Royal Oak Inn in Cheltenham

Wow!! What fabulous food and service we had tonight! I can't recommend Matt and his team enough. Violet was outstanding! Would employ her tomorrow! Thank you so much and will definitely be back!👏❤

We booked this pub on the back of all the good reviews on TripAdvisor whilst we were staying locally for the weekend. I was going to order the pie but it was sold out, it happens, no problem. So I instead ordered the chicken milanese, 2 chicken fillets, covered in cheese and a rocket salad for just under £20. It didn't come with any chips etc so ordered a side for just shy of £5. When it came out it was what looked like two deep fried fillets with a bit of cheese on top, a small pile of rocket and two small salad leaves. The side of chips was about ten in a silver cup! Now, don't get me wrong, I totally get that costs have risen etc but if they can, with good conscience, charge £20 for two crispy chicken fillets and a small pile of rocket and essentially call that a meal and then charge £5 for a handful of chips if you wanted them, then it's a very poor show. The chicken was no different to a pair of crispy fillets you'd get in tesco for £3, the chips were very nice but £5?!?! The pub was really nice, the staff were lovely but when we're up here next time, it's not a pub we'll ever be returning to sadly.

We have eaten here before on a Sunday and it has been great, so we booked again for my daughters birthday meal. Really disappointed, food was lovely but the service was really slow. It is table service however we consistently had to ask for service and chase up drinks and table sauces whilst our food was getting cold. The final thing was to ask for dessert menu, which the person clearly for got about and we were left waiting so long that we changed our mind and asked for the bill instead. This experience really disappointed me for what was a special day.

Fantastic meal to celebrate my birthday with family and friends. The food and service were outstanding and great choice on the menu. Thank you to all concerned for looking after us so well.

An impromptu lunch and it was once again outstanding! we both had chicken and leek homemade pies one with mash and gravy the other with chips. We followed this with Sticky date puddings and ice cream - out of this world! I will certainly "engineer" another impromptu lunch very soon.

Brilliant pub. Great atmosphere. Staff great. Good food to die for. Enjoyed eating outside. If you are in the area it's a must for food.

Tutto davvero molto buono ma il posto è spettacolare! Abbiamo mangiato il pasticcio della settimana accompagnato con patate e spinaci, fish & cips e una sorta di filetto. Tutto molto meritevole, la birra invece nella media.

Goshia the Head Bar Manager is fantastic, her customer service is second to none. She always has a smile on her face and interacts with all the customers and especially those of us who are regulars. Nothing is ever too much trouble. As a successful businessman, I would not hesitate in employing her.

Thank you Timea. Great bar service, good wine selection, love the Chardonnay and also the Thatchers cider. Lovely pub garden with lots of seating sunny or shaded.

Great pub with friendly locals and staff. Next to a small B rd but it’s so quiet it’s still nice to sit in the beer garden. Really tasty well presented food, only loses a star for ma as limited vegan options.

Great stay again at The Royal Oak !!! Super friendly staff, delicious food and a fabulous clean , comfortable and well decorated room. I would recommend their roast too . Well worth a visit if passing or for a weekend away in the countryside to relax 👏👌

Went for Sunday lunch. Very disappointed, beef very tough. Food almost cold, served on cold plates. Some staff not very helpful

My family visited for a second time this weekend and our experience did not disappoint. Friendly and attentive service, high-quality and delicious food and reasonable prices. Lovely atmosphere too, a strong restaurant feel. While the food was delayed, this possibility was communicated prior to ordering and we were even gifted a complimentary bottle of Prosecco as an apology while we waited! We will definitely be returning soon.

The restaurant was empty bar one table which was occupied by 3 people on a Saturday night. The food was awful, it was bland and overcooked! The service from the surly waitress was terrible. She was sloppy, completely disinterested in our order and quite frankly rude. The food here used to be excellent before the new manager took over. Do not waste your money here. The high prices do not reflect the poor quality of the food. The pub bar was also empty on a Saturday! Says it all really!!

