Rambling old building, originally a blacksmith's, opposite the site of the former Radcliife Infirmary. There are several small rooms giving a traditional feel with some modern touches, with good value food served and two separate garden areas as well as pavement seating. Celebrates Royal Oak Day every May as a charity event. Good range of malt whiskies and some interesting beers on tap. Candidate for dearest pint in Oxford.
Historic Interest
C17 altered C18 Grade II
I was not sufficiently impressed for RI. There are lots of distinct areas but there’s been a lot of pulling around and renewal. The woodwork in the left hand room is a modern work imitating old (baffles etc). (GB 4/06) A 17th & 18th century multi roomed pub still retaining some old fittings. The old screen in front as you enter has a modern window, which may have replaced an off sale hatch. The very small public bar to the right has an old counter, old horizontally panelled walls, a 1930s brick fireplace and old bay window fixed seating (bar back shelving difficult to date). On the left a passageway leads to the rear bar with parquet floor and a counter that could well date from the 1930s, wood panelled walls look old but the room is now double its original size having been extended back in recent times. The small room on the front left retains old bay window seating but other fixed seating and baffles look to date from a 1970s refitting. The rear left tiny room with a parquet floor could also be an original room. 2 rooms to far left and a larger room on the far right (was three small rooms?) are in extensions to the original building and are all modern additions. I think there is enough for a mention or try also in the R I. (MS 9/10)
I was not sufficiently impressed for RI. There are lots of distinct areas but there’s been a lot of pulling around and renewal. The woodwork in the left hand room is a modern work imitating old (baffles etc). (GB 4/06) A 17th & 18th century multi roomed pub still retaining some old fittings. The old screen in front as you enter has a modern window, which may have replaced an off sale hatch. The very small public bar to the right has an old counter, old horizontally panelled walls, a 1930s brick fireplace and old bay window fixed seating (bar back shelving difficult to date). On the left a passageway leads to the rear bar with parquet floor and a counter that could well date from the 1930s, wood panelled walls look old but the room is now double its original size having been extended back in recent times. The small room on the front left retains old bay window seating but other fixed seating and baffles look to date from a 1970s refitting. The rear left tiny room with a parquet floor could also be an original room. 2 rooms to far left and a larger room on the far right (was three small rooms?) are in extensions to the original building and are all modern additions. I think there is enough for a mention or try also in the R I. (MS 9/10)
This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 2 regular beers.
Royal Oak, Oxford