Brightly lit, with an imposing porch and large windows, the New Fox Inn in Willesborough looks grand from the road.

You walk straight into the main bar, which is just as brightly lit, with two large screens, one on the left wall, the other on the right, showing Premier League footie.

The sound was turned up high on both screens and it’s clear whatever game is showing takes centre stage here – I was treated to Brentford v Bournemouth.

The only beer on tap was London Pride but the barmaid cheerily informed me the barrel was fresh on and assured me I wouldn’t be disappointed.

It’s no secret I’m not a great Pride fan, but this was a decent example and I’m glad I took her advice.

She then popped out the front door for a fag, but not before answering my question about the pub name.

In my experience pubs which change their name do so because they are trying to shake off a less than salubrious, and unwanted, reputation. But she said it used to be The Windmill and before that it was the Old Fox, and the only reason it changed was because the new owners are fickle beasts and want to make their mark.

Among those to back the pub is Neil 'Razor' Ruddock. The former Liverpool and West Ham centre-back, who lives in the town, was one of 25 investors who stumped up £2,000 to help fund the project before it reopened in 2021.

I accepted the naming explanation and took a seat at one of the chunky wooden tables on the right.

It was a Saturday evening but most folks were here to eat and there were stacks of family groups in, some with really young kids, though they were all incredibly well behaved.

A group of lads on the table next to me had platters of food delivered and then immediately headed outside for a fag break – when they returned the steak, chips, onions rings and other goodies all remained untouched and were eventually returned to the kitchen without even being tasted, very strange as they looked good.

Brentford went one up on 60 minutes and local Dave popped in for a pint before joining the barmaid, who pulled on a coat this time, for a fag outside.

The atmosphere right round the bar was warm and friendly with everyone making everyone else feel welcome, whether they were a local or a visitor.

There is a dartboard at the back left of the pub which wasn’t in use while I was in but there were enough trophies on a shelf to suggest someone round here can play a bit. There is also a jukebox on the wall, but again it was ignored with people choosing instead to enjoy each other’s company.

In fact, it looks as if the place hosts live music most Saturday nights but unfortunately, according to the board on the wall, the first band of the New Year was playing the following week.

Other messages around the wall informed me I could get a Sunday roast for £9.95, a breakfast menu is available on Fridays and Saturdays between 9am and noon, afternoon teas are £29.95 and cocktails are available – I reckon the roast sounds a good deal.

And, this was backed up, believe it or not, when I paid a visit to the gents.

A friendly and chatty fellow a little further down the stainless steel urinal assured me this is the best local he’s ever had and says the food, whether it’s a Sunday lunchtime, Saturday evening or even for breakfast, is second to none in the area.

Opposite the open door of the gents was a staircase leading up to the first floor restaurant which I’d previously been invited to visit on the proviso I didn’t go up any higher as the next flight leads to living quarters. Apparently this restaurant is often needed for Sunday lunches as well as parties and special bookings.

On the way back to the bar I noticed a number of paintings on the wall, presumably by a local artist, individually priced.

In the bar I bumped into an older lady from one of the family groups who had just selected a second hand book from a shelf and was in the process of making a donation to the charity box by way of payment. It’s good to see something like this actually being used and just underlined the true community spirit this pub engenders.

Heartened by discovering such a place I did something very out of character and for my second pint ordered an Amstel. This was fizzy and refreshing enough but not really anything to write home about.

Refreshed and slightly gassed up I headed out and as I left, from the side of the pub, noticed a reasonable sized garden at the back which looked as if it had a decent marque at the far side.

I could hear a small group of smokers chatting away happily as they indulged their habit and left buoyed by the fact there’s a community pub of this quality where people are still happy to pop out for a drink, a bite and the craic.

The New Fox, 278 Hythe Road, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0QR

Decor: Bright and welcoming, there is plenty of chunky wooden furniture and decent comfy chairs. Modern and slick but still able to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. ****

Drink: Although I ended up with a pint of bitter I wouldn’t usually choose and, sticking with the theme, a lager I wouldn’t select either, both were surprisingly good and refreshing in their own way. ***

Price: My pint of Pride set me back £4.30 and an Amstel was 40p more at £4.70. I reckon the Sunday roast (which was highly recommended) sounds a great deal at £9.95. ***

Food: I can’t give it a score as I didn’t sample the food, but the guy I met in the gents reckons the food here is brilliant.

Staff: Welcoming and chatty, like everyone else in the pub, the barmaid was friendly and efficient – I hasten to add, she only took cigarette breaks when everyone had been served. ****

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