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Disappointment of the week with Real Ale Ray
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by paulof horsham
Submitted on Sunday, 11th June 2023
With picture contributions to 4577 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (4 more images)
Detail Pages
Royal Oak, Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells
TN2 4SY
Served areas
Reviews of Royal Oak (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Royal Oak
Notable real ale pub and a decent spot for a pint or two, located just a few minutes walk from Tunbridge Wells's main shopping streets. The entrance is raised above street level, so you cross a compact front patio terrace on the way in. All dark-wood panelling inside, so it appears quite gloomy in parts, but the opened-out interior has plenty of character and ample seating around the island bar. Just the sort of place you would expect to find bar billiards, and of course you do. Live music advertised too. Four of seven handpumps operational on this visit, with Harvey's, Welton's Old Cocky, Whitstable Bay Native and local favourite 360° Pale #39 (£3.70).
On 13th August 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
paulof horsham left this review about Royal Oak
With a clientele ranging from young tattooed goths to tipsy grannies, via your Mum & Dad (and Pubs Galore reviewers), this is truly a proper 'local'. The good crowd indicates its value to the community and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my recent visit.
Wood panelling and subdued background music ensured that conversation was not drowned out. Beer was of good quality and variety - Larkins, Dark Star & Harveys on 3 pumps (the 4th left unused). Only 1 of the 3 barrels on the bar was labelled - this had Harveys Christmas Ale and would have been sampled had it not been for the regrettably early calling of last orders (at least there was no shooing-out, so we finished our pints in peace).
My exploration of Tunbridge Wells's pubs is in its early stages, but this is definitely one to revisit.
On 28th December 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 453 recommendations about 425 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Royal Oak
After a nice walk through Calverley Park I found this pleasant, traditional pub and popped in for a quick pint. The interior is fairly traditional with its dark wood panelled walls and faded carpets framing the room which is dominated by the large island bar. The pub is essentially one big room, but the way the bar is positioned means that it feels like there are plenty of different spaces to explore. There is a small front section with a dartboard and a much larger area at the rear with banquettes and a few standard tables and chairs. To one side of the bar there is a large sofa underneath a big bookcase and a wall full of framed photos of various movie stars.
There were four ales on - Dark Star Old Chestnut, Harvey's Best, Larkin's Best Bitter (£3.10) and Tunbridge Wells Golden Sovereign. The Larkin's was in top condition, despite an apology from the barman who confessed to accidentally kicking the barrel earlier in the day. He offered to replace the pint if it was cloudy, but it settled quickly and was very enjoyable.
Food is available from Wednesday to Saturday as well as Sunday lunchtime, but I arrived too late in the day to give it a try. There is a decent sized seating area out in the front garden, including a small smoking shelter, which was almost full thanks to the fine weather that day.
This was a nice spot for an afternoon rest and I would have happily stayed for another pint had I not needed to move on.
On 19th July 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
No known official website for this pub.
- Facebook - The Royal Oak Tunbridge Wells
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Royal Oak - whatpub.com
High Brooms, 1.7 miles, 32 min walk (show)
Frant, 2.92 miles, 56 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 08 June 2023 by paulof horsham
- Bar Billiards : Yes last updated 13 August 2016 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 08 June 2023 by paulof horsham
- Car Park : Yes last updated 08 June 2023 by paulof horsham
- Live Music : Yes last updated 08 June 2023 by paulof horsham
- Micropub : No last updated 08 June 2023 by paulof horsham
- Quiz Night : Yes last updated 08 June 2023 by paulof horsham
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 28 December 2011 by Will Larter
