🦊 The Black Fox, Bath – Where Heritage Meets Hip with a Hint of Hedonism 🦊
Right in the heart of Bath’s golden-stoned elegance, The Black Fox stands out by fitting in — architecturally impressive, full of character, and just the right amount of quirky to feel like a local gem.
Snag a seat outside and let the show begin: Bath life in all its glory. Whether it’s a sharp Bath Gin, a chilled Bristol cider, or a fine glass of Malbec, this is the perfect spot to sip and soak it all in. Expect a mix of students, sightseers, and the occasional Roman centurion on a lunch break — no two moments are ever the same.
Inside, it’s a stylish blend of old soul and modern charm. Authentic, relaxed, and completely unpretentious, with a wine list that means business and an atmosphere that’s pure Bath. The Black Fox isn’t trying too hard — it doesn’t need to. It’s cool, characterful, and exactly where you want to be.
Excellent small pub serving exclusively local drinks. A really great idea for supporting local businesses!
The drinks were good, and reasonably priced for local options. There was a good selection despite only being local.
There was a small food menu. We only had chips which were pretty bland, but that's not really enough to get a feel for the food.
The decor throughout was really good, with a perfect blend of modern and rustic making for a dark unique spot.
Staff were friendly, highchairs were available, and there was seating on the ground level (really lovely decor), basement (pretty dingy), and outside (roadside, but nice).
This hotel is in the midst of everything from historical to shopping and many local entries with a wide variety of food selections.
Check in was very friendly and fast. Staff was very attentive and provided great instructions for getting to our room.
On the negative side of stairs present a problem. Then this hotel will not get your 5 star review.
We had no problem accessing our room via 3 flights of narrow stairwells.
Excellent location for the sightseeing genre of traveler.
I chose the Black Fox for lunch because it described itself as a Free House and a seller of Real Ale. I was footsore and tired after walking round the city and didn't want to walk any further so I took a chance.
The menu looked OK but they only had one beer on pump that day which was disappointing and very surprising but I figured it would be a decent pint in such an establishment. It was not.
The beer - called Racing Pigeons - was cloudy but that didn't worry me too much, some beers are. But the taste was fruity, like a soft drink, and didn't taste like beer at all. A Free House should be offering a range of real ales and I daresay they normally do but if, for some bizarre reason, they only have one it should be a way better one than this. It wasn't cheap, either, at £5.75.
My steak and ale pie came with peas and either chips or mash and I chose chips (£17). It was served on a plate with a raised edge, more like a flat-bottomed bowl than a plate, and drenched in gravy. This would not have been so bad if I'd asked for mash - although I hate gravy sloshed over everything - but it made the chips soggy and the peas were almost floating. The steak was good and plenty of it but the pastry was too thick and somehow both dry and doughy. I finished neither my meal nor my pint.
The service was less than friendly, too.
When I arrived there was only one table occupied and no-one else came in the entire time I was there. Hardly surprising, and I wish I'd read the reviews and passed this place by.
The staff is so friendly and helpful. They dragged my vert heavy suitcase up the stairs on arrival and downstairs on departure. The breakfast was amazing, really loved having so much choice and that it is made fresh. I did eat one evening in the pub as well and that was very delicious as well. Location is very good, close to the train station, busstop in front and you walk straight into the city centre when coming out off the door. Room was pretty old and could use some painting and thorough cleaning. It was having everything you would need plus some little extras. The shower is low, I am 173cm and I was bumping my head at the shower head. I also would have loved more space on the desk for working, darker curtains because there are big spotlights outside and some light above the bathroommirror. I would definitely rent a room again, but if I travel with my boyfriend I would not go here, because he could not have a shower here😅.