Part of our Best Pubs in London microsite. See if we've included your local.
The Royal Oak is a thoroughly traditional pub, with a sumptuous wooden interior. Sadly, it recently 'modernised' an iota by taking down its net curtains, but this is still one of the most 'real' pubs around. Arguably, its most notable feature is its long affiliation with Harveys of Lewes – an independent Sussex-based brewery founded in the late 18th century.
While several London pubs are now owned by the Sussex brewer, The Royal Oak is one of the originals, and built a strong reputation on that claim. Seven hand pumps, usually featuring at least one guest ale, are split across two bars that are often busy without being packed. We're particularly keen on the Copperwheat beer.
To help soak up the drink, The Royal Oak also offers a decent food menu — more stodge than haute cuisine — but popular with the pub’s friendly regulars. One hitch: the toilets are a little deficient, particularly the Ladies, which features just one cubicle and a difficult door.
The pub underwent a change of management in January 2019, after the retirement of Frank Taylor and John Porteous, who'd overseen the pub for 20 years. But the old formula still works well, even without those net curtains.
