The Royal Oak Inn, Watchet

E TA left this review about The Royal Oak Inn

As stated by Trainman, below, this is a rare rural gem in a discreet village on the edge of Exmoor. It’s an old inn with 14th Century roots, its age evinced by architectural features such as original stone floors, an inglenook fireplace and cobblestones in some areas. There is a small car park next to the pub, but parking in the village can be problematic. The building has evolved, rather than being planned. They still offer B&B, a facility popular with walkers on the Coleridge Trail. The landlord was knowledgable, sociable and very flexible when it came to opening hours. There is a car park nearby and a pleasant garden at the back. It’s cosy and atmospheric, and the landlord ensures everyone gets a genuinely warm welcome. Four handpumps on the bar, two with Porlock Vale ciders, one with Dartmoor Jail Ale and one which had just run out of Fine Tuned Summer Sesh, which was immediately replaced with Glastonbury’s Lady of the Lake. Both the Glastonbury and Dartmoor ales were in perfect condition. There was only one keg option on, Proper Job, which remained unsampled. It’s on the 2025 Somerset CAMRA Ale Trail, which is why we visited this time, but having found it I’m very keen to come back. Well worth the effort to find.

On 21^st August 2025 - rating: 9
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