The Royal Oak, Sparklow

This place looks a bit unprepossessing from the outside - like an old rural local, but inside its superb. Its been modernised without losing the atmosphere and character of a rural pub. It served local Hartington Ales (I had the IPA which was excellent), and superb home cooked food. It hasn't gone all fancy-dan gastro pub, just very very good pub food - and you could tell it was home cooked. I had the finest beef and stilton pie I've ever tasted. What's more I was in a party of 13 that descended on a Monday lunchtime and service was prompt and with a smile. Brilliant. Note for the BITE admin - this pub is actually in Sparklow, not Hurdlow, so it was very difficult to find on your search.

12 Aug 2008 13:18