A largish pub built after the war to replace a former pub destroyed by fire. Note the stone slab inset on the front of the building proclaiming Henty & Constable's ales The original public bar is now the restaurant although meals can and often are eaten in the main bar (booking advised on Sunday lunchtime). The whole pub is wood panelled throughout with numerous photographs adorning the walls plus a large garden seating up to 300 people. A changing selection of real ales is served often sourced from Timothy Taylor and Palmers. Regular tap takeovers are held.
Historic Interest
William Blake used to drink in the pub.
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed status: Not listed
This was the very first permanent pub built in Britain after World War II. The old Fox was virtually destroyed by fire in October 1946 and was rebuilt in replica in 1949 by Chichester brewers Henty & Constable using much of the original material. It officially reopened on 19 January 1950 and has been little altered over the years. The saloon includes panelling brought in from Col. Henty’s house in Chichester with matching work of 1949. The small snug-like area left of the main bar was an off-sales until 1990 (note the display window). The Nautical Bar (left) retains its original panelling, counter front and parts of the back fitting: original 1940s gents’. Note the blue plaque commemorating poet and artist William Blake who got himself arrested here in 1803 for allegedly making seditious remarks to a soldier.
This pub's claim to fame is that it was the first permanent public house to be built in Britain since World War II. The old Fox was virtually destroyed by fire in October 1946 - it was re-built as a replica in 1949 using much of the original material and officially reopened on 19th Jan 1950 by brewers Henty & Constable and is little altered over the years. Also of interest are the two Arun District Council Blue Plaques attached to the front of the pub: one for George Morland, a late Georgian painter of animals and rustic scenes and the other is for the better-known poet and artist William Blake who got himself arrested here in 1803 for making seditious remarks to a soldier.
The Saloon Bar on the right features much older full-height oak panelling which came from Colonel Henty's house in Westgate, Chichester. To the right of the door is the old panelling; to the left there is matching panelling from 1949. The bar back looks like the original one with some modern additions, the counter front has fielded panelling from 1949 but a new top. The fireplace in this room is modern; the gents' has been modernised.
The small snug looking area to the left of the main bar was originally an off licence with the curved window for display and the door is now a window - easily visible on the exterior as it still has the licensees details panel above it. In 1990 the partition forming the off license was removed and fielded panelling of a similar style to that in the bar and lounge was added to this area blocking-up the hatch to the servery.
The Nautical Bar on the left also retains its original panelling on the walls in a lighter shade. The counter is also original with a fielded panelling front but the Formica top is modern. The bar back retains old lower shelves but half have been replaced by fridges; above there is a cupboard and panelling on the walls which are original but other woodwork is modern, as is the gents'.
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This Pub serves 3 changing beers and 4 regular beers.
Fox Inn, Felpham
Generally from national but occasionally from a Sussex Micro
Changing beers typically include: Palmers (varies) , Timothy Taylor (varies)
Source: National