The Royal Oak in Chichester

The sort of country pub that you found in the old days, definitely not gastro or gentrified but serving good honest pub grub at most reasonable prices. Hidden in the fold of the downs there are many nearby walks but motorists must approach by a steep single track "road" with no proper passing places so not recommended for the less confident, probably best to get someone else to do the driving, especially if you are not too good at reversing. The owners have been in situ for many years so a friendly atmosphere prevails, maybe three real ales, wines by the glass and just a few keggy things but a couple of bottled lagers as well. The accent is on the well kept garden with its tables and there are just a few tables in the dining room. Food appeared from the kitchen promptly, there are more substantial dishes in the evening such as steak, the menus may be viewed on the website, no specials board other than desserts. Enjoy it whilst you can as once the owners retire I can envisage another gastropub or restaurant appearing.

Stopped by as we mountain biked past this lovely pub with large garden. Lots of large tables and ideal for a quick drink or meal if you are walking the South Downs way.

A very hospitable family friendly pub. Serves good quality pub fare. Tasty homemade pies and superb puddings. We had a family meal at the weekend. Thanks very much for a really enjoyable meal.

Visited on a Sunday lunchtime, recommended by friends. Beautiful country pub in an idyllic setting. Very friendly staff, good service and a very pretty garden. Felt very relaxed and enjoyed our meals of roast lamb and a vegetarian option. Treacle sponge and custard for afters! Would definitely recommend coming here.

How lovely to eat a real pub meal. Landlord and staff so welcoming. So impressed had to go back day after! Beautiful location, beautiful gardens

Visit after walking the SouthdownsThe greeting as we entered the pub was warm and welcoming Great beers very will kept We ordered food from a Covid limited menuJerk chicken was the best I’ve eaten in uk only once in Jamaica have I eaten the equivalent All the staff made time to make each customer welcome.

Visited here as a trip down memory lane after an absence of about 20 years. Why so long? I don't know because we surely have missed out by not visiting again sooner. It was the hottest day of the year and difficult to find anywhere cool, but a slight breeze in the garden helped, just. Dave, the landlord, was friendly and efficient and made us feel very welcome, as did the young barman and Sarah, the landlady. Dogs are welcome here, inside and out.I had the venison pie and my husband had the burger. Both were absolutely delicious and very filling. If this is a cut-down menu during the Covid crisis then I'm impressed.We won't leave it as long next time.

Excellent! Food, as always, of extraordinary quality, even better hospitality. We have finally returned, after so many difficult months for us all, to the splendid gem of the "Royal Oak". Once again, a superb family dinner! They’ve simplified the menu (STILL A GREAT CHOICE OF DELICIOUS DISHES!) and we were impressed by the evident efforts in doing everything possible to reduce the risk of virus transmission, perfectly in line with Governments guidelines. Not the same could be said about other pubs, we recently visited in the area. WELL DONE YOU ALL! And thank you for a very happy and relaxed evening in the magic setting of Hooksway!

This pub provides a great base for walks in the area and is only a short diversion from the South Downs Way itself. Unfortunately , on our recent visit, the pub was suffering a power cut and thus could only offer a limited menu. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our ploughman's lunch and the welcome received. Top notch beers are served here from local Sussex breweries.

Love this place. We have visited a good few times now and are never disappointed. Always have good food. The staff are friendly and welcoming and massive dog lovers. Our staffie loves it there because they give her treats. It's lovely inside with an open fire for when it's cold and has a beautiful garden for the summer. Highly recommended!!!

What a find! A single track road, no through road, and you really do wonder where you are going!And then you find this brilliant gem.I’m love puddings! And these are home made and scrumptious! The pies were massive.Really nice menu and very friendly pub. Was surprised how busy it got and was full of walkers.Well worth a visit.

Lots of lovely walks around this area and this is a great pub to stop at for a bite to eat. People have mentioned it's not got an extensive menu, I disagree it does very nice pub food with nothing fancy. Had delicious home made burger and husband said the beer was great. Bar staff and owner very friendly and welcoming.

A fantastic little gem tucked away in the folds of The South Downs. Traditional rural pub with cozy restaurant - fires in both main rooms. Great beer & very good traditional pub food. Dog friendly. Lovely garden. A peaceful haven.