The staff were so unwelcoming I don’t think they were enjoying working behind the bar No smile no greeting just a mumble we are staying at the race course walked down for a few drinks and we’re looking forward to a nice meal We did not feel comfortable so left without eating Would not recommend

We popped in for lunch to be very surprised at the new menu. We had the Isle of Wight tomato bruschetta and smoked bacon and cheddar croquettes followed by Castlemead Farm Chicken and English Lamb Kofta, with a bottle of Prosecco. All of the flavours bounced in my mouth it was definitely the best meal I have eaten here! We will most certainly be back!!

Went for a Sunday Lunch. Table pre-booked for 14.45. We were able select a table. Having done so we waited for so long to be attended to that I helped myself to a Menu and then went to the bar to place a drinks order. The order taken, the waiter said he would deliver them to the table. They arrived 10 minutes later! Food was ordered Beef and Chicken. When it arrived, and I mean when, my beef looked great. However, I never got chance to eat because my wife had been given a Chicken Leg and it was a Chicken Leg with no additional meat attached. It looked as if it had been deep fried from the freezer. It made Bob Cratchets bird look force fed!! When I complained, the lady, who I presumed to be in charge said, ‘It doesn’t state on the menu what part of the bird’ Utter disgrace. You should be ashamed of yourselves

My friend treated me to a Sunday Roast here for my birthday, after 1500 they have a 3 courses for the price of two deal. I started off with the Fish cakes which were excellent, and then a Traditional Roast Beef followed by Crumble and Custard. Excellent food and service with massive portions

60th birthday dinner for nine. All agreed the food was excellent. We were looked after very well. The inn has lots of character. A really first class evening.

Disappointed with Sunday Roast. The best thing was kale. Yorkie was cooked to much. Roast potatoes looked anaemic and needed more time in the oven. Asked for bread sauce which came out cold, in a cold silver pot the same as horseradish and apple sauce. Had to repeatedly ask for jug of water. Plate not hot and food not hot enough. Pudding was great.

Spent two nights situated few minutes walk from river and local tea rooms. Food Excellent as was service and location.

Superb Sunday lunch. Roast beef and pork cooked really well, good selection of vegetables followed by delicious crumble and custard. Excellent service as well. New management has really got the pub back to where it was so well done to all concerned. Thank you.

The Royal Oak Inn exudes the charm and character of a quintessential British pub. With its cozy atmosphere and welcoming ambiance, it's the perfect spot to unwind with friends or enjoy a hearty meal after a long day. Stepping into The Royal Oak Inn, you're immediately enveloped in the warmth of the rustic decor and the inviting aroma of traditional pub fare. The atmosphere is relaxed and convivial, with friendly staff ready to greet you with a smile. While the pub itself may be small in size, the flavors of the food are anything but. Despite the modest portions, each dish is packed with satisfying goodness that leaves you feeling pleasantly full. From classic pub favorites like fish and chips to hearty pies and succulent burgers, the menu at The Royal Oak Inn offers something for every palate.

Fabulous evening. New owner Gail is doing a fabulous job in turning this pub around and producing excellent food from Chef Mark and a great ambience. Highly recommended.

Great food and friendly staff, very enjoyable

Under cooked slimy onions and inedible bacon plus £8 for a glass of wine, food no good and over priced.

Lovely location, food and service nice enough but not outstanding.

We had a delicious Sunday Lunch at the Royal Oak this week. Service was very friendly and prompt. There was a great variety of vegetables, including red cabbage and cauliflower cheese, with a good choice of meat, too. If you didn't fancy a roast, they had other options. Lovely roaring fire, good beer and wine, generous servings. You get the impression of good hospitality here.

Average review. My Sunday roast was on the cold side and lacking in vegetables. The dessert choices were poor . Service was good. Atmosphere nice.

