Helen Browning's Royal Oak

Featured reviews

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  William Pullan

  ·2 weeks ago

  “You always know it’ll be a good country pub when there is a tractor parked in the car park! Took a large group on a Saturday and we were looked after extremely well by the pub staff (even without a booking). Food was absolutely delicious and drink selection very good. The pub has a lovely friendly atmosphere, will absolutely go back”

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• J

  Jessica Armstrong

  ·1 month ago

  “⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Unfortunately, nothing to complain about… We arrived about 15 minutes late for our booking thanks to a small Airbnb emergency, but were welcomed in without any fuss and immediately made to feel at home. We shared the homemade onion bhajis to start — crispy and light rather than greasy, but absolutely packed with flavour. For mains, we had the Eastbrook beef burger and Eastbrook pork loin. The burger was juicy, the seeded bun lovely and soft, and the pork loin was genuinely excellent — juicy and full of flavour with properly crispy fat. The garlicky smashed potatoes were dangerously good, and even the salad deserves a mention considering much of it is grown on the farm itself. Portions are generous. We can only assume the general philosophy at The Royal Oak is “nobody leaves hungry”, and we’re fully supportive of it. A couple of beers later, the bill was actually slightly less than we’d expected for organic, farm-to-table food of this quality. The biggest compliment we can probably give is that, despite having plenty of other places to try while staying in the area, we went back two days later and ate here again. Having since discovered Tim’s responses to the occasional disgruntled TripAdvisor reviewer, we’re actually rather disappointed that we can’t provide him with anything to work with. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

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• R

  Robert Jones

  ·2 months ago

  “Stayed last week. Only for the one night, en route to Southampton. Very friendly, relaxed and pleasant. Car parking was ample. The room was very well put together and the fixtures and fittings were of a far superior quality to others hotels. Staff were patient, charming and very able to do their jobs well. I removed 2 star from the Service category because the beer puns weren’t working in the main bar. Sorry, but had to find something!”

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• K

  Katie Smith

  ·2 months ago

  “Omg, what a pub! The room we had was incredible too (Kate's Folley). Such a quirky vibe to this place. Loved it. Great sense of humour from the owner Tim and the other staff. Lush setting, comfy and homely. Breakfast was banging! Vibes all round. See you again soon x”

• K

  Karsten Meyerhoff

  ·3 months ago

  “Don't go here - if you don't have a sense of humour! The whole place reeks of this very british, quirky sense of humour in the best possible sense! Don't go here - if you are not prepared to be treated nicely and politely and if you don't want to reciprocate. Sooner or later you will find yourself having an interesting conversation with god-knows-who. Don't go here - if you are fixed on the usual pub-grub. Beware of all the good food they are serving, a lot of it from their own farm, no less! They would grow their own bananas, if that was possible, I am sure. Don't go there - if you are into small, crammed rooms - although, I will have to admit, we were upgraded room-wise and stayed in a really luxurious room. Don't go there - if you don't like Tim, the witty and wise host who has a nice word or two or three for everyone. So to wrap up: Don't go there if you are not prepared to have a jolly good time!”

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• S

  Soroya Karim

  ·3 months ago

  “The food was really average but the gardens are beautiful. Room stifling but beautiful bath and comfy bed. Could do with a deep clean. Previous visit much better”

• F

  Fiona Connor

  ·3 months ago

  “Helen Browning’s Royal Oak in Bishopstone was outstanding. The hotel room had a luxury feel and was very comfortable. The ‘common room’ downstairs was very good and great to have fresh milk and treats available there. The pub breakfast was delicious and the shop full of lovely items. Without exception the staff were friendly, welcoming and very helpful. Seven of us had a wonderful stay - thank you all.”

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• D

  Dan Hawkins

  ·3 months ago

  “We haven’t visited this gem of a venue for a couple of years When we arrived today all of the staff were friendly and accommodating, we decided to to have a beer in the garden before relocating to the restaurant This place is an absolute wonderful place!! Special mention to Tim as he remembered that we had visited before, he was riske, funny and attentive to all, there was a lovely lady with red hair(you know who you are) who looked after us so well!! I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who wishes to have a better than average place to eat!!”

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• B

  Benjamin Smythe

  ·4 months ago

  “Came here for lunch. Absolutely peaceful, charmingly quirky and beautiful location, particularly when the sun is beating down on you (like today). Service was exceptional and the meal was just as much, if not more so. The meat in the beef burgers was succulent and juicy while the fries were perfectly seasoned and crispy - the slaw was also a sleeper hit. Would 100% come back again.”

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• J

  Jon Bird

  ·8 months ago

  “Popped in for lunch after long walk on Ridgeway. Great food and I would definitely return. Friendly but attentive service makes all the difference and we were looked after brilliantly. Didn’t stay so can’t comment on rooms but would like to stay in future”