Lovely traditional country pub in the hamlet of Hooksway. Populat with walkers on the South Downs. In the summer, there is a beautiful garden and most of the guests are outside, but this being a December visit, we were inside. A welcoming log fire was burning.The menu is not extensive, but provides pub classics such as burgers, fish and chips plus pies.Well cooked selection of vegetables came with my fish and chips and my wife loved her chicken curry.David, the landlord, is a real character, and he chatted away happily with those prepared to listen, from ‘his’ side of the bar.All very reasonably priced and a great halfway stop on our walk

We fancied a quick trip out and wasn't expecting to eat out, but this place looked really cosy from the outside.It's not a cheap pub, the food was great, probably not best suited to us, but still was superb, we're used to tradional dishes in a pub.Overall, it was a great experience and couldn't fault the place on what it had to offer. We likely wouldn't return as the menu is not to our preferred choice, although was of a high standard.

Service was quick and friendly.Our choices of venison pie and burger tasted really good. The pub is dog friendly. Great stopping off point walking on the South Downs.About 30mins up the track from the Royal Oak is a group barrows called the Devils Jumps.

We stopped for a quick pint on the drive from Wittering Beach to Chilgrove. Kitchen was closed but have heard the menu is absolute amazing. Will go back!

Just a perfect setting especially on summers day .....it’s just idealic.....just as lovely inside very olde world.....good food.....wish it opened longer hours though.

Close to the South down Way, this 15th century country pub has 2 bars and a huge log fire. On a nice day, the wonderful garden is an added bonus with plenty of seating and views of the pub adorned with lovely flower baskets.

I had an amazing veggie lasagne and chips, great service, great WiFi, kind people who offered all there services to me and helped me greatly on my way. One of a kind pub!

came here for lunch with my walking group and the food was excellent.Have been to this pub before and never been disappointed.with the food.. Lovely food,nice atmosphere and welcoming landlord and landlady

This pub is located down a very narrow lane just off the main road, however it is worth the drive if nothing more than to take a look at what can only be described as a very beautiful quintessentially English pub. It is set in a very picturesque setting and the garden and flowers, stunning. Only wish it was open more often!

Not the easiest place to drive to but well worth the effort! The narrow country road approaching the pub builds on the feeling that you've found a secluded hideaway; but I don't suppose you'll be there on your own, it's quite a popular destination. There's bound to be some room though; we were lucky enough to arrive on a sunny Saturday and there were plenty of tables in the delightful garden. The pies are meant tp be really good there but we had burgers and they were very good. The management and staff were all friendly, welcoming and helpful too.

My wife last visited here 60 years ago - it was a spit and sawdust basic ale house then. Things have changed to some extent but conversations in the bar varied from The Archers to Bee keeping and cricket. There were no posh cars in the car park - only a line of muddy boots outside the door. The bars were basic but comfortable with friendly and helpful staff.

I have not been to The Royal Oak since the heady days of the mid 1980's, when a bunch of us used to visit for a pint or two on a regular basis!

Great welcome from the host Dave. Really good quality pub meals served promptly . Nice choices and plenty of different drinks on tap

On our normal Friday trip we ventured into West Sussex and to the market town of Chichester. It's well worth a visit to explore the quaint shops.But from there a d with a lunch in mind we left Chichester on the A286 and after a few miles we turned into the B2141 and aimed for the Royal oak.This pub is roughly 8.8miles from Chichester and it's of the main road, & down a very narrow dirt track. But it's a 16th century pub and very nice inside. The owner was very friendly, and greeted us warmly, the food was exceptional, and well worth a visit.

A small marvel, far away from the noise. Set amidst the rolling hills in the unspoilt beauty of the Downs and yet a short drive from the main routes, you’ll find this true gem of a country pub down a steep lane through the woods. Only minutes and you reach PERFECT BLISS, in the shape of the most picturesque, pink, old little cottage, that looks like one of fairy tales. The beautifully kept garden just adds to the charm! Thanks to the very talented chef, you’ll taste delicious dishes such as his/her unforgettable lamb roast or the equally mouth-watering – and more audacious – Thai salmon… Do not forget to check the specials’ board! Always a surprise and a delight. Finally, it’s compulsory to mention the amazing homemade burgers with tomato and mozzarella, that come in not less than 5 scrumptious different versions. Such a feast! Just add a friendly, attentive and excellent service, that our beloved furry friends are here welcomed as we are and you have the PERFECT venue for success!

We had parked in the national trust car park at Harding down and set off for a walk over the downs. It came as a complete surprise when after having walked approx 4 miles, we came across this pup. It really seemed as if it was in the middle of no where. Lovely garden, helped by the fact that it was a sunny day and a good selection of home cooked meals. Judging by the menu at the entrance, It looked as if the menu stays fairly constant all year!

Driving along and coming into view heading towards Chicester was a very small sign extolling the virtues of a 16th Century Pub, went passed it and decided to turn around and give it a try.