It doesn't get any better than this for dining. Scrumptious food and good service and fantastic location

Was looking forward to eating here but sadly was dissatisfied- Menu was IMO bland, nothing on there that was particularly interesting. Wasn’t the warmest of welcomes and seemed everything was a little too much trouble - considering our bill with 3 bottles of wine came to over £300 never worth it !!

We had booked a table for 2pm on a Saturday, and had asked for one of the corner tables in the little bar area as we have two small dogs, I was told at the time of booking that this was fine. However, when we arrived there was no table reserved for us anywhere, either in the bar or the restaurant, but we were quite happy to wait so we ordered a drink, plus the pub is advertised as serving food all day. Ten minutes later, a waitress came around (at about 220pm) and said they were shutting the kitchen. The whole experience was so disappointing, at no point did anyone acknowledge that there was any kind of issue, or offer an apology. It's really such a shame as we are locals and had really come to like the pub, the food is good, but the service is so hit and miss, it's the second time we've booked and arrived without a table saved for us, and literally zero help or acknowledgement from the bar staff. It would be far less frustrating if you just didn't take reservations. Also, I understand a certain table can't always be guaranteed, but I'd much rather have just been told "no, sorry that's not possible" at the time I called, than to turn up with what we thought was a booking, and end up leaving without any food, any acknowledgement, or the feeling that anyone really cared at all. Luckily, we had better luck at another local pub that serves all day.

Only stopped for a drink, poor owners and not welcoming

Lovely food. Warm and welcoming service.

The service would have been a 5, and lovely ambiance, however my issue was with the food. sadly I chose the Pork special which was very poor, cold braised cabbage and stone cold parsnip purée, the potato gratin was so hard on the top, to which the waitress said it’s supposed to be like that, my wife had the shepherds pie which was very nice, so I swapped to this, however we came out together for dinner and ended up eating separately. Most annoying thing was the manager didn’t bother to engage with the issue, Disappointing as the other food looked nice

A lovely pub with good beer and great garden space out the back. Not tried the food but what I have seen lookes very good. Always get a warm welcome.

A very friendly evening had by us this evening. Here to celebrate a family birthday, with good food and friendly and attentive service

Five or six weeks ago, I left a very negative review of this pub, after an unpleasant Sunday lunch visit with a friend. Having learned that the pub's management had been changed and that the improvements were quite notable, I decided to return today with the same friend. A remarkable change. Everything is scrubbed and clean. The bar floor has found its original old wood colour again. The toilets are impeccable. The restaurant is welcoming and cheerful. The staff are well trained, pleasant, focused on their service. There were some logs burning on the fire in the dining room. The menu was good and satisfying, with plenty of vegetarian options for those who wanted them. My friend's fish pie was abundantly full of fish and prawns, and topped with a lovely cheesy topping. I had a generous portion of roast beef with Yorkshire pudding served with lots of varied and perfectly cooked vegetables and beautiful roast potatoes. I decided to forego the pudding - simply not hungry any more - but my friend had the apple, blackberry and cherry crumble: an outstanding concoction, served with cream. I asked for a spoon so as to taste it: sheer perfection. --- This pub has shaken its negative past and now welcomes generously all its many customers. The word has obviously gone out: this is the perfect place to go, alone or with friends and the family.

Friendly helpful staff. Great freshly prepared bar food

This is our local pub but over a few years we have chosen to eat ad drink at other pubs. However there is now a new manager and we opted to try it again. We were very pleasantly surprised. The restaurant was nearly full and the ambience was good- new candles. The service was excellent- special mention to Amena, who looked after us so well on her first night. All in all an excellent evening with good food and service

Great roast dinner with family. Lovely atmosphere, Friendly staff. Only suggestion would be to have food served on hot plates please.

