The Oak, Pontefract

This is a dining pub at the crossroads. At the time of my visit a new family had just taken over, so I haven't given an overall rating. There were two hand pumps with Greene King Old Speckled Hen (missing its pump clip) and Purity Mad Goose, which was very good (NBSS 3.5) though £4.40/pint, which I thought was a little dear. Service was friendly though a little unpolished; there was a poster advertising karaoke, and a machine too, but the lass I spoke to didn't know if they would be doing it as it was left by the last people to run the pub, and nobody knew how to work it. I hope they've got things straight now and are doing well. Date of visit: 27th September 2023

Facebook page of The Oak - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Oak - www.facebook.com

Having a couple of hours to spare before meeting a fellow crawler in Donny, I decided to give myself a work-out and yomp up the steep hill from the train station to take in this GBG pub. It’s a big, fairly modern building (1950’s?) with ample space for parking and the large, well-kept beer garden affords impressive views across the valley. Being early I got chatting to a couple of locals who were also waiting for opening time and a friendly bunch they were too, even if they thought I were a queer Southern sort for making such an effort just for a couple of halves of the two beers available (John Smiths and Acorn Pride). As Mr Joines notes below, this must be a GBG regular based solely on the beer quality and I can attest to the outstanding condition of both beers which were fresh and ready-to-go at five minutes past midday, poured by genuinely friendly staff. The interior remains, I imagine, much as it was upon opening, with cosy post-war décor over three separate rooms including a dedicated dining area; if you bag the right seat you can enjoy the valley view. One old boy produced a can of Polish lager and presented it to me as refreshment for my journey back down the hill. Whilst not an ale mecca by any means, it was the best-kept beer I had all day (in fact, all week up in Yorkshire) and it felt like a genuinely welcoming and friendly local. I’d happily go back for a session and would recommend a diversion to sample it. Outstandingly good for what it represents.