A wonderful gem of a country pub with a proper pub menu freshly cooked for you. Fabulous garden and very dog friendly.

This is the third visit to the White Horse in 2 years... twice it was closed completely but I thought I’d give it another try due to its lovely location. Myself and my 14 year old Daughter walked from Harting down and she made sure I called ahead first to make sure it was open. We arrived at 1.40pm.. 5 minute wait at the bar to then be told “we’re not serving food the kitchen is too busy” this after he’s just taken a food order. He could see I was with my daughter but to no avail. It’s this sort of dreadful service in this country that I thought we’d lost but nope... it’s still there! Gorgeous location but I shan’t bother in future their are other better friendlier pubs nearby!!

We had a lovely lunch here after a long walk. Despite being busy, we received a warm welcome. The home cooked food was delicious, especially the venison pie and apple crumble. The service was friendly and prompt, even our little dog was well catered for. We will be returning.

We enjoyed a relaxed evening at the Royal Oak with friends. The restaurant is a typical cosy English pub with a good atmosphere and lovely food. We most enjoyed the mains, especially the steaks and fish and chips. They have a great winelist with very fair prices. We would definitely go again.

Thank you Dave and Sarah for making us welcome and squeezing us all in for food even though you were busy This was our third visit over the last few years as we are not local Really live visiting when we are passing through.Well done and hope to visit again soon.

A beautiful pub in a wonderful countryside setting - spoiled by an unhelpful and lazy lady behind the bar. We stopped at this lovely pub for lunch last week and secured a table in the garden. Before deciding our menu choice, I popped into the bar to get drinks. I ordered a pint (no problem) but when I asked for a pot of tea I was told "can do you a coffee but not tea". I asked why not tea and was curtly told by the lady behind the bar "because the kitchen's chaos and in a mess and I'm not going in there to boil a kettle". With that attitude, I quickly supped my pint and we left to find a more hospitable lunch venue than the Royal Oak. And we found the equally beautiful Three Horseshoes at Elsted who employ friendly welcoming staff for whom a pot of tea request was simple to fulfil. The lunch was superb so the miserbale barmaid at the Royal Oak actually did us a favour!

Visited on a lovely Saturday evening after doing the 3 mile circular walk from the pub. Very friendly staff and smiley clientele. Enjoyed sitting outside in the gardens. Specials menu was good and everyone enjoyed their pub food.

We were staying in Petersfield at a lovely pub and decided to take a drive. Can upon a sign on the road pointing to a little pub - took the narrow road and found this beautiful English country pub. What a beautiful place. A little hamlet - 3 houses and a pub covered in glorious summer flowers. The landlord, who has been there for 29 years, was a delight. Food was simple but delicious, local game, fresh fish, fresh vegetables and reasonable prices. I would go back to Sussex just to visit this pub. Highly recommend a visit but don't tell too many people. Don't want to spoil the peace and quiet of this lovely pub.

We have been to the Royal Oak Hooksway on several occasions recently with our good friends. The atmosphere is excellent the Landlord and Landlady are very friendly making you feel welcome with good pub fayre at a realistic price. The beer is kept perfectly probably the best in the area so will be returning soon for more excellent hospitality. Thank you both.

We have visited this pub several times while out walking and it is a joy to go there - not only to rest weary feet.

Incredible location and beer and food at its rustic and simple best. Beautiful garden and having been around the world this place is really special. Make the effort and get yourself here, truly special place.

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of enjoying Royal Oak hospitality three days in succession, the first two visits covering researching a circular walk for our walking group and the third was to share a post-walk lunch with the group. Because the pub is out 'in-the-sticks' it does not enjoy 'passing trade' opening hours are not standard, but this adds to its charm. On our first two visits the weather was fine and we were able to take advantage of the traffic free beer garden, which is well populated with benches and parasols. On our third visit our group of twenty one almost fitted into the nice, quiet dining room.

This pub is a favourite with our local walking group. They provide good food at reasonable prices and welcome walking groups with open arms. There were sixteen of us last Sunday and everyone was very happy with food and service from the very friendly staff. In winter there are always two welcoming fires burning and the landlord and his staff are excellent in every way. The garden is kept in pristine condition and is a treat for customers who like to be outside on on a warm summer's day. This is an example of a 'dying breed' sadly. A family owned and run business ( for more than 25 years with the same landlord I believe) and not a tenanted pub, often run by 'amateurs'. Surely if there were more pubs like this we wouldn't be hearing about pub closures all the time.Keep up the good work Dave and Sarah.

beautiful location down a quiet lane. lovely old fashioned pub with friendly staff, ordered chicken and chips - unfortunately the chicken was overcooked and dry. we also had a chicken pie and the sauce was watery and tasteless. so disappointing as the location was great

This pub is a great place for people seeking to lose weight.Firstly unless you arrive by car there is no excuse for not walking ,cycling or even running.Secondly the food portions are meagre.For example naan bread is very fattening and the menu suggest you get a whole naan but in fact you get a few fractions sliced up which means fewer calories.The rice was white,not brown and nicely warmed in the microwave but not so hot as to burn the tongue.The chicken sag(saag) had five small morsels of meat,and the lettuce leaf (single)was limp,and the sauce served was devoid of any piquant spices.

