The Royal Oak at Wootton Rivers in Wiltshire - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

So perfect to sit in their courtyard on a sunny day. Ancient building, simple tables, good beer, and massive portions of well priced, delicious food. What more could you want?

Good pub but don’t get the burger - convinced it was from the freezer

Lovely lamb roast. Great and friendly service.

Hidden gem, off the beaten track (Unless you are on a canal boat) . There is more to this pub, and the village than meets the eye!

Had a lovely meal here home cooked traditional food and reasonably priced A very friendly welcome Quaint olde worlde pub with lots of character Would definitely recommend a visit

I am not able to review the food. Although advertised as serving food. Nothing was available. Very dirty, heavly stained carpet. Not very welcoming.

Great friendly pub with lovely food 😋

Had nice walk by the K&A canal, plenty of parking in free car park down from pub, and nice old 13th. Century church. Nice olde 16th.century thatched Inn, and fantastic pint of coiderr.

Real old village pub that does great food and is very good value for money.

Good menu, very economically priced. Friendly service and pleasantish atmosphere on a Wednesday lunchtime. But the coffee machine wasn't working (although we were offered instant).

Love the friendly service, great opening hours, delicious food and dog friendly. Looking forward to Sunday lunch

Very good service lam Andrew sharman

Wonderful country pub with excellent, very well priced food. Will definitely be coming back

Stopped off on way back from Swindon Shopping for light Lunch. My wife and I shared a Ham & Cheese Ciabatta. Delicious. Very nice Pint of 1664. Very friendly. nice atmosphere

An excellent combination of fresh battered cod, chunky (healthiest) chips, peas & tartare sauce... at a very competitive price. Chilled smooth Guinness also hit the spot. Enjoyed the warm convivial ambience. Lastly, Wootton Rivers is a very picturesque village, just a few miles from Marlborough- an historic & cultural Wiltshire town with a character all of its own- on the edge of Savernake Forest. They're all well worth a visit!

Atmospheric and traditional 'Old England' free house, dating back 500 years. Independently owned for decades, a rare gem in this 21st century of on-line noise. Good food, very well priced, and a log fired winter-warm bar; walkers will appreciate. Tuesday's pie night is highly recommended. A varied choice served in stoneware with a light puff pastry topping, chunky chips, and optional side orders. The barman was more than happy to substitute the chips with an excellent mixed vegetable side, or salad. That kept the calories and starch lower so I could indulge in an excellent Eaton Mess. Nota bene: How could this establishment not be special, located in a hamlet that goes by the exotic name of Wootton Rivers? 🙃  [Open every day except Mondays, closed Tuesday to Friday during the mid-afternoon]

When you arrive order food at the bar as soon as possible or you will have a long wait.

We had Sunday lunch here last week. Friendly service and great food at a fair price. I would have loved to have tried one of their desserts but had no room, partly because I ordered the cauliflower cheese as an extra and it was honestly the best I have ever had. Beautiful pub in a beautiful village setting.

A hidden gem well worth the visit. Excellent pub food, very tasty pint of local ale in a pint handle and straight from the barrel. Will be back.

Stopped for dinner whilst moored by the lock. Initially disappointed for it to be our Tuesday. However, the disappointment was very short lived. A great choice of pies and they were delicious. The food was served with beautiful fresh vegetables and lovely chunky chips. We enjoyed it so much so we are hanging around for lunch today before setting off down the canal.

Great pub, great staff. The food itself was nice just wasn't served how I would have liked it. My friends fish and chips was nice. Will definitely go back and try something different.

Absolutely superb pub, very much worth a detour to take in its easy atmosphere, lovely old architecture, friendly staff, good food (at excellent price) and fine ale. A top ten pub for me.

Was too late to eat, but the beer selection was interesting. Totally village pub, marvellous. Well worth the few miles off the beaten track required to find it.

Ancient country pub serving great food.

We had a delicious meal of fish and chips here. We waited a while for our food but that is because they were a chef short. Friendly people and lovely old interior. Beautiful village setting. Worth a visit!