Great Sunday Lumch. Beef Pork and Chicken which our party of 7 had. There was only veggie option . Staff fantastic 👏 Because it was a family special reunion none off us had been before. Will definitely return

Lovely, family owned inn. When I couldn’t hike on with my friends, the Innkeeper let me make use of the room for the rest of the day free of charge❤️

Lovely food and the staff are amazing

At the outset, I want to mention that the food was great, and I have no quarrel with it, except the price, which I consider high (1 thick soup, 1 side of garlic bread, 1 roast beef meal, two desserts, two elderflower presse for 55 GBP is quite high). But the chief complaint is the absolute filthiness of the small bar area where we had out meal. The soles of my shoes were sticking to the floor, and that wooden floor was matte and almost black with dirt. My friend also told me that the toilets were terrible. As for service, we had contact with 4 members of staff: 2 young men, and 2 young women. The young men were kind, courteous and attentive. The two young women were short, off-hand and rude. On the whole, I think this place needs to shut for a week and get a deep scrub and clean, and the female staff would benefit from some additional training. No, I would not wish to return for any reason!

Only stopped for a drink. Lovely pub in lovely setting. We were due to eat on another day but had to cancel due to family crisis. Staff were lovely in their response to our cancellation.

Over priced. Some portions also small for the price, the food we had was nice. The wine was average, and expensive.

Bar smelled dirty … stale beer gone off and not cleaned properly. Barman insisted the lukewarm Rose had been in the fridge all day and was therefore fine…the beer was way colder ! Beer was ok but can’t produce a cold glass of wine mid-summer … really ?? So bottom line …. dirty bar, unsympathetic barman and warm wine …. can’t recommend the place sorry !

This is such a friendly place and nothing is too much trouble. We ate here each evening and everything we ordered was delicious. The children’s menu is tailored well and children can mix and match items to create their own meal. The portions were very generous and none of us went away hungry. The staff were knowledgeable about the local area and gave us ideas of places to visit. I did witness a staff member dealing with a very rude woman who hadn’t even ordered anything but felt she should complain constantly. The staff member remained professional and polite the entire time. I was very impressed. I’d have told her to go and eat somewhere else! Thank you so much for looking after us all.

An absolutely uproarious weekend at this hidden gem of a hotel, surrounded by breathtaking beauty! Picture this: a trio of misfits with a wedding to attend but absolutely no clue about logistics. Enter the hotel team, the unsung heroes of the comedic masterpiece that unfolded. They granted us early access to our rooms – a life saving move given our last minute scramble to transform into wedding-worthy fashionistas. As we were enjoying a whiskey and Coke at the hotel bar before leaving, Tracy, the hotel owner and part time legend handled our parking fiasco like a seasoned pro. As two misaligned BMWs raised their metaphorical eyebrows, Tracy just shrugged, and a side-splitting saga was born. The wedding we attended turned out to be memorable for more than just the wedding festivities. On the return journey, my brother decided to contribute his artistic touch to the road outside the hotel. Tracy, if you're reading this, we're truly sorry about the unanticipated modern art installation. But the real masterpiece of this stay? The beds – softer than a cloud made of marshmallows! We slumbered like content hibernating bears, only to be awakened by the promise of a full English breakfast that was as hearty as the laughs we shared the previous night. To sum it up, this hotel isn't just a place to stay; it's a stage for laughter and shenanigans. If you're looking for unforgettable experiences, picturesque landscapes, and a team that turns even the mundane into comedy gold, look no further. Bravo to the entire crew of the Royal Oak Inn for orchestrating this hilarity-filled weekend! Five stars just can't do justice to the memories we've made.

In a lovely little village in the heart of Exmoor NP, this is a great place to spend your holiday. The rooms are comfy, the service is terrific, and you have the added bonus of a cosy pub with lots of tasty options to choose from. We really enjoyed our stay and recommend The Royal Oak Inn for a quick getaway to this beautiful part of the UK. Be sure to book through their own website.

We visited 27/7/23 in the early evening. We've no complaints about the service. I ordered fish and chips for £17.95. The fish and batter was very dark and soggy with oil and most of the chips seemed like they'd been reheated more than once. I should have sent them back but surely the chef knew they were not up to standard! Anyway I was hungry so I ate up. During the course of the evening I grew increasingly queasy. At 2am dinner reappeared - violently. One of the reasons we chose this place was the range of veggie options on the menu. My partner ordered the vegan burger. Given the delicious vegan burgers available in the shops now, she expected something more appetising than a few peas and other bits of veg crushed together. It wasn't the pleasant last night of our stay in the area that we had intended.

