The Oak Inn in New Forest

First time back at The Oak for ages - as we're relatively local, I can't imagine why we haven't been for a while as we had a great evening. Friendly, welcoming and fun team, cosy atmosphere and great food. It won't be long before we're back!

Really lovely little New Forest pub. Lovely food, reasonably priced, warm friendly atmosphere and staff. Very cosy by the log burner, the dog enjoyed all the attention he got! Highly recommended.

Despite a very busy Monday lunchtime all of the staff, and especially the lady working the bar and tables, was friendly and efficient. The food was as good as the service which was greatly appreciated considering that it was a full house.

My husband and I took our daughter there last night and we were so disappointed. The staff were quite cold towards us and not very welcoming. We had to ask for menus. About 3 or 4 meals were off the menu and it was only 7pm!! The staff didn’t apologise and actually we didn’t feel very welcome. The table was sticky and felt dirty. The food we ordered wasn’t great. Unfortunately we wouldn’t record it to our friends and we certainly won’t be returning.

Gorgeous little pub which we booked as dog friendly and it was the perfect ending to a perfect autumnal day in the New Forest. Big hearty meals and portions, cosy pub, log fire, friendly staff, very gorgeous!

Amazing place and the food was excellent. Big bonus was seeing horses roaming freely and one of them wondering into someone's garden eating grass.

Visited on Monday for lunch with friends, after a long walk.. even though it was Monday the place was full! Service was friendly and attentive .. we had yummy baguettes, good value! Well worth a visit after a long walk! Warm cozy atmosphere

Very cosy and a lovely welcome from all staff, the service was great too. I had the Sunday roast beef & my husband the Pork which was good value & plenty of it. Then yummy puds, sticky toffee & apple crumble.

Wonderful place. Charming, the food was amazing. Lovely character

Great food. Great service. Great value. Great location. What's not to like?

Lovely old pub. Good attentive staff & good food with a good range of drinks, just need to get 0%Guinness 😉

popped in last night, welcomed by accommodating and cheerful staff especially Chloe who served us quickly. Dinner lovely, fantastic atmospheric pub .

We had the Sunday Sharer for 2, but shared between 4 with some extra sides! We all agreed it was the best Sunday roast we’d had at a pub! Wishing we lived closer so could come more often

Lovely country pub located within the New forest, Lymington. Had a great family meal celebrating my uncles birthday. Lively food, great atmosphere and staff, highly recommended.

Food quality and variety good, as usual. However, it took 45 minutes for food to arrive and I found a 2cm piece of plastic in my sorbet

Amazing roast, had the sharing platter easily pleased 4 adults chef catered to all our needs and went out of his way and explained where the ingredients were from. Hidden gem! Thank you Ed

After living in Brockenhurst for many years and regularly visiting this pub we were always welcomed by the staff and landlord - what a shame after 20 years we returned to be presented with the most rude bar lady who was very short with us when we were trying to order drinks. We sat on a table ( which did not have reserved on it ) only to be told after we had ordered drinks, that we could not sit there as you could only sit if you had booked to eat. We were told we could sit In the garden only. What a shame as a lovely pub reunited by 1 lady ( however the young waiting staff seemed pleasant ) that’s the only reason for the 1 star

Good menu but very poor fish & chips.

We went on a Saturday lunchtime. A warm welcome and lovely food, we had baguettes with chips with a lovely fresh salad and mussels, which was on a specials menu. Couldn’t fault the portion sizes and the food was delicious. The waiting staff were efficient and friendly. Will definitely be back again soon. Compliments to the chef.

Lovely atmosphere, welcoming, engaging staff. The baguette were lovely and soft, extremely generous portions and large salad with them, we took optional chips and there were so many, it was delicious

Great food and service, very friendly staff and lovely atmosphere

Had a proper pie beer was good and food a quaint pub tucked away just of the road in a lovely wooded area

Lovely traditional pub. Accommodating. Dog friendly. Food smelled great and tasted even better. Good choice of roast and service was efficient

Anita and team made us feel very welcome , great service and superb food.

