The Royal Oak

Happy days- reviewing my local !!
This Victorian Pub is part of the Spirit Group so don’t expect a threat to The Waterside Inn or Savoy Grill.
This is a down to earth pub – without being spit and sawdust, serving excellent value for money food, and the drinks are cheaper than in many places.
A small public bar, where overalls are accepted but only if language is controlled.
The saloon bar is more comfortable and generally not too cramped apart from the odd Friday or Saturday night – or when a big football match is on the TV. There is a large garden for the summer months and of course a token patio heater for the smokers amongst us.
The bar staff are normally very friendly, although there is as ever one grumpy barmaid who has never been known to smile in the last three years – my commiserations if your visit coincides with one of her luckily infrequent shifts.
They serve a couple of real ales on hand pump, well kept Youngs ordinary, and a guest beer, which almost as in the film can be the verty good, the bad or just plain ugly. Drinkable house wine is as of March 2010 £6.50 a bottle and Carlsberg about £2.30 a pint; house doubles are about £2.50– so you don’t need your mortgage advisor with you.
Back to the food, which is served from noon till 9.00pm; 2 meals for under £9, an 8oz burger with a pint for £5 and some excellent steaks and grills for very little money- also look out for the specials which are generally very good. Sunday roasts can sometimes be a bit 'boil in the bag'
Parking can be a bit hit and miss during the day, but after 6.30 is ok – but who now tends to drive to a pub, luckily I am in walking distance.