We were able to park in the pub car park having confirmed with the landlady that we were going for a walk and returning for lunch.

This no longer seems to be a walkers pub. Its a shame because it is in an ideal location. We were made to feel very unwelcome. Grumpy lady behind the bar, and made to sit in garden . Felt very unwelcome. Next time we will go to the White Hart in South Harting or one of the pubs in Elsted. They are much friendlier.

We love pubs with a traditional feel & a warm welcome. This place has both in abundance. It's quirky too which adds to its charm & appeal.

I'm a member of a walking group and 14 of us had lunch after a walk close to the Royal Oak. We were seated in an upstairs room which was very pleasant. We had lunches ranging from roasts, pies to burgers. Everyone enjoyed their meals and these were followed by some delicious deserts (tasty and very generous portions).

We visited this pub while out on a walk. It's tucked away down a steep lane and feels like it belongs in another century. If you like old pubs, this is for you. The staff fitted us in for lunch and we have a very tasty meal. Our (well-behaved) dogs were allowed too. A great spot for a drink or a bite to eat.

We were introduced to the Royal Oak when visiting friends when we popped in for a quick drink. A very friendly welcome and a lovely roaring fire on a wet and miserable day. The pub is quaint and quirky and definitely a place I would...

Wow what a warm welcome. Never been in a pub where the bar staff and the guests freely chat to you. Access is by a steep very narrow track, god help you if anything is coming the other way. You really think you have made a wrong turn. Then it opens out in front of you. Everything you imagine at old country pub should be. Lovely garden, wooden benches, umbrellas. The bat is probably exactly the same as it was hundreds of years ago. Beer lovely and fresh and a good selection. Just the perfect English pub run by lovely people. WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK.

Off the beaten track but what a find!

Si pierde esta joya de lugar. Muy bien. en la South Downs. Entorno y muy bonito. . una buena variedad de cervezas y sidras bien cuidado. Nos detuvimos para comer.. . Mi pareja y yo tuvimos Plowmans pastel de pescado. Mientras que la comida es...

En vacaciones con amigos en los South Downs, este pub fue sugerido por el encargado de nuestro ser y estar (Chilgrove granja). Nos dijo dónde encontrar, ya que es un poco fuera del camino, y ciertamente no en la calle principal. No hay mucho en...

Mi esposa y yo tuvimos el almuerzo de domingo aquí la semana pasada. Un pub muy bien situado, enclavado en el Sussex Downs. Los propietarios (que sirve detrás de la barra) era muy acogedor y amable. Después de un precioso ale, pedimos el asado. Mi...

. . . . . . A perder un encantador pub virgen país. . Tanto para el familiar y por supuesto los perros que recibieron con un regalo y a petición de un bol pequeño de cerveza tradicional. . . Dartmoor Ale estaba bien cuidada...

2 noche temática de fin de 2017. curry Ambas veces excelente. Esta vez la carne al vindaloo era para morirse. Ojalá no habíamos perdido la real casero en el anterior empanadas noches temáticas de fin de semana. Esperamos a ver qué lado es el tema.

Visitamos hoy después de un agradable paseo y estar con amigos en el área local.

Have visited this pub on many occasions. Always a warm welcome despite the landlord being a spurs fan ! Wide range beers always available. Food is always good with wonderful burgers in particular. On this occasion we had curry which was the best curry we have ever had in a pub. Truly superb hence this review. This is a gem of a pub in the heart of some beautiful countryside ... it's exactly the sort of pub that needs supporting and preserving ... We will be back there again soon ...

Thought we'd visit again after what must be about 40 years. We ordered ham egg and chips, chilli and rice and a burger with tomoto and mozzarella. The chilli was good, spicy hot which doesn't happen in some pubs, garnished with salad and tortilla chips, (yes there could have been a few more!) Dad's said his ham egg and chips was great. My husband's burger was huge, served with coleslaw and a blue cheese and bacon mayonnaise. no complaints at all. We have been trying our all of our old haunts in West Sussex and haven't had a bad meal yet. And talking of haunts check our the pubs website. It has a fantastic history and is said to be 'haunted'!