From pricey food, potatos cooked to a stone texture, to terrible customer service. Waitress doesn't speak. We were sitting outside and I asked for the menus, she said she was busy serving food and said to get it inside. Ordered 2 beef roasts and one fish and chips. The two roasts arrived at the same time, and when we had almost finished and the fish and chips hadn't arrived I asked the waitress again who had two plates on her hands and seemed lost with that order. I asked where was the third order and because we were almost finished. Clearly the two plates wasn't for our table, but again, she looked very confused and left one of the plates on our table. Don't bother to go to this place because it is advertised that is the best pet friendly pub around.

Excellent food and a very nice pint of cider

Lovely food. Staff were very friendly. Great for our family get together.

Great food, lovely staff, all round good pub.

Fantastic service by some really lovely ladies!! Had a great meal and would highly recommend.

Lovely traditional pub. Chloe behind the bar was very accommodating to our large group and full of local knowledge.

Very busy when we popped in for a drink while out walking

So disappointing, Sunday lunch August bank holiday Sunday. I had beef, husband had chicken, two slices of dry beef on top of various vegetables. I could only identify undercooked roast potatoes, carrots and peas, other vegetables on a very small plate but don’t know what they were, just mush, large Yorkshire pudding which was dry and overcooked. My husband’s chicken was full of bones and dry, didn’t bother with dessert. Very expensive £20 each for a poor meal.

Fuller's pub so bring your big wallet!

We visited The Oak Inn as part of a Bank Holiday bike ride. I am a T1 diabetic and was suffering from low blood sugars. Jay was absolutely amazing - she brought out jelly babies and prior to our departure gave me a tub of them to ensure we had a safe journey back. Absolutely exceptional service, thank you!!!

Did not have a booking on Saturday night just turned up on the off chance. The lady behind the bar was very friendly and said she could squeeze us in. Drinks came in good time. Food came in good time. Excellent food excellent menu nice looking pub nice and clean bin here several times would definitely recommend it to friends who visit the area.

Very nice place for our lunch on bikes.

Warmly greeted by Jolly Jay and her colleagues at the bar. Attended by Jess who took our order, she knew everything on the menu and was confident to recommend. Jess waited on us with a wonderful smile and good humour. Chloe served our desserts with delight, recommending the homemade brownies. Compliments to Ed the chef for serving delicious, quality home cooked food. Quality produce cooked well. It really was a pleasure to be served by staff that were genuine and happy, a team to be proud of. We shall return. Interesting to see that there is a monthly Pie, Pud and Quiz night - maybe we'll try that.

Nice stop of point , after long walk

Love this tucked away inn. Warm welcome, cosy and fun interior. Generous portions and super friendly staff. We enjoyed it so much we returned the next night!

Menu was uninspiring and appeared to based on frozen food. No fresh food of any note. Coffee also nothing to write home about. Main attraction was its location at the end of one of our favourite cycle rides in the New Forest. Did not experience the inside of the pub although looked reasonable enough. The outside was OK but a bit dark inside a black tent. Will now have to search for somewhere with better food and drink.

Brilliant pub, good outdoor space, excellent food and drinks. Parking available

Disappointing pie which we thought should be basic good old English pub food . Were told it was a steak kidney , came out blobs of harden microwaved chicken with 4 big pale potatoes, with some green leans swimming in some red cabbages. Worst food we ever had . Disappointing .

Booked a table for 9 people for 7.45. I was told on two occasions when I called that as long as we arrived (we were walking so I communicated couldn't be 100% sure of arrival time) before 8pm that would be fine. We arrived at 7.50 after a 2 mile walk to get there for the bar maid to firstly ignore us then to straight away say we haven’t got time, we are not serving you. Asked for the manager as couldn't quite believe this could be the case. The manager was adamant that the kitchen couldnt accommodate us which again i couldn't quite believe as the pub was not busy at all. She was very un helpful and left us stranded having to walk another 2 miles, where we had dinner at the super Italian just on the way out of the village. They were really accommodating and were happy to make up for the disappointing and rude service at the Oak.