Visited while camping in the area. Had steak and ale pie and chicken breast in a cream garlic and bacon sauce with fresh veg. Absolutely delicious. Generous portion. Would definitely recommend.

16th Century pub. Very charming. Great food. Great pint of local beer from the keg

Had the best fish and chips pub lunch I’ve had in a long time sitting out in the courtyard with a couple of pints after a long dog walk in the glorious surrounding countryside. Perfection.

Good pie and chips. Didn't like or agree with dog owners allowing dogs to sit on chairs in dining area. Absolutely disgusting. It's bad enough to allow dogs into eating areas without letting them sit at the table. Should be banned from food areas.

Proper pub, very friendly, veg lasagne was OK. Good beer.

Alleen al voor het gebouw, uit de 16e eeuw, een omweg waard! Het eten was erg lekker, bediening zeer vriendelijk maar de hele atmosfeer doet t hem!! Schitterende hoeve

Great pub, great food and lovely people, what more can you ask for!

We moored up our holiday canal boat and walked into the village a very postcard village indeed, we booked a table beforehand (advisable) the food was hot and very tasty, great selection of beers and ciders being a free house and the staff and locals were very welcoming I recommend this pub to anyone visiting the Kennet and Avon canal excellent service and excellent food.

We arrived Friday evening after spotting the sign on the main road it was later in the evening and relatively quiet,it’s a lovey old country pub that gives off a feeling welcome and comfort as soon as you enter, the food was straight forward and tasty (lovely chips ) and the beer was moreish , the kind of place you don’t really want to leave.

Decent food and decent price, amazingly not busy (Thursday) If I had to fault the place, I could not for the life of me find a menu online. Would suggest that is added to the website

We returned to the Royal Oak after some years for Sunday lunch. Limited menu (a far cry from the old days of a long list of microwaved, frozen, ready meals). Good value - a generous country portion of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings for £15. The food was hot, freshly cooked, tasty and served on a hot plate. Some might prefer gravy to be served in a separate jug. The Royal Oak is as attractive as ever - a fine old country pub in a village on the Kennet & Avon canal. Just the sort of place that should be supported to stay in business. It seemed to be doing well. The restaurant was almost full but with room for walk-ins. Dog friendly. Good beer. Good service, as long as you are not looking for fast food delivery.

Didn't eat but food did look good. Nowt wrong with the beer

Lovely country pub offering standard pub fayre. Our second visit and a lot quieter for coming on a midweek lunchtime.

I came here some years ago it was great food and service then and today my family and I had a Sunday roast it was very nice. it was great value for money 😃.

We had a very nice lunch in the sun outside.

Had a late Lunch at the Royal Oak Today 25/06/2023-,My self and my Husband had Roast Chicken really Yummy, Would have loved to try a dessert but was to full up. WAS absolutely Brilliant will definitely be visiting again 10 out of q0

Salt and pepper squid very tasty and good value.

Despite not the pubs usual opening hours a very friendly landlord took pity on us and allowed us to have a drink... 5 star service and could not be faulted. Didn't get chance to sample the food but was told it was very good by other people we met while we were canal boating for 2 weeks! Highly Recommended!

Lovely stop in a beautiful scenario Friendly service was a bonus. Nice atmosphere as well.

I only popped in for a drink whilst waiting to pick up someone but staff were friendly

Great walk round the local area ending in lovely old pub for a quick pint.

stop here on the way back from Diddly squat farm.amazing food and drink.had the lamb and mint pie.would defo recommend it.

Decided to call in here on the way to Swindon, the pub is down a winding country road in a pleasant village near the Kennet and Avon Canal. The pub dates from the 16th Century and is attractive both inside and out. My main course - a casserole was very ordinary but the dessert , a panna cotta was delicious. The house wine, a Merlot, was exceptionally good. The staff were friendly; I loved the empty wine bottles painted with flowers which were on the tables. The pub is dog-friendly.

