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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Wednesday, 27th September 2023
With picture contributions to 12229 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (12 more images)
Detail Pages
The Oak, Pontefract
South Elmsall
Postal town: Pontefract
WF9 2DT
Served areas
Reviews of The Oak (Average Rating: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Oak
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
On 22nd January 2025
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Barnsley Oak
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.
On 31st August 2012
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
James Joines left this review about Barnsley Oak
Johns, plus guest Real Ales, food offering and a large beer garden.
Large car park.
#GBG 2008 listed#
On 16th April 2008
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 841 recommendations about 835 pubs]
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- Facebook page of The Oak - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Oak - whatpub.com
Moorthorpe, 1.59 miles, 30 min walk (show)
Thurnscoe, 5.42 miles, 1 hr 44 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 27 September 2023 by Will Larter
- Car Park : Yes last updated 27 September 2023 by Will Larter
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 27 September 2023 by Will Larter
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 27 September 2023 by Will Larter
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 27 September 2023 by Will Larter
- Karaoke : Yes - See Facebook - last updated 27 September 2023 by Will Larter
- Live Music : Yes - Friday - see Facebook - last updated 27 September 2023 by Will Larter
- Quiz Night : Yes - Sunday - last updated 27 September 2023 by Will Larter
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- WiFi : Yes last updated 27 September 2023 by Will Larter