We visited the Royal Oak twice whilst staying in Prestbury, for a drink in the garden, very relaxing, then again for a meal inside. Great atmosphere, lovely food and good service. Friendly, helpful staff. We would definitely go again if ever in the area.

Wat een heerlijke plaats om aan te komen na een lange dag stappen in deze prachtige natuur

I wasn’t disappointed as I had read previous reviews. My husband and friends were. Our friend booked on line which showed the only time available was 6.15. The site does not work our waiter told us we could have visited pretty much any time. I agree with previous comments £10 for a glass of wine is silly money. They call it a large glass . Nothing large about it. My husband said his fish and chips was excellent. The other three meals were steaks. Which were OK with skinny chips. Also included was a handful of rocket! No dressing! I asked if they had oil and balsamic. No was the answer. We will not visit again

Food was OK good selection off beers 🍻

Updated 20230714. First 'night out' of our holiday and of course it had to be here. Essential to book a table; 1800 is a quieter time but after 1900 the place is packed. Food still brilliant, people still lovely. Always lovely. Good beer, good food, good service.

Spent one night here after walking from Minehead. Food, beer and service was very good. We were in the top bedroom and if you are very tall, I wouldn't advise it. I am 5'11" and my head brushed the ceiling. It would get 5 stars but breakfast at 8.30 is way too late.

Lovely old pub with a nice atmosphere but unfortunately my battered fish was overcooked

Went for Sunday lunch, we couldn't fault the meal it was first class. The service was excellent. Excellent value for money. All in all a very pleasurable experience. Would highly recommend.

Fantastic as usual - great consistent food & service. Jake always a familiar face ( for so many years!) with the younger team to compliment. Perfect location for exploring the moor and our special feature the from and back to Tarr Steps and the river dips to boot :) Stunning valley!

Excellent food, the place was very welcoming and homely and the servers were helpful and welcoming. It was a great place to spend the evening and had good food, music and atmosphere.

Lovely pub right in the heart of Withypool. Delicious food and cider and a great range of beers and gins. Amazing recommendation of gin and tonic by our waitress. Soon to be visited again!

Great friendly service. Fantastic selection of beers and cider on tap. Good food selection and lots of gluten free options too.

As a random walker joining a group of friends staying at the Royal Oak, I was given a warm welcome and assistance by the publican. Thank you!

Stopped by The Royal Oak Inn mid-dog walk, and was very glad to have done so. It was quite warm inside the pub so we sat in the beer garden, where there was plenty of space and shelter from the elements too. The fish and chips portion was large (I only managed half and let the dog have a few bites as well), and the service was very friendly and attentive - when I asked about water for the dog, someone came out to help find a bowl and then got us fresh water, which was much appreciated as I was on my own and didn't want to leave him alone at the table too much. The pub itself is just on the main road in the middle of Withypool so you can't miss it.

Absolutely amazing!!.. the sharing platter was insane!!.. 🥰🥰🥂🍾

Went for lunch and it was all very nice.

We stopped in for a pint and a light lunch whilst doing the Tarr steps walk. You know the food will be good when the locals have reserved tables.

Fabulous village pub. We've not stayed here yet, but we have eaten and been for drinks. Full of old world charm, just how a village pub should be. Homely and good beers. Lots of fabulous walks straight from the door.

Really lovely pub, with excellent food and service, a couple of wood burners adding to the atmosphere.

A charming and welcoming pub with excellent food and a beautiful location. Friendly and attentive service and serves the best steak & ale pie in the country.

Dog friendly ,good food nice welcome.

Did not like the way we were placed out of the locals bar,pushed aside

An excellent location but the beer was mediocre and the menu pretty uninspired. Overall I didn't really get a great vibe off the place. I think they could probably try a bit harder.