Recently, I've been very disappointed with eating Sunday lunch out. NOT SO at The Royal Oak. Wonderful pub, friendly staff, great service and the food was delicious, hot and beautifully presented. Will definitely be returning again. 😌

Stopped here for a meal whilst on a boating trip on the canal. All 4 of us thoroughly enjoyed the food so decided to stop off again when passing on return journey. Again not disappointed. Would totally recommend. With a special thank you to Damion who ensured we were well looked after.

We popped in last night after a dog walk (yes they are very dog friendly). We set up in a window seat and ordered drinks and considered the menu of traditional pub food (Fish&chips, ham, egg chips, burgers, a couple of very decent sounding veggie/vegan options), steak and so on.. this does not pretend to be a gastropub (thank goodness some pubs don't have those aspirations!) and the food is priced accordingly, its very reasonable IMO. There was a fair wait for the food as they were pretty busy, but that wasn't a problem and when the food arrived it was pretty good! The welcome was warm, the service was friendly, and we'd have no hesitation going back when we're in the area again.

Lovely pub in attractive village setting. Very welcoming landlord, knowledgeable and interesting, pub been in his family for years. Good selection of real ales and other usual pub drinks. Nice pub lunch, homemade soup and shared a prawn sandwich. Walks and campsite nearly.

Really nice Sunday lunch. Good value and wide selection on the menu. Good outdoor seating and great service.

Was greeted by a man called Pete very pleasant and friendly and helpful ordered our food we sat to a table as we could see the kitchen doors open as it was a hot day looking through the the doorframe we could see an elderly lady picking and prodding other peoples food moving at the food around licking her fingers that I’m not sure if this was a chef or not but she had no bra on it was a disgusting sight to see and also it was clear to us that she was tasting peoples food and eating it when my daughters dinner arrived she had a clear bite mark out of one of the chips it was absolute disgusting also there is an elderly gentleman he was just walking around being grumpy and miserable wouldn’t eat her again overpriced and the old lady inspecting and testing your food before you eat it absolutely disgusting

The staff were friendly and helpful however our experience was very disappointing. This was the first weekend that the hospitality industry was able to serve food outside. With this in mind we'd expected that the restaurant had had time to be super clean in anticipation for the easing of lock down rules. It was not! From a filthy plastic table cloth that looked like it hadn't been cleaned since before the first lock, down to the black dust sat on the rim of our teacup. I choose the pate starter. It was nothing like i'd ever experienced before, and not in a good way. A generous portion of pate looked like it had been dolloped from a height onto the plate, accompanied with the cheapest of brown bread, a few pieces of browning lettuce and strangest of all, a half jar of marmalade spooned over the pate! This was not the first meal out with my family that I had been so looking forward to.

We had a lovely time at the Royal Oak. The staff were really friendly and welcoming and our dog was welcome too. The food was good quality home cooked food and although there were a opulent of vegan option on the menu, the chef was able to rustle up another couple of bespoke options too. Recommended for a great value, dog friendly and welcoming meal with great walks on the door step.

Loved the thatched, real ale pub in a ‘chocolate box’ village. Our dinner was reasonable. The pub was well setup for COVID safety.B&B was another story. There was no evidence that our room or the common (kitchen & dining/sitting) rooms had been prepared to a COVID safe standard. This included no signage or written statements to reassure guests.The kitchen was setup as a common facility to make tea/coffee & continental b/fast. Only after we asked, were we told a cooked b/fast was not available in spite of it being advertised on the booking site & in the room guest book. The milk, juice, butter & jams were all in the common fridge. A loaf of bread was by the toaster, along with open boxes of cereal. Of course, we didn’t use any of these items. Even if we were not in the middle of a pandemic would we use these items knowing multiple guests could have handled them over numerous days/weeks.

After waiting over An hour and a half for food to arrive i was very disappointed at the quality of food for it's elivated price.This would have been better served in a roadside cafe for a fraction of the price. Dry bread, dry beans and over cooked chips. Avoid the steak at all costs as this was a very poor cut with a uneatable gristle seem running through it. Beer aslo flat and not kept well.

