Royal Oak, High Peak

Official site of Royal Oak - www.robinsonsbrewery.com

Official site of Royal Oak - www.robinsonsbrewery.com

There's been a major internal refurbishment since my previous visit six years ago, and the pub is now pretty much one large room with a central bar counter. This has two banks of four hand pumps serving the core range of Robinsons beers: Dizzy Blonde, Unicorn, Wizard and Dark Vader. I asked if they still did Old Tom but they only have it in bottles now. It was quite busy on a Friday evening, with maybe a similar number of customers to the micropub a few doors along, though in a much larger space. Darts seems to be a feature still, with a display of arrows and trophies. This pub has a very bright and modern feel to it, much like the Pride of the Peaks though a lot busier. My half of Wizard was by a long way the poorest drink of the ten I had on this day out in Derbyshire, being well past its best and verging on becoming sour.

I was a stranger from Essex and wandered into this pub to seek directions and a urgent taxi. After ordering a quick drink the two barman phoned cab firms for me and even offered to give me a lift to my location without charge if one couldn't pick me up in a reasonable time. Even the locals joined in to help find my intended destination. Could of stayed for another few but had to pop out for the cab to arrive. Good to know that decent, local, friendly pubs still exist like this.

The Royal Oak is a pleasant two roomed pub with a central rectangular bar that caters for both areas.There was 4 Robinson's cask beer on, with food also being offered at reasonable prices.Felt quite comfortable in here mingling with the locals but thought the décor s little stuck in the 80's with copper topped tables and the like.

Robinsons tied house very nicely decorated was nice and warm on a very wet and cold windy day in November had a good pint of Unicorn will call back