Went as part of a large group, initially postponed because of snow. Everything was sorted, food was great Great day and meal 😋

Good food with a wide selection. Very nice options for most dietary needs with good alergy warnings on the menu for each item. good alcholo selection. Small and nice Pub, worth a visit if in the area.

Good pub food. Dont expect luxury but lovely place to visit

Friendly atmosphere great bar snacks and lovely hospitality

Very tasty lunch after a run on Exmoor. Warm welcome and good food.

Walked up to Withypool from Tarr steps with my wife and a couple of good friends. We'd heard good things about the pub so went in for a drink and lunch but were greeted, or rather not greeted by the rather rude and surly barman who actually threw the specials menu across the bar at me after almost grudgingly putting our drinks on the bar. Everyone in our party felt and hated the atmosphere in the nearly empty bar so we drank up quickly and walked to the nearby tea rooms and ate there instead. Really good food and judging by the almost full cafe, We'd made the right choice. Shame about the pub !

Food was fantastic. What a great find. Priced well too

We booked a table for 4 in the bar. We were able to bring our dogs with us. We were worried as it was under new ownership but no worries! Great atmosphere with pleasant service & super food.

Amazing staff . Ruby was an absolute star ! 🌟 So attentive and great banter . A credit to the pub ! Food great . Huge portions . 5* for my jacket 🌶 chilli .

Great place to have a Sunday roast. Excellent choice of real ales too 😁🍺🍻

We turned up this evening without booking and the staff were so friendly and accommodating. We had the most wonderful meal and service was great.

Booked for meal because of good reviews but because they were doing entertainment outside had to struggle to get someone to direct us as to get inside. Eventually shown where to go and had to wait forever for someone to bring men then another wait until we got wine menu. Got up left and had fantastic meal as always at The White Horse Inn

Stopped for lunch. Great food and super dog friendly. Lovely village pub

Visited for Sunday lunch whilst staying in nearby Dulverton. Fantastic food, extensive menu and very reasonably priced. Staff couldn't have been nicer and couldn't do enough for us, even though they were exceptionally busy. Even set both bar and eating areas up so that those who were interested could watch the lionesses, whilst others could eat in peace. I cannot praise this place and its people highly enough. A lovely business in a beautiful place. Please pay them a visit-you won't be disappointed and I can't wait to go again.

Stopped for dinner. PERFECTLY coojed steak and a yummy fish pie. Many thanks . See you again when we come on oyr holidays

Great sandwich for lunch, freshly made and delicious.

Had a nice family meal here. The food was excellent.

Nice outdoor seating maybe not good for children did not see play area. 3 Real ales on offer nice refreshing pint halfway through our walk would have stayed for another but 5 miles walk back. We did not eat.

A Ploughmans lunch,enough for 2 of us but I managed the whole thing!!

We had the most Fantastic family meal Saturday evening. The food was fabulous,the staff and owner were lovely. Very accommodating to our special requests, we will definitely recommend and be returning. Thank you 😊

Food good but rather pricey. Fish and chips offered as either small £11.00 or large £14.00. Absolutely no difference in size of fish. They sometimes serve meals outside which must be nice, but it is only sat round the car park!! So includes free fuel fumes.

Excellent weekend away I would recommend this pub to anyone great food and friendly staff.

We found this lovey place during a good dog walk. After ordering our drinks we were greeted and entertained by the perfect hostess,Imogen. She welcomed us and our dog to the pub with much enthusiasm. We will be returning for some food as the menu looked tasty and the vibe very welcoming.

On the way back from Dunster Castle we stopped here to get an ice cream. I noticed the large portions of chunky chips being served so I obliged too along with some cider. We sat on a comfy sofa outside freakin awesome. This place has a nice vibe the staff are friendly the food is tasty im glad we dropped in

Excellent food, lovely friendly staff, nothing too much trouble, very enjoyable meal...