We went for a pie and chips on there amazing pie night at just £8 a pie. They where so fully booked that the only space we could get was outside but we brave they wind and had a very enjoyable meal. The pie was amazing and staff very efficient too. We will return

A group of 10 consisting of friends and family came here for lunch after a long walk on New Year's Day. Friendly efficient service and good food. An excellent way to start the New Year! I look forward to seeing a few more vegetarian choices when I come next time.

Excellent country pub with an open fire. Friendly and professional team serving simple and excellent food. And beer at a price that confirms this pub is still old school and in the previous century!! A must visit.

Went today, we had the steak and ale pie, daughter had sausage and mash and our four year old had fish fingers, absolutely stunning.Staff were the friendliest you could imagine, as were the locals, and they're truly dog friendly. If you don't like a warm atmosphere, good food, friendly people and dogs don't go but if you do, you'll love this pub

My girlfriend and I were passing through the village after visiting a family member. We decided to pop in for a Sunday lunch. The pub had a very nice atmousfear, great service from the friendly chap behind the bar. We both had the roast chicken. Portion sizes very generous and everything on point. It was an added bonus when we got the bill and discovered the food was great value for money aswell. Great!

Me my wife and our two kids stopped in for a meal here last night and couldn’t be happier. We where greeted by a friendly bar man and made to feel very welcome. The food we ate was amazing and good value, plus they where more than happy for our daughter to play in the pool room and dance to the juke box. All in all a very happy night out. Will be back soon.

What a find! The Royal oak is a picture-postcard pub. Oak beams, thatched roof, pretty village - it has it all. We pitched up there after a walk up from Easton Royal. We were warmly welcomed by the staff, who are all very friendly and chatty. There is a good range of beers available, including those from the local brewer, as well as from further afield (Doombar on the day we were there). Unfamiliar with the local ales, I was given a sample to try before ordering!The menu is varied, with plenty of choice for all tastes. The food really is very good and the portions are generous and delicious. It was a good job we had walked to the pub as we needed the exercise after to work off the meal! My wife ordered a pie. As a family, we rate pies on what we call the Holkham Scale, Holkham Hall in Norfolk being where we had the best pies known to man (and woman). I can report that the pies served at the Royal Oak score a massive 9 out of 10!We had hoped to return again later in the week, but time and other commitments didn't allow, which was disappointing. We may not have made it this time, but when we're next in the area we will definitely be visiting the Royal Oak.

Moored at Wootton Bridge And was recommended to try the pub by “Jonsey” from Burbage. Lovely building and village. Made to feel very welcome, dog friendly. Locals were great and had a good laugh. Food was was great and was value for money. Highly recommend.

We turned up on chance for dinner, entered the bar, not realising there was a separate Restaurant entrance and upon asking for a menu was told it was Tuesday Pie night. We ordered our pies from a blackboard and sat to have a drink. It was only at this point we noticed a restaurant, would have been nice to have been offered the Restaurant Menu. Food was Ok nice Pies but only came with chips no veg. Bit disappointing in that respect. Would visit again knowing that there is a more comprehensive menu available.

We live locally and had friends staying so decided to go out for Sunday lunch. They accommodated all seven of us at short notice and the main courses and deserts we had were so delicious that there were seven clear plates at the end of each course. The restaurant was very busy but we did not have to wait at all and the lady that served us was friendly and efficient. Can’t fault anything and we will definitely be back.

We Myself, wife and daughter called here for lunch on our way to Portsmouth. We arrived a little early at 11.50,on entering the premises we were confronted by a older lady who said in a aggressive tone "she doesn't start until 12.00,she deserves her breaks " taken back by this we thought about leaving but decided to stay.The food was good but portion sizes on the small side.we won't be calling again purely because of the aggressive welcome.

