FINCHINGFIELD is certainly known as one of Essex’s most picturesque villages, but when you’re not soaking up the summer sun listening to the deep rumble of motorbike engines, where do you go for lunch?

The Fox on the Green is, indeed, situated right next to the enchanting bridge which overlooks the village’s lush green grasses.

Flower baskets drape elegantly from the arched window frames and hanging baskets, with umbrellas offering some shade over the French-style tables out the front.

The inside of the 16th century coaching inn was warm and inviting, with thick carpet, plush seating, and the enchanting interior design of a classic English pub.

Charming - The eatery has stood since the 1500s, when it was a coaching inn. Charming - The eatery has stood since the 1500s, when it was a coaching inn. (Image: Newsquest)

After choosing to sit outside, we perused the menu, which comprises of many pub classic meals—hunters chicken, steak and ale pie, and sausages and mash to name a few.

There is a variety of starters on offer, from crispy pork belly bites to garlic and chilli prawns, with a selection of steak, southern fried chicken, or falafel burgers.

The menu helpfully showcased some chef’s choices, which change regularly so that “there’s always something new and tempting to try.”

We decided to choose the battered haddock and wholetail scampi, both with garden peas and hand-cut chips.

Yum - The haddock and chips was a perfect example of the English pub classic meal. Yum - The haddock and chips was a perfect example of the English pub classic meal. (Image: Newsquest)

The restaurant’s position by the green offered a perfect view of the duck pond and bridge, with classic cars gliding smoothly over it as we waited for our meals.

When our plates arrived, looking artfully arranged as the smiling waiters set them on the table, we dug in. 

For a few minutes all we could hear was the delightful crunch of the beer-batter around the haddock and the breadcrumbs of the scampi making way for the delicate fish beneath.

The hand-cut chips were soft and thick, while the pickled onion was sharp.

Lovely - The scampi and tartar sauce were both homemade by the chef. Lovely - The scampi and tartar sauce were both homemade by the chef. (Image: Newsquest)

Both the scampi and the tartar sauce were handmade, with the pickles and onion finely chopped and blended throughout the sauce.

While we would’ve loved to enjoy a dessert, our portions were plenty filling enough so that we couldn’t eat another bite after polishing off our plates.

The Fox on the Green is a charming eatery, and perfect for the post-card scene of Finchingfield.