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Detail Pages
The Royal Oak, Cheltenham
Prestbury
Postal town: Cheltenham
GL52 3DL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Helen Iwanczuk left this review about The Royal Oak
After a trip to Winchcombe, we decided to pay a call at the Royal Oak in Prestbuy. We didn't get further than the pub garden. My partner went inside to the bar, and asked for a pint of Butcombe. He was spoken to in an abrupt manner, by the bar maid/mangeress, who told him to go to the other bar to order a drink. Understandably, he walked straight out of the pub, without having purchased anything. It is almost as if they don't want the custom. Their wish will be granted.
On 29th October 2023
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 256 recommendations about 196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Royal Oak
Butcombe brewery pub with a countryside vibe located not that far from Cheltenham racecourse. 3 real ales on during my visit.
On 15th November 2021
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Royal Oak
The pub has the look of a countryside local,yet it is situated in a smart northern suburb of Cheltenham near the racecourse.The entrance opens on two doors,restaurant right ,bar left.We weren't eating so into the bar it was,with it's polished wood floor,wooden clad bar,fitted bench seating and some low cross beams.A wood burner stool opposite the bar,it felt smart but traditional with no tv,muzak,machine distractions.Horse brasses completed the rustic feel.
There were 5 handpumps drawing TT Landlord,Severn Vale Luverley Jub'lee,Salopian Oracle,fff Citra Sonic (on good form) and Thatchers Heritage Cider.A decent selection.A board described the lunchtime specials with mains ranging from £9-£12,so I guess you can eat in the bar if you wish.Another board described future events at the pub,an acoustic night,cider & cheese festival,Belgian night so this pub is more than a food orientated establishment,a local atmosphere is generated.
Worthy of it's GBG listing,I would definitely revisit and maybe try the food as well next time.
On 20th July 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Royal Oak
Really pleasant Cotswold stone pub in the village of Prestbury just north of Cheltenham, which is well described by John below, and nothing additional to add for the description of the pub.
As we were staying in the north of Cheltenham we decided to do a circular walk through Pittville Park to the pump room, and then along into Prestbury to take this one in as a half way stop before returning to the east side of Cheltenham and it was a great way to spend a couple of hours.
As described it is very much a food led pub with a menu which firmly sits above standard pub fare in the restaurant bracket, for which it scores highly on trip advisor. And, apart from a couple of old boys in the snug and us two out in the garden, everyone else had come to eat.
But we had dropped in for the beer and in this respect we were not disappointed.
Four ale pumps and one additional for Thatchers Heritage cider and the ales on were Salopian Oracle, TT Landlord, Dickensian Brewery Martin Guzzlewit and one named after pub landlord Robin Carter which apparently is his first beer released under his newly-founded Tivoli Beer Company, which he hopes to develop into a micro-brewery, but is currently brewed by one of the local Cheltenham breweries although I’m not sure which one.
We tried them all whilst here and they were all in good condition , and the Landlords own pint was a decent golden ale and a good session beer if we had had time to stay around and have more.
On 31st May 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about The Royal Oak
In the village of Prestbury, a mile or so outside Cheltenham, is The Royal Oak, an attractive looking Cotswold stone building. The pub apparently dates back to 1849. Outside, we see the now familiar “West Country Ales 1760 – Best in the West “ ceramic tiled logo and, on the right hand side, some attractive etched windows.
It’s a 2 bar pub with a drinkers snug bar on the left and a dedicated dining room on the right. The bar features a parquet floor, honey coloured walls, an open fire and plenty of horse brasses on the dark oak beams. Reflecting the proximity of Cheltenham racecourse – it’s apparently the nearest pub – there’s several horse racing prints. Note also the photograph of the famous former cricketer, Tom Graveney, being presented to Prince Philip and the Queen before a Test Match. Tom Graveney was, apparently, once the landlord here and is still a regular, although there was no sign of him on my recent Sunday afternoon visit. The Burgage – the street in which the pub is situated – is reputedly one of the most haunted streets in England. One small area of the pub is named as Prestbury Ghost Corner, the home of Prestbury Independent State Society, whose highlighted initials act as a timely reminder not to take them seriously. In summary, it’s a pleasant traditional interior with no music or other distractions and something of a slightly upmarket feel to it.
The restaurant is highly regarded. Food is a definite step up from normal pub food and prices reflect this.
At the back, a pleasant garden leads to an annexed building – “The Pavilion” – which is used for live music and various functions. On my visit, a post christening party was in progress and the baby concerned was bawling and screeching for all it was worth, making sure that everyone was in no doubt that this was his day.
4 pumps ( one for cider ) were serving TT Landlord, Youngs Ordinary and Purity Mad Goose Pale Ale, the latter being in splendid form - £ 3.30p. A blackboard lists forthcoming beers. The pub is a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular.
This pub is well worth seeking out – it’s a short bus ride from Cheltenham
On 21st October 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]