Stopped here on a walk from Harting. Pub has a lovely fire and good beers and ciders so we decided to have lunch. Chicken burger seemed to be minced leftovers from previous sundays roast and had a strange flavour and consistency. Was able to eat about a third of it (was very hungry). Partner had steak pie; crust was like concrete and the three pieces of meat in it were chewy. Vegetables were from a pack of frozen veg (which is fine if you like frozen veg). Chips had a strange taste. Meals were about £12 each. Partner was unable to finish her meal (first time in many years).The moral of this tale is - stop for a beer and crisps/nuts and a warm by the open fire and you will be very happy. If you eat here as well you will risk being very disappointed.

Great food , friendly service , no one complaint , the landlord , Dave is a excellent hostDo try the mushroom and chestnut pie , it`s awesome , access is down a narrow lane , but the views are splendid

lovely pub in great setting have visited before, this time however we decided to have lunch, both ordered a ploughmans and what a disappointment they were. what was on the plate was not good value for money, a whole baggette with two tiny butter pats the smallest bit of salad we have ever been served one tiny tom thumb tomato a massive pickled onion which we could not even cut through, Both the meat and cheese were adaquate. over all I would have been embarassed to serve it up to guests. Will not stop us going back but dont think we will eat there.

Lovely little pub off the beaten track. Excellent food, charming service, good value. We were a family group for Sunday lunch. Everyone was happy with their choice.. I had seafood pie and I would have it again! Their chocolate ice cream is something to die for!

Sweet little pub hidden away along a narrow road, we parked here with friends and went for a good walk along stunning footpaths before lunch. From here you can join part of the south downs way, wonderful views. Good boots needed as it's quite hilly.Tasty straightforward food served for lunch and local beers. The staff were friendly and efficient. This pub is not always open so it's best to check in advance.Finding the pub by car can be tricky - it's best to follow the B2141 from either Petersfield/South Harting or Chichester/East Lavant and look for the pub sign. Trying to negotiate the Mardens can be confusing even with sat nav as roads are narrow in places and one road was shut when we went yesterday.Parking at the pub is fine. Toilets are clean too.

Hidden away at the end of a single track road, quarter of a mile from the main road, this pub is not overly busy in the evenings. However, as it stands a short distance from the South Downs Way it can get extremely busy during the day, especially in the summer. Decent ale which changes on an irregular basis coupled with good basic food it is well worth a visit. An old fashioned pub with an old fashioned landlord. Brilliant.

We found this beautiful pub at the end of the lane after a lovely walk from Up Marden. Beautiful garden setting in the early evening followed by a good Pub grub - pies and burgers - supper in the lower dining room. Highly recommended.

This pub is tucked away in an idyllic position away from all traffic and is very pretty with pleasant pub garden outside.The food is basic pub grub - ploughman's, pie and chips, ham egg and chips (which looked like the best of the lot.The road from South Harting down toward Chichester (which this pub is set back from) is a beautiful road and I'd recommend this place to motorcyclists (as long as you don't mind a gravel car park) for a drink and basic nosh

Pretty country pub with beautiful garden. Warm welcome from staff. We had the homemade pies which where really good. lemon roulade was light and very tasty. Service was very good. We will definitely be back.

Stopped here for a lunch after a long walk. It looks idyllic from the outside, a beautiful garden and a superb isolated peaceful setting. The bar area is traditional and has beamed ceilings and a relaxed atmosphere. However prosecco and white wine was barely cool not chilled. the food was at best average. Baked potato with a solid melted wedge of cheese melted in a lump on top. Average baguettes at well above average prices, and a 'homemade pie' which was bland. We ended up spending over £60 for 2 baguettes, a pie and a baked potato and 4 drinks.

Went there on a Friday lunchtime. It's the perfect stop for walkers with beautiful surroundings and a decent sized dog friendly garden. Unfortunately the food was dreadful. Beef chilli was like the worst school dinner. Granary cheese roll was flabby. The wine was unspecified- appeared from a back room and not very nice. They have HSB which is apparently a Good Thing. This is all such a shame because with a decent menu- no need to go all Gastropub- properly cooked, this place would be amazing.

