The Royal Oak, Canterbury

The Royal Oak can be found in the latest Good Beer Guide. So, we were disappointed to find just one cask ale along the four handpulls. This was Dark Star Hophead. Another handpull had a turned Courage Directors clip. Forged Irish Stout was on offer on keg and the cider was Somersby Apple. Cash is king posters everywhere give you an idea what kind of payment is expected. You enter the front right corner into the bar area. Off to the left is a conservatory dining area. There is a further room to the rear with a pool table. The passage to the rear room has a door with many pumpclips on it, suggesting that there is a much better ale range at times. The bar has a fireplace on the right wall with a wood burner. There is a large screen TV above it. BT Sport is shown. Furniture consists of Chesterfields and some high tables with chairs. There are some sports trophies in the front right corner. Walls are painted grey and white. There is also one of those sweet machines next to the bar, indicating that families are welcome. Various promotions were available for figgy pudding gin and Baileys or Disaronno Hot Chocolate. Sunday roasts were also advertised, along with a quiz night, bingo night and a charity race night. Happy hours were also listed for between 4-6pm on certain weekdays. Judging by the previous review, it seems that a better ale range can be expected at busier times of the year. I suspect our January visit was bad timing on our part, but I was left feeling disappointed with this place.

Located at the north end of the elongated village of Blean, this pub has been extended with a conservatory dining room and now has an expanded beer garden. Semi-modern furniture and lighter decor than one might expect. Good selection of four real ales on handpump: London Pride, a pair from Canterbury Ales - copper (£4.10) and Summer Pale - and an IPA from Goody.

Official site of The Royal Oak - theroyaloakblean.co.uk

Official site of The Royal Oak - theroyaloakblean.co.uk