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Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Wednesday, 19th January 2022
With picture contributions to 12005 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (5 more images)
Detail Pages
The Royal Oak, Derby
Ockbrook
Postal town: Derby
DE72 3SE
Served areas
Reviews of The Royal Oak (Average Rating: 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 3531 recommendations about 3531 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 4076 recommendations about 3769 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 2874 recommendations about 2874 pubs]
View more reviews of The Royal Oak (5)
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- Official site of The Royal Oak - www.royaloakockbrook.com
- Facebook - The Royal Oak, Ockbrook
- Twitter - Royal Oak Ockbrook
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Royal Oak - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
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 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra
- Beer Festivals : Yes - October - last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : Yes - 10p per pint, 5p per half - last updated 08 March 2017 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : Yes last updated 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra
- Darts : Yes last updated 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra
- Dog Friendly : Yes - Evenings only - last updated 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra
- Live Music : Yes last updated 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra
- Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra
- WiFi : Yes last updated 14 July 2014 by ROB Camra