My family and I arrived at the Royal Oak today after a long cycle ride desperate to refuel only to find it was shut (the pub closes on a Monday and Tuesday). A member of staff was just leaving when they noticed us and when we explained, they were only too happy to help us and provide a drink and snack. This was an incredibly kind gesture and can only make me think what a warm and friendly atmosphere the pub has when it's open. I can't wait to go back and enjoy spending longer there next time.This small act of kindness the staff showed us means I will always remember the pub and it will be the first place I frequent next time I'm back in the New Forest.
Jon Lyndene
Friendly staff, good food, great beer. What more do you need.
Rachel Hodges
We had the BEST time and experience at The Royal Oak. My husband and I arrived after a long walk at 3pm. We were welcomed by the lovely AGM and service staff. So lovely to speak to and with great food! We were very happy to be served at a very random time on a Thursday!
Miles Tarpey
A great place for lunch. Simple menu and very reasonable. Basically lots of different ploughman's and all really tasty. No bookings taken so you might have to wait a bit at peak times. If its busy its well worth the wait. Will definitely be going back.
Mark Stinchcombe
It's a fantastic pub with fantastic food. Highly recommend the ploughman's. Lovely location to have a walk, before collapsing in front of the fire, with a pint and food.
Frank Parry
A perfect pub, one I've frequented over the years, by bike and car. Idyllic surroundings, good selection of local ales (Hopback etc), tapped straight from the casks, racked and chilled behind the bar – it does not get better. The ploughman's ingredients are again all locally sourced: the quiches (superb), cheeses, hams, trout (pate), pickles, you name it. Please never change this pub, it is perfection.
RICK GRIMM
No meals ,small but place, but it was way to crowded with no meal
ryan povey
Avoid at all costs. Customer service was extremely rude.
Neil Doerdan
Small and quaint pub. Opens at 11 food starts at 12. Lovely long fires ?. Can get busy and sign asks people to be open to share tables.
maxina nita hebberd
Disappointed with cheeses ploughman’s. Cheese was lovely but two thin slices, but the bread was a hot doughy panini , rock hard Pat of butter, sliced large onion that had been pickled so far too vinegary unedible, small pot chutney, side salad bits from bag, half sliced apple and soft pickled carrot? Would prefer chunk of cheese real granary or farmhouse type bread, pickled onion etc traditional. Will stick to soup as previously.
What can I say that hasn’t already been said. I am from the states and saw it on Remarkable Places to Eat. I could eat a ploughmans every day of my life and be happy.
Touringmiles
Quite simply the best Ploughman’s Lunch set in a lovely old, friendly pub. We’ve been several times since we first discovered it in early 2023.
nicolejadem
We were greeted by a very unwelcoming member of staff. After asking if we could have a table for 7 we were told with a scoff ‘if you can find one’. After then ordering 5 cups of tea we were rudely told off for ‘dirtying’ the saucer with our tea bags and had the milk and sugar thrown down in front of us. Was the most expensive cup of tea in the new forest and was NOT WORTH IT AT ALL. The owners of this establishment would do well to replace this rude barman. This is unfortunate as the rest of the staff were friendly and have been going here for years and was always pleased in the past.
Emma Knight
We all enjoyed a delicious ploughman's. Lovely cosy pub, friendly and attentive staff in a beautiful setting.
Andy Bishop
A lovely little pub with various ploughman's lunch options and a good choice of ales. Nice after a little walk in the new forest. No bookings. Keep it quiet though, we don't want the atmosphere ruined by too many people ??
My family and I arrived at the Royal Oak today after a long cycle ride desperate to refuel only to find it was shut (the pub closes on a Monday and Tuesday). A member of staff was just leaving when they noticed us and when we explained, they were only too happy to help us and provide a drink and snack. This was an incredibly kind gesture and can only make me think what a warm and friendly atmosphere the pub has when it's open. I can't wait to go back and enjoy spending longer there next time.This small act of kindness the staff showed us means I will always remember the pub and it will be the first place I frequent next time I'm back in the New Forest.
Friendly staff, good food, great beer. What more do you need.
We had the BEST time and experience at The Royal Oak. My husband and I arrived after a long walk at 3pm. We were welcomed by the lovely AGM and service staff. So lovely to speak to and with great food! We were very happy to be served at a very random time on a Thursday!
A great place for lunch. Simple menu and very reasonable. Basically lots of different ploughman's and all really tasty. No bookings taken so you might have to wait a bit at peak times. If its busy its well worth the wait. Will definitely be going back.
It's a fantastic pub with fantastic food. Highly recommend the ploughman's. Lovely location to have a walk, before collapsing in front of the fire, with a pint and food.
A perfect pub, one I've frequented over the years, by bike and car. Idyllic surroundings, good selection of local ales (Hopback etc), tapped straight from the casks, racked and chilled behind the bar – it does not get better. The ploughman's ingredients are again all locally sourced: the quiches (superb), cheeses, hams, trout (pate), pickles, you name it. Please never change this pub, it is perfection.
No meals ,small but place, but it was way to crowded with no meal
Avoid at all costs. Customer service was extremely rude.
Small and quaint pub. Opens at 11 food starts at 12. Lovely long fires ?. Can get busy and sign asks people to be open to share tables.
Disappointed with cheeses ploughman’s. Cheese was lovely but two thin slices, but the bread was a hot doughy panini , rock hard Pat of butter, sliced large onion that had been pickled so far too vinegary unedible, small pot chutney, side salad bits from bag, half sliced apple and soft pickled carrot? Would prefer chunk of cheese real granary or farmhouse type bread, pickled onion etc traditional. Will stick to soup as previously.
Restaurantji Recommends
What can I say that hasn’t already been said. I am from the states and saw it on Remarkable Places to Eat. I could eat a ploughmans every day of my life and be happy.
Quite simply the best Ploughman’s Lunch set in a lovely old, friendly pub. We’ve been several times since we first discovered it in early 2023.
We were greeted by a very unwelcoming member of staff. After asking if we could have a table for 7 we were told with a scoff ‘if you can find one’. After then ordering 5 cups of tea we were rudely told off for ‘dirtying’ the saucer with our tea bags and had the milk and sugar thrown down in front of us. Was the most expensive cup of tea in the new forest and was NOT WORTH IT AT ALL. The owners of this establishment would do well to replace this rude barman. This is unfortunate as the rest of the staff were friendly and have been going here for years and was always pleased in the past.
We all enjoyed a delicious ploughman's. Lovely cosy pub, friendly and attentive staff in a beautiful setting.
A lovely little pub with various ploughman's lunch options and a good choice of ales. Nice after a little walk in the new forest. No bookings. Keep it quiet though, we don't want the atmosphere ruined by too many people ??