We found this lovely traditional village pub and were initially pleased by the welcome we received and confident that my wife and daughter’s allergies could be catered for. However, we then sat at a table that gave us a clear view of the kitchen and couldn’t help watching an elderly lady enter the kitchen and start inspecting meals on the pass. A bit of quality control one may think, but not when you witness the lady repeatedly touch food lick her fingers and then touch other plates of food; disgusting! Not sure who the lady was and what her role is at this establishment, but she should be kept out of the kitchen as she presents a health hazard. We cancelled our order, explaining why, paid for our drinks and left feeling sick

On a family boating holiday and found ourselves stuck at Wootton Rivers when the locks were closed due to a water shortage (really?!!). Luckily this pub was just down the road. We couldn’t move for 42 hours and it was pouring with rain. The landlord welcomed us in and let our twenty somethings use the pool table, even when he was closed between lunch and evening opening. To top that he took a shopping list to the supermarket and bought us supplies. The food is great, the staff all lovely and we can not recommend this pub enough. Thank you to all at The Royal Oak. So glad we got stuck near you.

A lovely traditional countryside pub in the middle of nowhere and that’s why we liked it. We weren’t the only ones as the pub was full!

Arrived as a group of 5, no warm welcome. Lady behind the bar didn't seem to want to be bothered. Ordered meals from very tatty menu's and had a very long wait. When food did arrive it was at least delivered by a waitress who smiled and was pleasant, but was not allowed to get one of our group a glass of wine by the merry soul behind the bar. Food average, lasagne was at least homemade but was badly microwaved and served with very cheap frozen chips. Other meals also average. Paid exact bill, if want a tip, try improving your service!

Visiting my cousin who has a small dog, so the Royal Oak was ideal as it is dog friendly.Excellent pints of Ramsbury IPA, which is grown and brewed only about 10 miles away. A good choice of bar food at reasonable prices. I had a Wiltshire ham ploughmans, which came with 2 types of crusty bread, salad, chutney etc. My wife had scampi and chips, scampi good but chips were on the cold side on a cold plate. All round, an enjoyable visit with plenty of room to sit and chat over a pint. A pretty pub in a pretty village.

lovely old fashioned country pub, hidden away in wootton rivers, well worth taking a visit, food is general pub fayre, but good quality

My wife and I discovered this lovely place after following a "Good pub food" sign on the main road.Although the road was a bit narrow in places - it was well worth the small detour to find this great place.The ale was very refreshing and the food was well cooked.Staff very welcoming too.

My wife and I were passing through Wootton Rivers and stopped for a quick drink. This is the first visit in about 15 years and sadly the place doesn't seem to have changed much.

My wife & I hadn't been here for many years so as we were passing close by we decided to pop in for lunch last weekend. We decided to order the FRESH crab Salad each that was priced @ £17.50. Within about 5 mins it arrived. I took one look & was truly shocked at what I saw....

We had a good meal here after a walk on the canal. Good menu and friendly staff. The meal was delicious we shall call again that’s for sure.

I visited with friends today and all but me ordered food (I'd been discouraged by poor TA reviews). The food (pub food- things and chips) looked good and enjoyed by all. The beer however was not 100%. I had Ramsbury which was lifeless and flat and I think about to turn. The others had Tribute which was pronounced good. To summarise: our experience with the food here was good, but taste the beer before ordering.

We were visiting friends on their narrowboat and walked into Wootton Rivers for lunch. There was plenty of room in the beer garden which was well prepared with sun umbrellas to offer shade - and with water for the dog. The bar was well stocked with a good variety of ales and lagers (it was a pity that my choice ran out as it was being pulled). Food was of a good quality although slightly on the expensive side but was very enjoyable and the service and friendly waitress who served the food was brilliant, Miss Marple take a bow.

Had a ham ploughman's. The ham was excellent but unfortunately the three types of bread given with the meal had not been kept sealed and were each hard on the outside. We ate it as we were hungry and if it had been at home would probably have done the same but when you are paying good money you do expect freshness as a minimum.

We went for a family Sunday lunch. I was astounded when the plates arrived - with what amounted to meagre rations. In this day and age when village pubs need to compete with so many places offering a Sunday carvery (where you serve yourself and therefore the portions are always perfect) this place surely cannot survive.