Staying in a nearby caravan site (Bow Hill farm CL) we wanted somewhere within walking distance to pop for lunch after waking the dog. The walk here was lovely if a little muddy due to the weather so I was a little apprehensive about them allowing the dog in with his muddy belly. No problems at all. We left our wellies by the fireplace and he was welcomed into the bar area (but obviously not the restaurant). The open fire made for a cosy addition to the lovely English pub feel. The beer on tap was well kept and served with enough variety to keep any ale drinker happy. Wife settled on prosecco instead!We both had the burger with macaroni cheese and chipotle sauce for lunch. Wow. I've eaten in many 'proper' burger joints including 5 Guys and other 'niche' places and u can honestly say that this burger best all of them. Tasty, succulent, perfect flavour combinations and excellently cooked. Bit of a big commitment if you are midway through a walk though! The pies we saw other diners with looked fantastic too.Managed to find space for pudding (of course!) and had the roulade which was tasty and not too heavy. In all, a welcoming dog friendly pub that served excellent food and drink in a proper pub setting. Prices very reasonable especially given the location. We will most definitely be back and I'd heartily recommend you try it out.

Tucked into a sparsely populated valley, reached down a steep and narrow country lane this place is worth a visit. the Royal Oak is steeped in history, not grand history but the real story of Sussex country, it's Downs and it's people, it's one of my real favourites.The welcome is warm and heartfelt, the log fires toasty and bright, the beer well kept and refreshing. We had Sunday roast lunch yesterday which was hearty and filling.This a is a great place for a walk in the Downs, in the high woods, which is exactly what we did to earn our lunch. We will be back.

This pub was a popular destination for our cycling group on the 'Reunion Ride' in August, following our event in France for a number of years.Dave the friendly landlord had been a publican on Hayling Island at one time and so was happy to see we cyclists from the Island.The main attraction is the large sloping garden, which we used to fill! We generally just had a few social drinks, rather than eating, anticipating the steep climb out of the dell! However, those who did eat and the other patrons expressed satisfaction with the the cuisine.A very special place!

Been here twice, had the roast the 1st time which was very nice. Had the potato wedges with chilli the 2nd time, absolutely delicious and the chilli was hot, as a chilli should be. The beer was good and reasonably priced. The landlord was friendly. A really really nice pub. Highly recommend it and will definitely return soon.

Our hiking group visited this lovely pub today after a walk over South Harting Down. We were made very welcome and were pleased with the food choices and variety of drinks on offer, the cider was lovely. There were 16 of us,we had reserved tables and ordered food as we bought drinks ,we did not need to pre order meals before our walk as some country pubs insist that we do. We were really pleased with the prompt service we received,the food arrived very quickly and it was absolutely lovely. We all enjoyed ourselves and will certainly visit again. It is a really cosy comfortable historic inn.

Excellent pub with a very warm welcome, fabulous situation and a great place to relax after an enjoyable walk with the dog. Food was delicious -can't wait to go back! As another reviewer said "a gem in the south downs" - we second that!

Booked Saturday at very short notice,service curt but efficient.Limited menu well priced,chose venison pie home cooked with fresh veg.looked like casserole with a square of shop bought puff pastry,but it was surprisingly tasty,veg spot on.Hsb delicious.There were 4 customers when we arrived and 2 when we left at 19.30.Why could this be on a Saturday night.It is very,very dated,tired and although clean it looked shabby.Waitress was cheery but it did not work,soulless and too many flies for me.I wanted to like it,best for a pint and a packet of crisps in the lovely garden...

I had a delicious smokey chilli and bacon burger. The burger was homemade and far superior to the regular pub fare. Service was excellent, would go again.

The Royal Oak is a jewel hidden in the South Downs. Absolutely fantastic location, set by medieval crossroads.A warm welcome always on hand from Dave and Sarah, great menu and a multitude of real ales always available.If you are looking for a totally unspoilt pub with character then this is one you must visit.Beautiful garden with ample seating and for the cooler times a log fire will warm the cockles !Superb walks with spectacular views for miles around.If you have not been then you are missing out !

This place is a real gem. Sitting in stunning countryside, The Royal Oak is a rare thing in this day and age, a freehold pub that still has its heart. The decor is warm, welcoming and absolutely right for the building style, the garden is exceptionally well kept and huge! Even if there are no free tables there is plenty of space to plonk on the grass with a pint. The selection of beers and ales is ever changing and very well kept by the landlord who clearly knows his stuff and as for the food well, what can I say except simply fantastic.The menu is very comprehensive and caters for all tastes from a simple but very well presented ploughmans to the amazing venison pie you will not be disappointed. The cook prepares all the food from fresh using the best ingredients and then cooks to perfection with generous portions always served hot and with a smile.I personally feel that this place is one of the best pubs in the County and considering on most days there is only the landlord and lady doing everything on their own they really do serve up a great eating and drinking experience.As for the negative reviews on here, I would say to those reviewers remember this is a small place run by an extremely hard working couple who do an amazing job in a traditional way. You want cheap food, bland beer, and soulless service? Go to Wetherspoons.......

