The Royal Oak, Guildford

Situated just off the High Street and overlooking the historic Trinity Churchyard is The Royal Oak, a pub that retains dark beams, but has evidently been much altered inside with seemingly little, if anything, original remaining. From the Sydenham Road entrance, half a dozen or so steps lead down to the pub where, on the bar counter, a small advertising flyer exhorts us to “Visit one of the oldest pubs in Guildford” and tells us that it is “Under New Management”. I’ve often wondered why pubs appear to use a change of management in itself as a prime selling point – after all the “new” management might be either better or worse than the previous incumbents. Why not just say “Under Improved Management”, which is effectively the impression they are trying to convey. In any event, a successful Beer and Cider Festival had recently been held over the late August Bank Holiday and – a nice touch this – a notice prominently displayed thanked everyone for their support. Posters advertised the pub’s forthcoming Halloween Party – “The Royal Oak Fright Night”. It’s a pleasant, if rather standard, carpeted interior with the usual mixture of sofas, armchairs, chairs stools and different seating areas. In one corner are some framed Double Gold Discs limited collectors issue items of Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix records. During my visit, a long haired rather scruffy looking chap appeared behind the bar wearing a Led Zeppelin T shirt and I imagine that he is the new landlord. Rather perilously close together in another corner of the room is a dartboard and bar billiards table. Some shelves contain a small collection of old retro radios. Some seats outside at the back are virtually right on the edge of the churchyard and it did feel rather weird sitting there with concrete gravestone slabs little more than a couple of feet away. It’s a Fullers ( ex – Gales ) pub which was serving Bengal Lancer, HSB, London Pride and, notably, Hobgoblin. At the end of the day, I thought this was a fairly average, run of the mill place

The Royal Oak is one of Guildford’s oldest pubs and is pleasantly situated overlooking the Holy Trinity churchyard. Part of the pub used to be the rectory and dates back to the 15th Century. The traditional style interior consists of a single carpeted room with a fairly generic feel, beamed ceilins, a few modern pictures and whilst cosy enough, there isn’t really a great deal that really grabs the attention. It’s also not really a place for a peaceful pint with loud music (as well as regular live bands) and a fairly raucous but seemingly friendly enough customer base on my visit. The pub is part of the Fullers group but the ale choice wasn’t very extensive with just HSB and London Pride available for my visit and a third pump unused. The pub was closed for a few weeks earlier in the year but has now reopened although I am not aware of any material changes since my visit. Whilst it isn’t an essential pub to visit, I wouldn’t have any problems stopping by for a pint when next in town.

Very good pub in general. Owned by Fullers and there is generally three handpump ales available, including the very popular London Pride. Tends to hold darts evenings and music nights occasionally. Worth a visit when in the area.