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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat on the Pub Forum

Royal Oak, Salisbury

Pub added by E TA
Common Lane
Swallowcliffe
Postal town: Salisbury
SP3 5PA

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

E TA left this review about Royal Oak

A village pub since 1852, originally an 18th Century tannery, renovated and rejuvenated around 8 years ago and saved from the developers. It’s very much a village local, though this is enhanced by also being an excellent restaurant. The original building at the front has been knocked through on one side to form a large, long bar. There is seating at the bar, a couple of tables and some sofas near the fire. At one end is a huge inglenook with a very welcoming open fire, while beyond that is another seating area. At the rear there is a large new timber-framed conservatory extension which is primarily a dining room. It all feels light and airy, cosy yet open, and is comfortable any way you look at it. It certainly isn’t cliched – the exterior is listed and has retained its traditional look, while the interior is modern, functional and entirely in keeping with its village pub role. The food is excellent and while pricier than some places, not as expensive as it might be given that everything is freshly cooked and sourced from local suppliers. There is parking at the front, a decent dog-friendly secluded rear garden and they offer B and B. Three ales on: Hophead Dark Star, Plain Ales’s Wintertide and Gritchie’s English Lore, all in perfect condition. The staff were extremely pleasant and welcoming, they went out of their way to welcome us as well as attend to their regulars. The other clients were friendly, a mixed bag from across the area, all enjoying good food and ale. The model village pub, a venue of choice for diners and unspoilt by its association with a minor celebrity.

On 21st February 2023 - rating: 9
[User has posted 3516 recommendations about 3480 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

hondo . left this review about Royal Oak

some say James May has bought 50% of the pub

On 27th October 2020 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 2933 recommendations about 2866 pubs]