Nestled in the scenic beauty of the Chiltern Valley, The Fox & Hounds in the perfect spot on a gorgeous day for wanderers, ramblers, dog walkers and cyclists. Nestled away on the edge of Christmas Common, the pub has a diverse menu and a gorgeous garden at the front. My partner and I picked a particularly good day to come and were treated to an exceptional meal.

The menu had smaller items like Welsh Rarebit and Smoked Salmon, but my partner and I went for more substantial mains. I chose the burger, which comes with bacon, brie and triple cooked chips, while my wife went for the open top pie (filled with cheese, chunks of ham and onion) as well as French fries. Our daughter had sausage, beans and chips, with The Fox & Hounds not offering a dedicated children's menu, but instead smaller portions of the adult equivalents. There was plenty of time between ordering and our food arriving to allow us to bask in the pub's surroundings and for me to chase my daughter as she explored the pub, seeking out the various dogs that had tagged along with their owners.

When our food arrived we found herself in for a treat. The pie was, in my wife's words, "amazing". It was loaded with filling, with ample amounts of meat and an exceptional taste. My burger didn't disappoint, cooked to perfection, a flavoursome delight. My daughter enjoyed her sausages and was even willing to let me try, and they proved very good indeed, with the herby taste not overpowering. As filling as our mains were they left us with enough room for desserts.

Our dessert picks were a strawberry sundae for my wife, a chocolate torte for me and a scoop of ice cream for our daughter. While there was a bit of a wait for them it left just enough time for us to ready ourselves for another round of scrumptious food. My wife appreciated her sundae, while my daughter wolfed down her ice cream (always a good sign). My torte was spot on, not too stodgy but solid enough.

Whilst we arrived when the pub opened and were served quickly, by the time we left the wait for food had extended to forty-five minutes. So either get there early or expect a more leisurely pace to your lunch. The staff seemed busy but were more than happy to help with any queries. But any issues I have with The Fox & Hounds are overcome by the establishment's great location and fabulous food. This is the kind of pub that is worth wandering out of Oxford for.