Royal Oak, Lyndhurst

Pub SignMan left this review about Royal Oak

This is a cosy, two-room rural pub found at the end of a country road in the northern part of the New Forest National Park. Entry leads into a bare boarded room with half-height tongue and groove panelling and plain painted walls above, with a small servery tucked away in the rear left corner. Limited tables and chairs are arranged down either side of the room, with a large, lit stone fireplace providing a warm focal point on the back wall. The bar itself is a very basic wood-panelled affair with a whitewashed brick bar back, dominated by a stillage full of casks. Traditional rural-themed paintings line the walls, including a particularly large piece above the fireplace, and there’s a nice timber-framed arch in the centre of the room with dark wood beams. Steps lead down to a small overspill room to the rear offering a few additional seats, although signs make clear that this is a small pub where sharing tables is often necessary, much like in a micropub. A large marquee outside provides further overspill space during busy periods.
The beer range was extensive, served straight from the stillage, and included Cerne Abbas Tiger Tom, Flowerpots Cheriton Porter, options from Bowman and Flack Manor, and at least four other local breweries, although not all were easy to identify without pump clips or a beer board. The Tiger Tom was in fine shape and slipped down easily after a bit of a trek out here across the Forest. The sign wasn't wrong and it looked like we were going to have to share a table with someone until a couple upped and left just as our drinks were served.
I thought this was a very cosy little refuge that provided a welcome sight after yomping out here from some distant part of the National Park. It's not the easiest pub to reach, even by car, but the effort seems well worth it and I was impressed with the quality of their stillage ales - a format of dispense where top quality isn't always assured. I've generally been a bit underwhelmed by pubs that I've tried in the New Forest, but I thought this was a cracker and the sort of place you will be well rewarded for seeking out.

Date of visit – 29th December 2024

On 28^th April 2025 - rating: 8
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