History of The Fox & Hounds
A wonderful historic inn which is at the heart of the village … and in the hearts of the community.
Mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, The Fox and Hounds, in the village of Great Wolford, Warwickshire, is a gem – a quintessential Cotswolds pub with a rich and long history that goes back nearly 400 years. It was first identified as an alehouse in the Warwickshire Quarter Sessions held between 1637 and 1650.
Originally a farmhouse, it is possible that an alehouse was in operation many years earlier than this, as these establishments were often operated illegally. Stratford-upon-Avon is only 16 miles away and Shakespeare had an aunt, Joan Arden, who lived in Barton-on-the-Heath (a mile from Great Wolford). It was an area well known to the Bard and it is possible he visited the illegal pub before his death in 1616.
Fast forward to the modern day. Below is a list of the landlords and landladies of the Fox and Hounds who have some wonderful stories to tell. Carlo and Dorina (1972 to 1986) remember a visit by our King (then Prince Charles), Dusty Springfield, Gerry Rafferty, Jimmy Hill and many other celebrities. They certainly put the Fox and Hounds on the map at that time and were very popular in Great Wolford.
The Fox & Hounds in 1972
The Fox and Hounds: Landlords and Landladies
The Fox and Hounds has had some very successful – and often colourful – owners who made it a magnet for locals and a very successful local and destination pub with fantastic food. If you can fill in any gaps in its history, please let us know at campaign@savethefoxandhounds.org.uk
1681 - 1770: Randall family
1808 - 1813: Elizabeth Randall
1813 - 1841: John Dyer
1841 - 1900: Dyer Family
1900: John Gardner
1921: Fox and Hounds sold by Lord Redesdale to Flowers Brewery
1920 to 1980: sold as a Free House
1930s: Mrs Walker
1953 - 1956: Charlie and Edna Hassell
1956 - 1972: David and Joan Hawker
1972-1986: Carlo and Dorina Olcese
1986 - 2000: Graham and Annie Seddon
2000– 2003: Wendy Veale and John Scott-Lee
2003 to 2006: Paul and Veronica Thomlinson
2006 to 2015: Gill Tarbox with her son, Jamie and his partner, Sioned
The Fox and Hounds was bought in 2016 by Stephen Allely and Jacqueline Harding. They closed it in 2016. Please see The Story So Far for what has happened since then.