Fantastic pub great food great service Jess our waitress was great and attentive all afternoon Would highly recommend a visit

Went there on the 4/8/24 and thoroughly enjoyed the amazing roast dinner which is reasonably priced.The staff we're very helpful especially Jess who went out of her way to be of assistance to you.Very beautiful place

Beautiful looking pub, beautiful location, terrible landlady, rude! not apologetic! Terrible food! Kitchen staff couldn’t even burn chips properly. Need new chefs! new landlady! Then Maybe the pub would get better!. They rely heavily on tourist in the forest who never return! do not go here. rubbish beers! nothing special on the menu! do not waste your money here! awful!

I have not been here for a while so was looking forward to going back. It remains a lovely pub and is very popular. Nice table and welcome and we went for a range or roasts. They were all ok but nothing more. Pork was pretty dry and the veg and potatoes ok. Should you really have to pay for stuffing?? Waiting staff were ok but looked like they needed a bit more training - asking for apple sauce for pork seemed a new idea and instead I got mint and horseradish. Maybe we came on a bad day but very average.

Excellent pub with great food and drinks

Decent lunch. Busy pub today. Not as many ‘Specials’ as usual - especially Starters. Regular visitors and we keep coming back!

Booked a table for 9 people was told on two occasions when we called that as long as we arrive before 8pm that is fine we arrived at 7.50 after a 2 mile walk to get there for the bar maid to firstly ignore us then to straight away say we haven’t got time we are not serving you. Very un helpful and left us stranded having to walk another 2 miles to the next pub who were really accommodating thankfully

Lovely forest pub, very friendly staff, exceptional food and lovely beer, I would 100% recommend.

Stepping into The Oak Inn, Lyndhurst, is like being wrapped in the warm embrace of quintessential British charm. From the moment I entered, the cozy atmosphere, complete with a real fire and twinkling fairy lights, set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The staff greeted me with the kind of friendly professionalism that makes you feel like a regular from your very first visit. The menu, a delightful showcase of locally sourced ingredients, offered a variety of traditional dishes with a modern twist. Each bite of the roast and fish pie was a testament to the culinary skills of the kitchen, leaving no doubt as to why this gem in the New Forest has garnered such acclaim. Even the real ales, carefully selected and perfectly poured, were a highlight in their own right. As I left, the thought that lingered was not just of the delicious meal, but of the genuine warmth and exceptional service that truly set The Oak Inn apart.

We had been intending to revisit after our last visit some years ago, and it did not disappoint, despite hugely varying choices. All was in very good order and thoroughly delicious. Always book...if you can!

Excellent sea bass fillets from the specials board. Not at all disappointing unlike some recent experiences at more expensive restaurants.

Always a favourite of mine if I'm cycling or hiking around the New Forest. Beers are well looked after and their food is always fresh and tasty. The menu isn't huge, so they have an easy focus on good preparation. Prices are fair too.

Thank you to everyone at The Oak Inn. We only get to the New Forest a couple of times at year, but when we do, we always have lunch at The Oak Inn. Delicious food, great atmosphere and wonderfully accommodating staff. Thank You for always making our visits so memorable.

Absolutely fantastic Welcoming, interesting historical pub, ran by decent people. The Sunday roast was exceptional. I particularly recommend adding both the stuffing and the cauliflower cheeses. If i was being super picky, I’d say the roast potatoes needed abit longer… But I realise in a busy kitchen (and believe me they were busy) it can be a challenge to char all the veg off nicely. I was realllllly impressed by this place, and it was a superb experience. Well done!

Took some friends for a lovely meal and drinks. Good selection of food and really big portions. Good kept beer. Lovely ciders, recommend the pie of the day.

