The Royal Oak, Kinson, Bournemouth

This community local in the North Bournemouth suburb of Kinson is currently under threat of closure as planning permission has been given for Tesco's to build a store in the area and their plans involve putting a loading bay where the pub currently stands. East Dorset CAMRA, who named the Royal Oak their Pub of the Year for 2010, has been helping to campaign for Tesco to rethink their plans and incorporate the pub in some way. Only time will tell how successful such a campaign might be, but for the time being the pub happily remains open and serving its appreciative customers. Kinson used to be a village and although it is now a fairly unattractive suburban area, the Royal Oak hints at the past as it has the look and feel of a village pub. It has a traditional two room interior with a small carpeted public bar to the left on entry and a larger lounge bar on the other side. The public bar has white walls with dark beams and some low, wide and comfortable bench seating around three or four tables including one under the large bay window that dominates one end of the room. A brick fireplace with an old gas fire in it takes up much of one wall and there is a shelf above which is lined with old blow torches. In the lounge bar the decor is much the same, with carpet and white wood panelled walls. There are fireplaces at either end of the room and one of them has a large Royal Oak mirror above it. There are more padded benches in here, running under the windows at the front of the pub and regular tables and chairs in the rest of the room. A rather ugly DJ booth was set up at the back of the room and it looks like it gets regular use, despite seeming to be quite out of place. There was a fairly eclectic soundtrack playing during my stay and I spotted a TV on one wall, which was turned off whilst I was there. The walls are decorated with various beer related items including a lot of Hobgoblin posters and a small pump clip collection above the bar counter. The landlord tries to support local breweries where possible and this was reflected by the choice of ale on offer to me. Sixpenny 6d Special (£2.90), Cotleigh Howzat, Piddle Cocky Hop, Purbeck Studland Bay Wrecked and Flack Manor Double Drop were on the pumps as well as a real cider. I tried the Sixpenny which was excellent, if perhaps a little too cold, and the Piddle which wasn't really to my taste but in good shape nonetheless. The staff seemed like a friendly bunch and I can see why the locals value this place so much. I'm glad I made the effort to visit this place and would hope that it continues to serve an area that is otherwise bereft of decent pubs rather than becoming another Tesco casualty. Whilst this isn't one of the easiest of pubs in Bournemouth to get to, I would suggest that it is worth making a bit of effort (20 minutes on the bus from Bournemouth train station) to seek it out and lend your support to their campaign.

Dave runs' the royal oak. He takes full pride in his real ales. Its a great little pub, and it has a warm atmosphere. Well worth a visit if your in the area. dave and the regulars are real f1 fans so lots of f1 pictures etc on display.