The Oak, Aylesbury

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.