Warm welcome. Traditional old pub. Excellent home cooked food.

Well kept ale although limited range of Fullers beer, shame not to have more local options. Food was disappointing, and what arrived bore too-little resemblance to what had been advertised on the menu. Tough times for pubs, for sure, but such an easily-avoided own goal: cucumber and dill are hardly much more expensive than tomato and lettuce.

Perfect New Forest pub with good food and drink choices. Quite busy, so well worth booking

Nice pub, good service. Nice beer garden.

Great food, charming and friendly pub, wonderful location

Lovely looking pub , only stopped for drinks whilst cycling, but would look to return to eat.

Great pub, great food, great people. A real traditional pub doing everything right.

The burger - home made - was amazing. But also the other dishes were good!

A beautifully cooked plaice Fantastic staff All round a great time

If you want a traditional New Forest pub with excellent food and forest walks nearby, the Oak Inn at Bank, just outside Lyndhurst, is where you should be heading. It has a good garden area too.

Good food with great service at a reasonable price. Good selection of e e beers. Glad we arrived early as parking was tight.

Delicious food,with great service and the occasional pony or cow walking past!

Lovely cosy find, great location but very expensive. A pint would cost you £7

Nice pub with a nice garden... The lunch menu could have been a bit more exciting than banquet or a sandwich though.

Fantastic little pub. The service was great, and the food was incredible. Huge portions. Definitely recommend a visit!!

Excellent lunch on a bank holiday Monday along with a lovely pint of Seafarers.

Friends staying from Spain we wanted them to see a typical country pub and food. We had an excellent time here Their food menu was just right not too confusing to choose from and the quality surpassed my expectations. The lady that served us even went the extra mile and conversed with our guests in Spanish. Certainly coming back

Always 5 stars from us, but get there before midday if you want a table outside.

Warning ⚠️ Can get very busy during peak times. Definitely worth booking wel in advance.

Stopped with a big group for a quick pre booked lunch. 26 of us sat outside under a marquee. Quick service for drinks that you had to get yourself from the bar and all orders were bought out quickly and all hot and tasty. No complaints. Toilets clean and pub had nice atmosphere in a lovely setting. Will definitely go back.

Had a great Sunday roast with friends and family. Busy so book ahead.

Quite a basic menu but very well cooked and served hot. Lovely service, friendly and attentive. Limited ale selection.

Great country pub, lovely staff, fantastic service and great food 👍

Lovely traditional country pub with nice beer

Went for lunch as a large family group after a walk nearby. We had a mixture of sandwiches and main meals and all were excellent, particularly the sausage sandwiches and chips. Good drinks selection including excellent Cornish Orchards Cider. Friendly and helpful staff, we would definitely return!

1st visit for me,very nice sunday meal...and very nice friendly staff....

First time we have visited the Oak, lovely atmospheric pub, welcoming staff, food delicious. We will be back and would definitely recommend!

Rustic house or rest,very convenient stop to and from a beautiful energetic part of nature,open forest with a allure for magical!

Really nice pub, was very busy and staff working really hard, service really good and friendly. Recommended

I’ll be honest I’ve never been here, but I feel like it would be a great place to celebrate an unbirthday. I hope to make it there some day! Edit to add it seems from another review that they allow cocker spaniels & I just happen to have 2. Being kind to a cocker spaniel makes you a wonderful establishment, now I don’t have to visit to know that you are. Although I’d still love to visit.

Every time I visit this pub I’m never disappointed. The food is always exceptional, and the service is friendly and professional. You have to book early for important dates (Mother’s Day etc), and forgive me, but toilets say a LOT about a place and theirs are always clean and looked after. I’ve come with family, a small child, friends, for something special or just during a bike ride. I always leave full, and will continue to use this as my go to for special occasions or just a bang up roast!

Came here for Mother's Day and the service, surroundings and food were all brilliant. We will definitely be back!