A picture postcard village with a lovely thatched pub steeped in history. Been for a walk in the Savernake Forest and stumbled across this pub.

Called in this weekend - service pleseant enough.

This pub is a shadow of its former self. Surly and lugubrious staff combined with overpriced and unappetising food render this establishment one to avoid. Very sad.

Been here a couple of times, last one on my birthday June 2018, and very disappointed with scallops 'cut up with ? scissors', but thought it must have been some one off glitch in the kitchen. BUT on Friday fish with a risotto for my partner was ALL VERY STODDGY and waited ages!!! reordered scampi and chips from a very pleasant and apologetic barman, which came promptly, but my swordfish was overcooked, as though it had been left on the pass for far to long!! Such a great shame, but helped a little by the profuse apologies and gesture of a reduced bill courtesy of the landlord/owner, a very pleasant gentleman! However when you have planned a special day out it is upsetting, and I will not risk another visit!

How can you get a simple sandwich so wrong? If they can't do even this what must the other stuff be like. Lovely spot for a drink. Go elsewhere for food.

My sunday roast was disappointing, and felt like it had come from 1970. This large slice of over-cooked beef, drowned in gravy. Starter and desert were fine, but they really need to get the basics right. Very friendly service though

Came in from a narrow-boat and had lunch in this lovely old pub with the idea of dinner as well. Beer okay but the food, though fine, just wasn't as good as when we were here 5 or so years ago. By consensus we ordered a take away delivery from a nearby Indian restaurant for dinner as no-one felt that the value-for-money was great.

On a barge holiday and booked a table in the evening. There were 4 adults and we all thought the food and service were excellent. Very extensive menu choices and served hot and tasty. Thought the service was superb and Ramsbury Rum Porter (I think it was called) was a superb bottled beer. Excellent and thank you.

We enjoyed a lovely meal at the pub. The staff are very friendly and the food was delicious. Really nice relaxed atmosphere. We will definitely visit again.

We found this gem when looking for somewhere convenient to meet up with family for lunch and a dog walk. Had a lovely walk through the local countryside and along the canal, followed by a good, hearty pub lunch from the very extensive menu which included Sunday roasts, sandwiches and numerous fish specials, plus vegetarian and vegan options. Within our group we tried the roast beef, a pie, seabass and a fish finger sandwich for mains, plus various starters and a couple of puddings. It was all excellent for the price, which we found very reasonable. The lady behind the bar was extremely friendly and welcoming, and our dog was made very welcome too. So glad we’ve found this place and we will definitely be back.

We stopped here on a whim on New Year's Eve lunchtime. The lady behind the bar was sooo friendly and welcoming, we already knew it would be good. We wanted a country-feel pub and we got it. We're talking low ceilings, beams, fireplace, and a table where you can sit and eat and still feel like you're in a pub. (I don't care for tables or sections that have no view of the bar--I want to feel like I'm in a pub!)

Lovely food and lovely welcoming service. Cosy pub to have food very quaint. Good choice of food on menu

We called in the afternoon,and was told if we would like to have dinner for the evening we would have to book as it was pie night, we booked for 6.

Great meal, in lovely surroundings. Extensive menu, especially seafood, & reasonable prices. Friendly staff. Good service. Could hear conversation, as there was no background music - a great change to many places!

I was also heading south and saw the signs and was delighted with both the (thatched) pub but also such a pretty little village. There is ample parking and I had a warm welcome. There is a good menu and my food arrived promptly and was very tasty.

Set in a beautiful village near the canal. Lovely pub with a very big menu. We had a Sunday Roast and also a mixture of things off the daily menu. (Four of us). We all over our choice of food and said we would love to go back. Parking was good. Outside area if you prefer. Dog and child friendly. Good real ale too.

We took the detour from the Marlborough road having seen the pub direction sign and balloons, noticed many times before when passing, but in truth had we known it was a couple of miles, we probably would not have bothered. When we reached the village, I did wonder if the pub would be open at lunchtime at such a remote location and initially we were the only customers but several more did arrive during our visit.