Revealed: The Sheffield inn crowned as the best country pub

'I literally screamed', said manager Rebecca Aitken as she recalled the moment her pub scooped BBC Countryfile's Country Pub of the Year prize.
Rebecca Aitken, right, the manager of The Fox House, with Thelma Langton and assistant manager, Jamie Woodgate and the award for Country Pub of the Year from Countryfile Magazine.Rebecca Aitken, right, the manager of The Fox House, with Thelma Langton and assistant manager, Jamie Woodgate and the award for Country Pub of the Year from Countryfile Magazine.
Rebecca Aitken, right, the manager of The Fox House, with Thelma Langton and assistant manager, Jamie Woodgate and the award for Country Pub of the Year from Countryfile Magazine.

The historic Fox House Inn at Longshaw has been hailed as the country’s best rural pub in the prestigious magazine competition.

Judges praised its food, drink and setting close to stunning walks across the Peak District, and guests voted for the pub in their droves.

The Fox House, winner of the Country Pub of the Year from Countryfile Magazine.The Fox House, winner of the Country Pub of the Year from Countryfile Magazine.
The Fox House, winner of the Country Pub of the Year from Countryfile Magazine.
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Rebecca added: “They told us we had won by a substantial amount, we had a lot of people voting for us.

“I literally screamed when they called to say we had won. “We’ve all been out to celebrate, it’s just amazing.”

And Rebecca credits her team with the victory.

“I think the pub is so popular because its so friendly”, she added.

The Fox House, winner of the Country Pub of the Year from Countryfile Magazine.The Fox House, winner of the Country Pub of the Year from Countryfile Magazine.
The Fox House, winner of the Country Pub of the Year from Countryfile Magazine.

“We’re a very dog friendly pub and we always go out of our way for everybody and people feel that.

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“It’s a beautiful pub and very old, we’re very lucky that we’ve got the Peak District right outside but I think the best thing about it is the team, they are just so friendly.

“People often come up to me after their meal and say the staff have been amazing.

“Whether its a birthday or an anniversary or someone has got good grades in their exams, the team might sing for them or give them a free pudding. We want people to come back to us.”

The Fox House, winner of the Country Pub of the Year from Countryfile Magazine.The Fox House, winner of the Country Pub of the Year from Countryfile Magazine.
The Fox House, winner of the Country Pub of the Year from Countryfile Magazine.

The pub dates back to 1773 and was a favoured resting stop. It is now part of the Mitchells and Butlers group.

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Judge John Craven said of the pub: “The Fox is a classic country pub. Lots of tiny little corners with tables, so you don’t feel as though you are in a huge restaurant area.

“The food is excellent and reasonably priced, the beer is excellent and it’s family friendly.”

Other pubs in the running included the most remote pub in Britain, The Old Forge, Knoydart, Lochaber, Scotland. Drinkers must take a ferry or hike to access it.