Having visited this pub on occasion over the last 40 years, we thought it would be a lovely place to take my daughter and her partner to for lunch followed by a good dog walk up on the downs. Unfortunately we missed lunchtime opening on Saturday but as we were staying in the area we went again on the Sunday but earlier. The four of us arrived with 2 labradors and a chihuahua - all very well behaved, having visited before we remembered that they were a dog friendly pub, but to be polite, two of us went in and asked if we were ok to bring the dogs in (explaining that we we weren't muddy as we hadn't been for a walk yet). As it was early there was space inside the pub with a table in the bar that could have easily accommodated us. Were were quite shocked and actually embarrassed to be asked brusquely "how many of you is there?" and then even more brusquely told 'there's no room'. In amazement we retreated back outside for the door to be slammed behind us. Even though we felt like this man didn't deserve our custom we decided to stay for a drink, two of us went in to buy the drinks and were then told by the mannerless man behind the bar "we've cleared some tables for you, you can come in now". It was too late Mr Grumpy, we weren't going to give you a penny more of our money, you truly don't deserve it. So we can't review the food, we can only review the service. It is such a pity to find that what has been such a favourite hide away spot for so many years has been spoilt by such inhospitality. Keep that kind of service up Mr Grumpy and you won't get any customers to turn away.

The goodPerfect location for walkersLovely garden with loads of space between tablesPretty pubFast service The not so goodThe menu felt like the kind of thing that I remember from pubs in the eighties e.g. tuna pasta bake, no salads. I went for the ploughmans which was ordinary bread and a chunk cheese with a packet of butter, iceberg-type lettuce and pickle. At other pubs in the area you would probably get a few more ingredients on the plate and better quality. I think that a simple style suits the location well but it would be so much more appealing if they were using high quality local ingredients.

The Royal Oak is a lovely country pub in an idyllic location nestling in the South Downs. The beer is good, the food is good and the service is good. What more could you want!? And there’s always Dave, behind the bar, ready to serve you a drink and pass the time of day. And, if you’re lucky, (and if you’ve got a few minutes to spare) Dave will tell you one of his stories!! The Royal Oak has always been a favourite of mine, as it was for my brother-in-law, Alex, who sadly died a few weeks ago. So we decided to have a farewell party in the Royal Oak. We filled the back room and dined on Sarah’s excellent pies, followed by Christmas pudding. (This is the only place I know where you can get Christmas pudding all year round!!) We were well looked after by Dave and Sarah and Tracey. So my thanks go to them all for putting on such a lovely party!!

The Royal Oak is in a fantastic location for country walks or mountain bike rides. It forms the anchor to what for us is an annual pilgrimage where a group of friends and families come together to enjoy a bracing walk, good simple home-cooked pub food and an excellent and ever changing selection of guest ales. Watch out for the chilli con carne - a favourite for those who like it a bit spicy! It is all topped off by a great landlord and landlady who both ensure a warm welcome every time.

This pub is a rarity these days. Owned and run by Dave and Sarah for over 25 years with a proper welcome, real fires in winter, basic pub grub but a wide menu and all freshly home cooked and well served up at reasonable prices.The location is idylic, at the end of a rough lane off the main road, down to the valley bottom where it simply ends at the pub car park. Located in the heart of the South Downs and surrounded by beautiful countryside with no traffic except the pub patrons' cars, dogs and walkers are made equally welcome as well. The pub itself is a very ancient and attractive building with a long history.It is exceptionally well maintained and fronted by a a beautiful garden, especially pleasant in the summer months.With a myriad of circular walks to choose from all starting and ending at the pub, the location is a walkers paradise. We love it!

Had a rather disappointing meal,after a lovely walk. Had drinks outside in the lovely garden in the sunshine before going inside to eat. Service was good,efficient and prompt. Decor in the restaurant was terrible with faded prints on the walls and old straw covered wine bottles.Tiny tiny thin paper napkins were far too small. My homemade lasagne was good, but rather small. It came with chips and we all remarked at the tiny amount we were all given. Chips aren't expensive, and how silly to scrimp on these! I had even less than everyone else, just a handful. The salad was pathetically small too, an egg cup size. For £10 I thought it was steep for the amount on my plate. I was hungry after I left.

What a beautiful pub!! Quiet and secluded but absolutely picturesque. Friendly staff and delicious food. We went for a Burger and a chicken breast and both were lovely! We'll definitely be visiting again!

