Royal Oak, Fritham

The Royal Oak is a New Forest institution which, apart from appearing in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide for over four decades, has also been selected by other guides for awards including being featured as another guide's 'country pub of the year', and it was local CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2016.

In good weather the huge garden can absorb almost limitless numbers but any sudden rain showers can result in the pub's inside becoming very crowded. For much of the year extra covered space is provided in a marquee in the garden or in the yard alongside the pub. While many traditional values remain unchanged, the pub has kept up to date with some 21st century fads like taking card payments.

While there is no food served in the evenings a pizza van calls on Thursdays and some other evenings and a fish & chip van also makes a frequent appearance, check website for dates. In the summer the garden usually has an ice-cream kiosk.

Outside in the garden area are three 'shepherd's bothies' for quiet, away-from-it-all accommodation, for full details see the website: newforestshepherdshuts.co.uk.

A 'pop-up' farm shop can sometimes be found in the garden, with a good range of quality meats, cheeses, and even fishy products (e.g. trout pâté). The hours are flexible but weekends and weekday lunchtimes are a best bet of when to find it present and open.

Car parking is on the public roadside (can get fraught) and nearby Forest car parks.

Buses: X7 at Nomansland Crossroads: a pleasant 3-4 mile walk can be devised. The Summer only New Forest Tour can drop at Longcross, 1¼ miles.