Outstanding location. A hidden gem With outstanding customer service makes for a perfect night out.

Fantastic food but at typical pub prices for 3 courses and drinks

Loved little pub, very friendly and welcoming, food was very good and service top notch. Will definitely return next time we stay in the forest.

Good pub atmosphere, friendly and efficient service provided a great location for a family get together. All the meals were of a high standard and there was good range of choices.

Awful place to stop off at during a bike ride. I don't usually bother writing negative reviews as it’s not worth it, but I am making an exception as the staff really were aggressive and offensive. Staff rude to both my wife and I separately. Completely unnecessary. The website says “ this traditional inn welcomes visitors with warm hospitality”, but what you receive is the exact opposite. My wife, five year old daughter and I arrived during a fun half term bike ride. Stopped off and got a table outside. My wife went in and very politely asked “can we sit anywhere?” As there were lots of inside tables empty. An older Scottish or Northern woman replied aggressively “have you got a booking?”. When my wife said that she didn’t, the Scottish older woman said “there is no food for those who haven’t reserved a table” and added for no reason “the amount of times a day I have to ask that!” with a huff. Very strange indeed! I was outside and assumed that perhaps there was a misunderstanding when I heard the story. I left it five minutes and then went inside to the bar where I was asked to “wait two minutes” as the same woman was doing something at the till. When she was finally ready I asked whether I could order some food, was asked the same reservation question again and said we were just sitting outside. I was told that there was no food served to those without reservations as they were very busy. I looked around the place and there was hardly anyone in there. They then said, we have “people coming in”. I feel sorry for the people coming in, IF they ever did! I said I don’t want a seven course tasting menu, just two bowls of chips and a kids chicken nuggets and chips. We had only stopped off to get my 5 year old daughter some food anyway as she needed to eat. I was told by another equally miserable, abrasive and marginally younger woman who said “ I can do the chips but not the kids meal”. She said this as if she would be doing me the biggest favour in the world. Absolutely insane conversation with somebody in the service industry. I’ve been to thousands of pubs and restaurants over the years and have never had an experience like this. If the place was rammed full I would have understood, but this was definitely not the case. 1) if you are not resourced properly, don’t open a pub 2) if you are a completely miserable person who takes pleasure in being rude to the general public, then perhaps don’t get a job in the service or food and beverage industry. We obviously left the place without ordering even a drink and cycled further down the road to a lovely pub called The Swan, which was extremely welcoming and the food was great! We had been to The Oak Inn several times over the years on similar bike trips and eaten without a reservation without any issues. There is no mention on their website that you can only eat if you have a reservation. Probably because it would sound crazy. Will never return and advise others not to too. You can’t run a pub only on days when you are in a good mood and actually fancy doing some work! Honestly an insanely bad experience!

Perfect family dinner at The Oak after a (finally dry) afternoon in the forest. Very welcoming, food was excellent - great choices for adults and kids. Pub itself full of charm and presented gorgeously, really lovely evening - lady serving was excellent! Will be back!

On a busy and rainy lunchtime we arrived soaked after walking from near Lyndhurst. The pub was full so it took a while for the food to arrive. It was worth the wait - great sandwiches and chips. All the staff were lovely and the Manager Anita went above and beyond when we couldn't get an Uber for the way back. She insisted on driving us back to town, despite not having any reason to go there herself. Unbelievably kind. She made our day.

Repeated visit to The Oak Inn. Lovely staff and a fantastic beef roast! Thanks to Anna for her 10/10 service, we sat outside with our dog and we received great table service and good recommendations from Anna too! Thanks you 😀

Visited on Friday of half term for lunch. Quaint, pub but a bit cold at the table... kept coat on. Had beetroot soup - it was very tasty and good and hot.

Repeated visit to the Oak, this time for a Sunday lunch. Rapid service but not that impressed with the roasts which were over £20. Small amount of meat which was fatty.