please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Royal Oak was my favourite pub of 11 I sampled in Guildford on Sunday. Although I think the presence of a cider festival influenced my decision! Whilst there were only 4 real ciders, it was good to see what seemed to be a locals pub promoting the real stuff and also to see the locals fully engaging and trying each of them. The 4 available were also rarely seen in these parts - Cornwall Cider Company Mango, Lime & Ginger Fruit Cider, Cornish Orchards Vintage, Lyme Bay Eventide & Hogans Panking Pole. I went for the one I hadn't previously tried - the Eventide, which was nice. Ales were not quite so adventurous, with just Ringwood Razor Back & Forty Niner & Marstons Pedigree available. What looks like a small garden at the side opens up into a large space with a children's play house. A barbecue was very popular. But a 10 minute wait for a burger put me off. The interior is small, but cosy. Lovely pub with hospitable hosts.
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This place is a little run down but not uncomfortable. Service is pleasant if a little slow. Very good beer range but my mild was on the turn. Good value roast meals on a Sunday.
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RIP Tony,one of the very best landlords I have ever been served by,will be sadly missed.
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Unpretentious, friendly drinkers pubs in a pleasant Guildford offshoot. Really interesting and good quality beer range; food not much in evidence.
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If only there were more pubs like this. The landlord is passionate about his beer - ask him for his recommendation as there are seveal guest beers always available. The food is great - simple , wholesome and very tasty. The old English sausages are a must with great freshly cooked veg.
A nice garden in the summer - always busy with people who clearly value a great community pub.
Visit it and enjoy,
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Flying visit very good choice on the real ale side of things the landlord knows his breweries alright,will be in again soon.
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Excellent ales and a surprisingly large choice for a small pub. Good prices for Guildford too. I will definitely be returning.
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Yes this is a great place, only problem is it's a bit small for a largish group to sit and eat if all the locals are in, so get there early is my advice.
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Another pub visited on a beer tour around Surrey. Surrey Hills beers plus others. Decent pub and the sausage rolls went down well.
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Many CAMRA awards around the bar. Noticed Surrey Hills Hammer Mild, Hogs Back Winter Ale (dark) plus two others one of which I had (need to write this stuff down...). Not a fan of the darker style, but nearby drinkers were clearly enjoying it. Traditional beef or pork roasts this Sunday, both rated highly. Looking forward to seeing what is on the pumps next time in this great freehouse. Surprisingly good coffee with an After Eight on the side!
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Just to let people know this pub doesn't serve food on Sundays, didn't stay to taste the beer as a result
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Excellent little local pub, the kind that I wish I had in my village.
6 real ales on, the lunch was good and proper homecooked stuff (don't go there expecting anything fancy).
Older clientele but I like that at a lunchtime. Landlord chatty, and knowledgable and enthusiastic about beers.
I will be returning.
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Agree with all the other comments cosy village in with excellent beer selection and a relaxed atmosphere only bad point i had about this place was the music was being played rather loud but maybe it was my disliking to Queen that made me feel like this. Worth the visit if your in the surrounding area as theres not much other pubs as good as this in the area
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Superb free house and surprised and delighted to find a mild as a constant. excellent well worth a detour
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THE beer drinker's pub in Guildford.
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This is a great pub for real ales same as the old Spread Eagle was years ago when Tony ran that, dont know about the food but ales you can`t beat this place.
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Blimey - a pub landlord who knows how to look after and serve proper beer. A rarity these days. Great range of ales and good food as well. Always worth the trip.
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nb. closed weekdays 15:00-17:00, I believe.
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Bar slightly smaller than expected from the imposing exterior (pics follow) but friendly welcome from the old-school landlord who knows his beers & was happy to chat about them. Six handpumps, 5 in action yesterday; Concrete Cow Old Bloomer, Bazens Black Pig mild, Boggart Bitta This, Surrey Hills Shere Drop, Courage. Senior clientele more prevalent lunchtime, some eating, two-course daily special was roast pork plus choice of 3 desserts for �7.50, other mains on menu were around �7. Banquette seating curves around the hop decorated bar and into 3 bay windows, walls are adorned with various prints, local scenes of yore, some regional awards, a couple of brass bedpans, and a mirror declaring JT Sharp�s Guildford Gunpowder. A small bookcase offers twenty odd choices, mostly novels. Gents loo is outside. Some of the glasses above the bar could do with blasting & polishing for water marks, or replacing, but a decent local pub & good beer selection. A rather circuitous 20mins on #17 from Guildford, and beware they finish early evening.
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Happened to be around Guildford today and foumd this in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Best lunch in ages. Proper food with properly cooked veg and some great ale to go with it. Even had mild on! People friendly too - both sides of the bar. Definitely going back.
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It's all true! Great pub for real ale fans.
I do find it rather smokey though and so am looking forward to visiting after 1st July 2007 :-)
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The best pub in this part of the country. Excellent quality beers including a mild always on tap. Excellent home cooked food lunch time. Landlord Tony and staff always friendly.
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Simply the best pub in Surrey (and has the Camra awards to prove it!) Tony Oliver, the landlord, is extremely serious about his real ales and you will never have a bad pint here. Good bar food (at lunchtimes only), and a beautiful pub cat too!
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Fantastic real ale pub. Always a mild available. Good food available weekday lunchtimes.
pinga - 13 Dec 2005 12:17 |
Lovely little local, Lanlord is a gem and brilliantly placed for a swift one before picking the kids up from school ;-)
Flea - 12 Oct 2003 00:52 |
Very good locals pub, famous for and has many guest beers one of the top 25 pub's in the country best in the south east(camra). Go for the beer stay for the staff and atmosphere.
J ramage - 15 Aug 2003 13:22 |
For those that like a pint of real ale. Beer brilliantly kept, never a chance of some vinegary pint. Or for those that like some real quality sausage and mash at lunchtimes. A real olde world pub. If you like DJs and Sky TV - forget it. Big country garden with windmill out the back.
Ian - 26 May 2003 21:31 |
