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Beer of the Week (w/e 14th June 2026) with Mobyduck
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Royal Oak, Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells
TN2 4SY
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about Royal Oak
I’ve driven past the Royal Oak more times than I care to remember, so I’m not sure why I’d not visited before my visit on bank holiday Monday a couple of weeks ago. The walls are wood panelled throughout and the U-shaped Island bar has counters that face banquettes and sofas across the windows either side of the front entrance, tables and a large glass display case full of old Good Beer Guides up the right-hand wall and open plan seating at the rear between booths up the left-hand wall and a live performance area with piano in the right rear corner. Up the left behind the bar are some tables, chairs and a bar billiards table. Televisions throughout were playing muted snooker on the BBC and there was some very low background music. Live music is advertised for the weekends and there’s a quiz every other Wednesday. The counter supports premium keg alongside seven hand pumps that were drawing Harveys Best, Gadd’s HPA, Titsey Brewing’s Extra Special Birthday and Kent Brewery’s Black Gold alongside Turners Apple Pie Cider and Charrington’s The Earl’s Reserve Cider. The final hand pump has two Lilley’s cider clips, so I assume there were a couple of boxes somewhere behind the counter. I found the ESB to be a bit sweet so I wouldn’t have it again. I thought the governor was very friendly and even though it was very quiet I enjoyed my visit, so I’ll be returning at some point.
On 15th May 2026
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6674 recommendations about 6636 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Royal Oak
Notable real ale pub and a decent spot for a pint or two, located just a few minutes walk from Tunbridge Wells's main shopping streets. The entrance is raised above street level, so you cross a compact front patio terrace on the way in. All dark-wood panelling inside, so it appears quite gloomy in parts, but the opened-out interior has plenty of character and ample seating around the island bar. Just the sort of place you would expect to find bar billiards, and of course you do. Live music advertised too. Five of the seven handpumps in use on this first revisit for eight years, offering Tonbridge Traditional, The Pardoner's Tale from Canterbury Ales, the Cellar Head (r.i.p.) IPA, Harvey's Sussex (£6.00, ouch!) and Five Points Dark Mild. The Sisters from Harvey's was coming on another one next, and the other handle had clips for two of the four ciders available from boxes on the bar-back.
On 15th July 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 9165 recommendations about 9165 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
paulof horsham left this review about Royal Oak
With a clientele ranging from young tattooed goths to tipsy grannies, via your Mum & Dad (and Pubs Galore reviewers), this is truly a proper 'local'. The good crowd indicates its value to the community and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my recent visit.
Wood panelling and subdued background music ensured that conversation was not drowned out. Beer was of good quality and variety - Larkins, Dark Star & Harveys on 3 pumps (the 4th left unused). Only 1 of the 3 barrels on the bar was labelled - this had Harveys Christmas Ale and would have been sampled had it not been for the regrettably early calling of last orders (at least there was no shooing-out, so we finished our pints in peace).
My exploration of Tunbridge Wells's pubs is in its early stages, but this is definitely one to revisit.
On 28th December 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 663 recommendations about 616 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Royal Oak
After a nice walk through Calverley Park I found this pleasant, traditional pub and popped in for a quick pint. The interior is fairly traditional with its dark wood panelled walls and faded carpets framing the room which is dominated by the large island bar. The pub is essentially one big room, but the way the bar is positioned means that it feels like there are plenty of different spaces to explore. There is a small front section with a dartboard and a much larger area at the rear with banquettes and a few standard tables and chairs. To one side of the bar there is a large sofa underneath a big bookcase and a wall full of framed photos of various movie stars.
There were four ales on - Dark Star Old Chestnut, Harvey's Best, Larkin's Best Bitter (£3.10) and Tunbridge Wells Golden Sovereign. The Larkin's was in top condition, despite an apology from the barman who confessed to accidentally kicking the barrel earlier in the day. He offered to replace the pint if it was cloudy, but it settled quickly and was very enjoyable.
Food is available from Wednesday to Saturday as well as Sunday lunchtime, but I arrived too late in the day to give it a try. There is a decent sized seating area out in the front garden, including a small smoking shelter, which was almost full thanks to the fine weather that day.
This was a nice spot for an afternoon rest and I would have happily stayed for another pint had I not needed to move on.
On 19th July 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3387 recommendations about 3387 pubs]