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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by E TA
Submitted on Saturday, 20th July 2024
With picture contributions to 769 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (2 more images)
Detail Pages
Royal Oak, Taunton
Hillcommon
Postal town: Taunton
TA4 1DS
Served areas
Reviews of Royal Oak (Average Rating: 5 of 10) see review guidelines
E TA left this review about Royal Oak
Recently re-opened and returned to its original name (it was for a while known as The Orchard), it has reverted to being a basic roadside pub. The inside has been modernised in a good way, although conversion of the skittle alley to a restaurant is not a good move. There are several TV screens, a pool table, while Radio 2-style pop music is on the hifi. There is a freshly-cooked gastro-style menu, though the pub isn’t a gastro by any means. It’s popular with octogenarians, while one or two other customers, including their dogs, were happy to chat with us. Ales on were Butcombe Oak and Exmoor Fox, and Sheppey’s cider was available. Craft beers were Hazy Day and Ice Breaker, while the keg choices were Estrella Galicia, Guinness and Thatcher’s Gold. A reasonably decent pit-stop.
On 30th July 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3516 recommendations about 3480 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Paris Hilton left this review about The Royal Oak
This pub is now known as the Orchard Inn and I visited for the first time since the re-branding and decoration which seemed to comprise a lick of paint and some new wallpaper only
It must have been pension day when we visited as all the local pensioners were in taking advantage of the £4.75 carvery lunch. Not being a fan of stewed overcooked vegetables and dried up beef myself I did not join them for lunch. However, the beer selection was ok, Otter Ale, Tribute and Exmoor Gold; the Gold was fine. The garden has seen the addition of a patio area however being January was empty apart from the now ever-present smokers. Overall a slight improvement since the days of the Royal Oak, but I'm afraid I won't be rushing back.
On 15th January 2011
- rating: 4
[User has posted 78 recommendations about 62 pubs]
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- Official site of Royal Oak - www.theroyaloakhillcommon.co.uk
- Facebook page of Royal Oak - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Royal Oak - whatpub.com
Taunton, 6.07 miles, 1 hr 57 min walk (show)
Tiverton Parkway, 12.8 miles, 4 hr 7 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.
- Accommodation : No last updated 02 August 2017 by ROB Camra
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 19 July 2024 by ROB Camra
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 02 August 2017 by ROB Camra
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 02 August 2017 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 19 July 2024 by E TA
- Car Park : Yes last updated 02 August 2017 by ROB Camra
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 02 August 2017 by ROB Camra
- Darts : Yes last updated 19 July 2024 by E TA
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 02 August 2017 by ROB Camra
- Function Room : No last updated 19 July 2024 by E TA
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 02 August 2017 by ROB Camra
- Jukebox : No last updated 19 July 2024 by E TA
- Karaoke : No last updated 19 July 2024 by E TA
- Live Music : Yes - Last Friday of the month - last updated 19 July 2024 by ROB Camra
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 19 July 2024 by E TA
- Micropub : No last updated 19 July 2024 by ROB Camra
- Pinball : No last updated 19 July 2024 by ROB Camra
- Pool Table : Yes last updated 19 July 2024 by E TA
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 19 July 2024 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : No last updated 19 July 2024 by ROB Camra
- Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 19 July 2024 by E TA
- WiFi : Yes last updated 19 July 2024 by ROB Camra