First went to The Royal Oak many years ago when I was a student and liked it very much. Have visited many times recently and now love it. We always receive a warm welcome and there is a good selection of well kept beer. The food is good and competitively priced but the recently introduced burgers are the best ever. Great in the summer with a lovely garden and warm and cosy by the fire in winter. This is somewhere I always look forward to going to.

First impressions, a warm and friendly pub. Look at the menu and the prices and you expect the 2 to correlate. Wrong in spades. Don't have any ploughman's, with limp unimaginative salad and poor choice of chutney with bog standard bread and wrapped butter. I cannot describe how disappointed I was with the food and quality of their beer. HSB served cloudy and too cold. Will never return and scrubbed that otherwise lovely walk off our list.

Out for a walk along the South Downs above South Harting. The whole world seemed to be out on either their bicycle or shanks' pony. Imagine our surprise to find the pub almost deserted.Great selection of drinks and very reasonable lunchtime menu. Sat outside in the sunshine. A good place to go on a round trip up on the downs.

Si vous allez du côté de Goodwood parce que vous êtes passionné d'automobiles de course, ou que vous visitez le West Sussex, ne manquez pas de passer une nuit au Royal Oak à East Lavant. Vous ne le regretterez pas, promis. Belle cuisine anglaise traditionnelle dans une cadre "relais de chasse" très raffiné qui vous ramène à l'époque des calèches, top.

Arrived on a snowy lunchtime in January. Considering the rural location to a very warm greeting.Delightful hosts ready to serve lunch and drinks as required! An honest pub with good value food and a lovely atmosphere. Thank you for a very enjoyable few hours sat by the fire, drinking,eating and plenty of bonhomie! Cheers.

This is a lovely old pub in a fabulous setting. Inside it has tons of character, and there is a beautiful garden at the front. It sells great ales and the ambiance is very nice. We used to travel here 30 plus years ago for a meal of venison pie (still on the menu) and a proper beer when you had to travel far and wide to track down a glass of real ale. It was always an adventure. The main problem we've found is that the pub is closed much of the time. For a pub right in the middle of prime walking country this is almost a crime! It is closed all day Monday, it is closed every afternoon including Saturday and Sunday, even in summer, and we have experienced it closed in the evening for a private party. Very annoying when you've cycled 10 miles there and the next nearest pub is miles away! The pub features on The Sunday Times country walks guide and if you are walking the South Downs Way or in the Downs around the area, or following The Sunday Times walk then you had better ensure you get there in time or you will not get served. The walk description mentions (according to my friend who had the details) the 'grumpy' landlord and this is true. He certainly learned everything he knows, from Basil Fawlty. You know those country pubs that have a cheery sign on the door saying "Muddy boots and wet dogs welcome!"? Well this pub is not like that. A large sign tells you to remove muddy boots. One visit, it was a lovely day and our group arrived tired and ready for a nice beer after a long walk. The main front door was open, and there were people inside. I was leading the group and I started to remove my muddy boots just in the doorway. As I did so a voice boomed out, "Read the door!" I looked up, slightly confused. "Pardon?" I enquired. "Read the door!" the kindly gentleman repeated. I was still no wiser – what was I supposed to be reading? I was taking my boots off! My face still conveyed my confusion so he elucidated: "We're closed!" He was trying to communicate in his inimitable way that I should read the sign which gave their opening times. It was bang on their closing time – indeed maybe we were a minute inside, in other words between last orders and time. Definitely still inside the drinking up time. Another landlord might have said, "You can have a drink...if your quick!"Still, our party of about 6 walkers were not welcome and so we ceased removing our boots and left, thirsty and warm on this lovely sunny afternoon. (Note to self: bring your own tins of beer on the walk in future!). The fact he is able to stay closed so much of the time and also turn away a party that would have probably spent nearly twenty quid on a round of drinks suggests they are making plenty of money. And I thought pubs were struggling these days! We have met many others who have had similar experiences here. I've seen people trying to get in on a Saturday afternoon, when they assumed they would get a drink there. In an era where most pubs are open all day, it is a shame that the owners of this one are bucking the trend and sticking rigidly to limited opening hours. It is quite crazy that this pub, in the perfect position to supply rest and sustenance to many walkers, cyclists and riders, is more often than not closed when you arrive at its door. Anyway there you are – a veritable gold mine for some entrepreneur to do the obvious. That is, open at least all day at the weekends. We were walking this area a week ago and the countryside was heaving with walkers. The amount of extra business this would generate would easily offset the costs of opening the extra time.