The Oak, Aylesbury

Pub number 8 in Buckinghamshire and this was our 3rd Fuller's pub. As with the previous 2, the ale choice was limited to Pride & Seafarers. The interior was nice, but our visit was spoiled by the strange Covid and inconsistent Covid measures that were in place. On heading to the bar to see what was on, we were reprimanded for not wearing masks. Where the rest of the country has made it optional (including other Fuller's pubs), here it is still mandatory when walking around the pub. Service was also table service. We took a seat and waited for service, while staff wandered around doing odd jobs and ignored us and other people managed to get served at the bar, some without face masks! We eventually managed to shout across to the bar to place our order and we were invited to go up to the bar to collect our order and pay for it, assuming I donned a face mask. What a palaver and a complete waste of everybody's time. Nice looking pub with completely chaotic and disorganised service from the young staff spoiling our visit.

A very attractive, thatched pub in this pleasant village, it’s not going to get much in the way of passing trade being tucked away from the main road, but it’s clearly well-known and was extremely busy on our recent Saturday afternoon visit. Internally, the pub consists of two original rooms with a more modern conservatory extension to the rear. The public bar was off to the left and whilst not unpleasant, it didn’t really have too much in the way of character. There was a wood strip floor with quarry tiles around the bar counter, and a TV mounted on the wall at one end. Fortunately the volume was off so this was not too intrusive. The larger lounge bar to the right is all together much more appealing and “olde worlde” with a low beamed ceiling, flagstone floor, a very large stone fireplace with an open grate and wooden pews for the seating. Some wood partitioning with leaded glass inserts broke up the space a little. The downside of this was that it was packed to capacity with diners, about half of whom seemed to be small children. Consequently the noise level was very high, and it was really impossible to spend any length of time here, not that there was anywhere to sit anyway. Fortunately it was a very pleasant day, so we decamped to the garden. The conservatory at the rear was a little more contemporary with dark wood laminate on the floor and this led out in to the garden. This was a good size and also included a large marquee, although this was not in use on our visit. Presumably they hold functions of some sort here. Beers on tap were Liberation Ale, Oliver’s Island, London Pride and Lacons Encore. The solitary cider meanwhile was Cornish Orchards. This is a tricky one to mark. On one hand it’s just my sort of pub with it’s cosy old charm and I can well imagine settling down in front of the fire on a cold winter’s day for a good session. On the other hand, the clientele on my visit completely spoilt any chance of a quiet and relaxing pint, so based on that I’m going to have to knock a couple of points off.

Official site of The Oak - www.theoakastonclinton.net

Official site of The Oak - www.theoakastonclinton.net

A great village local currently owned by Fullers. There is a car park and garden area at the front and side. Once inside there is a public bar on the left with a TV showing live sports and a saloon bar on the right which conjoins with a larger restaurant area with rustic bench seating and tables. There are several low beams which are thoughtfully padded, tiled floors various exposed timbers, some of which appear quite old, all of which gives it character. Food looked good but we didn't eat so can't comment on quality. The staff were very wecloming but not obtrusive. There were 3 ales on, Seafarer, Pride and a guest. All three were on very good condition. Worth coming back to for a quiet evening's drinking, and I'd like to try the food next time.

The Oak feels cosy before you've even entered being a white and black timbered thatched pub. It's bigger than it looks from the outside with the restaurant to the right, which on a wet Friday lunchtime was busy enough, and bar to the left. The bar is wood throughout - panelled walls, furniture, even frou frou small chopped log menu holders. Various signs were advertising that the pub showed the Six Nations and there's a rugby theme. I'd guess that there's a decent atmosphere in the compact bar when there's a match on. I only noticed the bar menu which wasn't hugely adventurous or especially good value but we didn't eat so judgement is suspended. Beers on were all from the Fullers stable: Pride, Front Row, Chiswick and Seafarers. The Pride was well kept but sadly the ESB noted by Mr Castro-Garcia below wasn't in evidence. I liked The Oak and would return if there were ESB, Bengal Lancer or a rugby match on.

Set back from the road,this Fuller's tied house has a thatched roof and an attractive garden.To the left of the entrance is the bar with a wooden floor,flatscreen ,traditional wooden furniture and a small serving area surrounded by a collection of bar stool wags engaging in good humoured banter with the young bar staff.Apart from the locals,the bar doesn't have much character although rugby is screened and there were several rugby related photos dotted about. The restaurant to the right is much more interesting,with low beams,old windows,it's own bar access and a raised section to the rear.The menu looked like standard pub grub but at a premium price with mains generally £11-£14 and light bites averaging £7. There were four Fullers ales on offer,my London Pride was adequate but again pricey at £3.60.I was disappointed that the other choices were all low ABV brews ,and non of the more respected Fullers ales were on offer.The muzak was not really in keeping with the surroundings,it felt like a chain pub despite the attractive building.A long walk from the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union,with an insufficient payoff to justify a return visit.

Lovely location, nice old Fullers pub with a big garden, kids welcome and very child friendly. Food was good. Ales on offer were George Gale & Co Seafarer's Ale, London Pride and ESB.