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Detail Pages
The Royal Oak, Derby
Ockbrook
Postal town: Derby
DE72 3SE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Royal Oak
An excellent heritage pub this one, a bit of an effort to get to on the bus from Derby, but well worth it. We arrived slightly before 12 opening and a staff member invited us in, which was a good start. We went straight to the bar and had a choice of four cask ales, Blue Monkey Monkey Puzzle, Bass, Woodforde's Bure Gold and Derby Brewing Spice Pale Ale. We also ordered lunch and took ourselves off into the back lounge, which is set up for dining.
It wasn't too long until a good few more people had the same idea.
The button back bench seating in the dining area had recently been recovered, which was done by a local man on site, what skill !
I especially liked the front snug and tap room which had all the original features. Hope to pay another visit at some point for lunch as the quality was fab and good prices, along with a few pints.
On 21st March 2024
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Royal Oak
A classic multi-roomed pub with a well-preserved interior. The external features are ordinary by comparison, and are not improved by the tent-like shelters in front that seem to have become permanent - they're pictured in Alan's photo of 2010 and are still there now. As well as being on Camra's heritage pubs database, the pub received an award for having been in the Good Beer Guide for 50 years. The pub was run by the same licensee for 68 years - a record - and since her death in 2019 is now run by her son-in-law with the help of his two daughters. He proudly showed me a display of the beers that he commissioned from 12 mostly local breweries (one per month) to celebrate his mother-in-law's 60 years in the pub. There were three beers on at the time of my visit (see photo), and I went for the Bass, which was in good but not outstanding condition. My visit had to be a quick one because of the bus timetable, though as it turned out the bus was taken out of service and I had to walk about a mile to the main road for a different bus back into Spondon. Perhaps a longer visit in summer would be better.
On 3rd February 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3482 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Royal Oak
A charming gem run by the same family since the early 50's which probably accounts for the unspoilt and traditional interior.Once past the large awning giving cover to the benches for smokers,the entrance leads to a door to the Tap room to the left and Snug to the right.The Tap room is basic with a large fitted bench running around the walls while the Snug is smaller,carpeted,one wall wood panneled,an electric fire and a tiny serving hatch with a bell cord.
Along the central corridor,the main bar is in the middle of the building surrounded by more bench seating and this is where the regulars gather.At the rear there is a large restaurant,but still retaining a 50's atmosphere while I failed to discover both the skittles alley and games room during my lunchtime trip.
The welcome was genuine and very friendly and besides the regular Bass,the three guests were Derventio Olive's (Diamond) Pale to celebrate Olive's 60 years at the pub,Rudgate Ready Malted and Falstaff Plato MILD,top quality and £3.10.Modest muzak of ballards completed the calm atmosphere.No sign of any machines,flatscreens or other modern distractions.
Food is popular here and I had a good ham bap and salad for £3.75,while mains seemed priced £6-£7 with a lot of daily specials.As Alan notes the pub closes weekday afternoons at 2.30pm,it doesnt seem the sort of pub that appeals to all day drinkers anyway.A GBG regular and quite rightly so,it has won numerous local CAMRA awards.
If you are in the area this is a must visit,only a shame I live so far away.I doubt if I will find many better pub on my travels this year.
On 9th May 2013
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Royal Oak
This is a very nice pub that has been spoilt outside because there is now a large tent there for smokers but once inside things hav'nt changed here in years when we last came in there was still a small room either side of the entrance and the bar area was through the corridor there was 3 or 4 handpumps on the bar Bass seems to be permanent but this was always a Bass house the other beers are from micro brewerys i car'nt remember what beer i had but it was very drinkable,there is no proper hot food here but you can order cobs i had one of the best cheese and onion cobs ive ever had here this pub is well worth a visit. PS The pub may not be open all day during the week
On 13th July 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
mark franik left this review about The Royal Oak
A gem in Ockbrook very impressed with the unspoilt original interior and the landlady (or the woman behind the bar) advised it has been in the good beer guide for the last 30 years.
On 17th October 2009
- rating: 10
[User has posted 57 recommendations about 57 pubs]