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="1280" height="852" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-manor-house.jpg" alt="The manor house at Foxhills Resort, Surrey" class="wp-image-49109" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-manor-house.jpg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-manor-house-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-manor-house-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-manor-house-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-manor-house-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-manor-house-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;ll undoubtedly know Foxhills as the country club and resort with championship golf courses and host of other leisure venues including tennis courts (11), swimming pools (five), an award-winning spa plus luxury accommodation. But no less impressive is the resort&#8217;s flagship restaurant, The Fox (it&#8217;s one of three at the resort). </p>



<p>Spread across three elegant rooms the 19th century manor house, The Fox dining rooms offer a menu of inventive and gorgeously presented food from head chef Dan DaCosta. It&#8217;s high-end restaurant fare veering into the realms of fine dining. </p>



<p>The resort is set on 400 acres just outside Chertsey in Surrey, and near to both Guildford and Woking. It&#8217;s 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"><strong>THE VIBE</strong></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/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-terrace-in-the-fox-dining-rooms.jpg" alt="The Fox dining rooms, at Foxhills Resort, Surrey." class="wp-image-49108" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-terrace-in-the-fox-dining-rooms.jpg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-terrace-in-the-fox-dining-rooms-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-terrace-in-the-fox-dining-rooms-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-terrace-in-the-fox-dining-rooms-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-terrace-in-the-fox-dining-rooms-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-terrace-in-the-fox-dining-rooms-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s wow-factor from the off, thanks to a sweeping driveway bordered by a manicured golf course. It&#8217;s on the drive in that you&#8217;ll catch your first glimpse of the manor house, a stunning Gothic Revival building, and the former home of the 18th century politician Sir Charles James Fox.  Fun historical side note: Sir Charles had a penchant for the high life – booze, gambling and women &#8211; and moved to the country estate with his mistress when gambling debts forced him out of London. He was also said to have been shot in the belly during a duel in Hyde Park.</p>



<p>In more recent history &#8211; as in 40 years ago &#8211; the estate was bought by the Hayton family and since then it has cemented its place as a luxury leisure destination. While there&#8217;s an undeniable members&#8217; club vibe going on here, Foxhills doesn&#8217;t feel snooty and pretentious. And non-members are made to feel just as welcome as the regulars. </p>



<p>Inside the house, interiors are gorgeous and glam whilst retaining a playful and fun element. Alex Michaelis &#8211; the guy behind the interiors at Soho House and the Groucho Club &#8211; is responsible for the chic look. 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>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><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/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-The-Fox-23-CROP.jpg" alt="The Fox Dining rooms, Foxhills, Surrey" class="wp-image-49114" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-The-Fox-23-CROP.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-The-Fox-23-CROP-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-The-Fox-23-CROP-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-The-Fox-23-CROP-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-The-Fox-23-CROP-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-The-Fox-23-CROP-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Let’s get down to the serious business of the food and drink.&nbsp;The menu is creative and tightly curated with no more than six options for each course plus a handful of side dishes. There&#8217;s something here that will suit most tastes.</p>



<p>We were eating in the Music Room &#8211; with its domed ceiling, intricate cornicing and striking Colonial mural wall-covering &#8211; and things quickly got rather delightful with the arrival of hunks of freshly baked bread and whipped salted butter. I was already sipping on a crisp dry white wine &#8211; an Italian Pinot Grigio. So far, very good! </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/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-starters.jpeg" alt="starters at the fox dining rooms, at foxhills resort, surrey" class="wp-image-49116" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-starters.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-starters-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-starters-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-starters-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-starters-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-starters-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>We pondered the menu and I quickly decided to start with the cured mackerel with buttermilk, cucumber and fresh citrus while he chose the smoked pigeon breast with blackberry, compressed radicchio and parsnip purée. Both were beautifully presented and eminently devourable &#8211; a euphony of flavours.</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/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-mains.jpeg" alt="Main courses at Foxhills, Surrey" class="wp-image-49110" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-mains.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-mains-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-mains-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-mains-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-mains-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-mains-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Mains for me was seaweed gnocchi with glaze apple, tempura enoki and ricotta espuma. Would I ever combine Italian pasta with Japanese tempura and Spanish ricotta? No, it sounds horrendous. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I leave the innovative cheffing to those who know more than I do! Because, it was, in fact, lovely.</p>



<p>He chose the pan fried sea bass with pickled fennel and brown shrimp, saffron and cider sauce. Not quite as creative as my dish, but also not something you&#8217;ll find on every menu. Also, from the forkfull he shared, rather tasty.</p>



<p>A salad of smoked feta, pomegranate and mint salad was somehow a great accompaniment to both dishes.</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/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-pudding.jpeg" alt="deserts at the fox dining rooms, Surrey" class="wp-image-49115" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-pudding.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-pudding-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-pudding-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-pudding-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-pudding-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-AE-pudding-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Mango cheesecake with blueberry ice cream, tarragon and mango compote and sherbet rounded the meal off nicely for me. For him it was a passionfruit parfait with blood beach sorbet and crispy sponge. Both looked too good to eat, although of course we noshed right in. Yum!</p>



<p>I&#8217;m anything but a wine connoisseur, but to my eye the wine list was excellent with something to cover all tastes and budgets. </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-room3-1000x666.jpg" alt="A bedroom at Foxhills Resort in Surrey" class="wp-image-49107" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-room3-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-room3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-room3-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-room3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-room3-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-room3.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Having stayed the night at Foxhills on a previous visit, I can highly recommend the hotel. There are 66 boutique rooms dotted around the estate including a cobbled courtyard with swimming pool and woodland areas.&nbsp;<a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/hotels-inns/review-foxhills-club-and-resort-ottershaw-surrey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read our review here. </a></p>



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



<p>Yes, kids are more than welcome in The Fox dining rooms &#8211; and on the night I dined there was a mix of adult groups, families with younger children, families with teenagers and couples. If you&#8217;re not convinced your children will go for the more exotic food combinations you can always head to the family restaurant in The Pavilion.</p>



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



<p>Nope, best leave your four-legged furries at home. Aside from guide dogs, dogs are not permitted at Foxhills.</p>



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



<p>The Fox Dining rooms are on the ground floor as are the amenities.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-spa-2-1000x666.jpg" alt="The spa at Foxhills resort in Surrey." class="wp-image-49117" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-spa-2-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-spa-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-spa-2-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-spa-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-spa-2-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-spa-2.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Don&#8217;t leave Foxhills without trying the dreamy spa. And if you exhaust the golf, tennis, squash, woodland walks and other leisure pursuits at the resort, there&#8217;s plenty to explore 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"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-food-credit-milly-fletcher-262.jpg" alt="Foxhills dining room, Surrey" class="wp-image-49118" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-food-credit-milly-fletcher-262.jpg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-food-credit-milly-fletcher-262-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-food-credit-milly-fletcher-262-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-food-credit-milly-fletcher-262-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-food-credit-milly-fletcher-262-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-food-credit-milly-fletcher-262-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-food-credit-milly-fletcher-262-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/08/Foxhills-dining-food-credit-milly-fletcher-262-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Special occasions, those who love the finer things in life, foodies.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Fussy eaters stay away!</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> Starters £8-£12; mains £18-£32, sides £5.50; puddings £8-£12.</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: The Fox dining rooms at Foxhills Resort, Ottershaw

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