food-cod-Credit-Milly-Fletcher-259.jpg" alt="Food at Foxhills in Surrey." class="wp-image-53162" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-food-cod-Credit-Milly-Fletcher-259.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-food-cod-Credit-Milly-Fletcher-259-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-food-cod-Credit-Milly-Fletcher-259-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-food-cod-Credit-Milly-Fletcher-259-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-food-cod-Credit-Milly-Fletcher-259-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Then it was onto the pan-roasted cod with cauliflower, fennel jam apple and dill beurre blanc for me. And for the Mr, it was the roasted lamb rump with lamb-fat carrot, lovage and anchovy pesto and goats curd. Both dishes were superbly cooked and beautifully presented. </p>



<p>For pudding we shared a pineapple carpaccio and a mango cheesecake, which were both lovely.</p>



<p>The next morning for breakfast, there’s a buffet of cereals, compote, yoghurt and pastries alongside a good selection of hot goodies including bacon, sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes, baked beans, scrambled egg and hash browns. You can also order from a breakfast menu.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay"><strong>STAY</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-12.jpeg" alt="A deluxe suite at Foxhills Resort in Surrey" class="wp-image-53155" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-12.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-12-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-12-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-12-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-AE-April23-12-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There are 66 bedrooms at Foxhills ranging from deluxe suites to standard rooms, and including family suites. All are beautifully turned out in calming neutrals or greens. Most rooms have a bath and walk-in shower and all have bathrobes and slippers.</p>



<p>Our deluxe suite was extravagantly appointed with luxe velvet sofas, stylish lamps, gilt mirrors and a superking bed. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kid-friendly"><strong>KID-FRIENDLY?&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-4445.jpg" alt="A child playing golf at Foxhills Resort in Surrey." class="wp-image-53163" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-4445.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-4445-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-4445-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-4445-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-4445-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Foxhills was named ‘Best for Families’ at the 2023 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence – which says it all really. As well as the huge array of activities for children, and the amenities and family restaurant in The Pavilion, there are family suites with interconnecting rooms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>AND DOGS, TOO?</strong></h2>



<p>Aside from guide dogs, four-legged friends are not permitted at Foxhills.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>DISABILITY ACCESS</strong></h2>



<p>Yes, it offers wheelchair access, reduced mobility rooms, and facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, call ahead to confirm.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about"><strong>OUT &amp; ABOUT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-zen-spa-garden.jpg" alt="The spa garden at Foxhills resort in Surrey." class="wp-image-53164" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-zen-spa-garden.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-zen-spa-garden-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-zen-spa-garden-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-zen-spa-garden-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-zen-spa-garden-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>With the leisure facilities on offer at Foxhills – including the two championship golf courses, Bernard Hunt and Longcross – there’s plenty here to keep you entertained. But if you do fancy venturing further afield Thorpe Park is less than 10 minutes by car and Legoland Windsor is about 20 minutes away. Brooklands Museum and Mercedes Benz World are 14 minutes away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-manor-house-at-night.jpg" alt="Foxhills manor house light up at night." class="wp-image-53153" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-manor-house-at-night.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-manor-house-at-night-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-manor-house-at-night-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-manor-house-at-night-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-manor-house-at-night-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-manor-house-at-night-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/04/Foxhills-manor-house-at-night-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> An unhurried, fine dining pamper treat or celebration with friends and family. The afternoon tea and the à la carte menu will suit both traditionalists and the more epicurious. The attention to detail and friendly, polished service really allows you to kick back and enjoy yourself.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Likewise, the quality and service more than justifies the price tag but it&#8217;s not somewhere you’d nip to on a whim.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> A traditional afternoon tea at Foxhills is £30 per person Mon to Thurs and £35 per person Fri to Sun. The Champagne afternoon tea is £44 Mon to Thurs and £49 Fri to Sat. Dinner in the Fox Dining Rooms is around £50 per person without wine.</p>



<p><em><strong><a href="https://www.foxhills.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Foxhills</a>, Stonehill Road, Ottershaw, Surrey, KT16 0EL. Tel:&nbsp;<a href="tel:01932 872050">01932 872050</a></strong></em></p>


Review: Eating out at Foxhills Resort, Ottershaw

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