456 reviews
#1 of 2 Restaurants in Swallowcliffe££ - £££, British, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options+44 1747 870211+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
12:00 - 18:00
Mon
12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 23:00
Tue
12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 23:00
Wed
12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 23:00
Thu
12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 23:00
Fri
12:00 - 23:00
Sat
12:00 - 23:00
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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CUISINES
British
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
features
Can a vegan person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
About
Awarded the Good Hotel Guide's award for best newcomer in 2017, The Royal Oak offers a chic and sophisticated but distinctly relaxed vibe. With a creative, seasonal menu, a reputation for some of the finest food in the area and six serene and extremely comfortable bedrooms, we have everything you could need for the perfect evening out or weekend away.
CUISINES
British
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
456 reviews
Excellent
317
Very good
80
Average
28
Poor
20
Terrible
11
Richard Perry
Sherborne12 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Four of us visited The Royal Oak for Sunday lunch and loved this hidden gem. There was a warm welcome from the friendly staff and the pub/restaurant has a relaxed ambience, we sat in the beautiful oak framed conservatory. We were all very impressed with the food and for me, as a vegetarian, it was by far the best pub/restaurant Sunday roast I have eaten. We thought the food was reasonably priced and would highly recommend a visit to The Royal Oak.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim B
Tisbury111 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
It was lovely to be back after a long absence to find quality just as high. A nice safe welcome and four of us settled down for a family lunch.
After a welcoming prosecco, we ate the supreme of chicken, the crispy chickpea fritters and the pan fried stone bass - all tasty and well presented. We drank a little of the Etoile de Mer Rose and the Ancora Rosso both delicious.
We finished with Panna Cotta and Profiteroles and coffees. All was served kindly and efficiently and an enjoyable time was had by all. We paid £36 per head which was good value
We are looking forward to returning after the planned lockdown.
Written 4 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve D
3 contributions
Jul 2021 • business
After a long drive from Cornwall I stopped off and stayed the night at The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe and I have to say I was impressed. The accommodation was a big spacious room which was very clean and extremely comfortable…I couldn’t fault it. In the evening I had a meal and decided to go with the Pork…it was lovely! The portions are not to big but at the same time not small. It certainly isn’t pub food, that’s for sure, it’s a little bit more than that. It’s reasonably inexpensive and I think anybody that decides to dine here will not be disappointed. The waiting staff were very good also. Dessert I had the sticky toffee pud….yum yum!!! The bar area is slightly small and you can imagine a bottle neck being created if it gets to busy in the restaurant and garden which could slow things down during busy periods. You feel that a pub of this statue deserves a bigger bar, It certainly has the space to accommodate. The beer garden is lovely and is perfect for the hot summer days/nights. In the winter it would be a shame not to utilise this space and make it a covered outside alfresco dining experience with heaters.
In the morning I took the opportunity to have breakfast as it was included in my room rate…Again it was very good and couldn’t fault it. All in all the management / owners have done a very good job with this pub. You can tell that a lot of thought has gone behind it and credit to them…I will certainly be back.
Written 7 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anonymous
3 contributions
Nov 2021 • couples
Went to this pub for lunch with my husband. Fantastic surroundings, staff attentive and helpful but!! The chips were dreadful. When the price for fish and chips is £15 you expect (well I do) triple cooked crispy chips. Fish was lovely but the chips were I’m sure frozen - how hard is it to prepare and cook a decent chip?????
Written 28 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bannister4
Thank you for your feedback although on this occasion I must say I am surprised and a tad disappointed that you do not like our chips as we are constantly praised for the quality and consistency of our chips and the fact we offer 2 different styles of chips. We do hope you will return and try more of our freshly prepared food.
Written 11 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Neil M
Croydon17 contributions
Sept 2021 • none
What a wonderful meal we have just had at the Royal Oak. We had the mushroom soup and the hake and both were just superb. Probably in my 63 years one of the best pub meals I have ever tasted. The produce was fresh, the hake white with freshness and the combination of tastes was excellent. Wine was reasonably priced, well chilled and went down a dream in the beautiful gardens at the rear of the pub. Let’s not forget the sweets which were equally ‘yummy’.
Service was impeccable, polite, efficient and relaxed
Excellent 10/10 to all staff involved with our beautiful meal
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B A L
London6 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
Firstly, the setting of the pub is fabulous, tucked away in the pretty village of Swallowcliffe. The pub itself is very pretty and lovely inside with many dining venue options from the garden, to the Oak Room (stunning!) and other smaller dining rooms around the pub. Perfect for social distancing if needed!
We were staying at a nearby cottage so were able to walk to the pub and ended up eating there for three evening meals, and a Sunday lunch, as well as a drink in the garden one evening.
Although the menu isn't long there was something for most people. They met our dietry reqirements with aplomb and the chef even went out of his way to mark up my gluten and lactose free needs on a menu for those items that were okay for me and those that could be adapted.
The food was delicious whatever we chose (the half pint of prawns, the beetroot salmon and flat iron steak stand out). The staff worked so hard and we only had to wait a bit once but given covid restrictions and staffing levels that was remarkable. The staff were unfailingly helpful. Can't wait to revisit another year.
My top tip to the restaurant would be to mark up their menu with GF options or adapable meals as they have already done this for vegetarian and vegan. I've seen it done in restaurants nearby and isn't an onerous task given a little thought.
Written 21 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane B
Nottinghamshire9 contributions
Jun 2021 • friends
Visited this pub which was close to our holiday accommodation in a very hot week in mid June. The staff were extremely helpful and always with a smile from the time we arrived. Having read some other reviews commenting that they felt choice was limited, I have to say I thought the menu had a good range of options, you don’t need ten choices of every course if the options are as good as these were. The staff were very flexible in amending choices to allow for dietary requirements and the food was well presented and delicious. The beetroot cured salmon with horseradish stood out as did the Sunday roast which we returned for. The pub itself has a good atmosphere, interesting bespoke furniture and local artist’s work on display. I definitely recommend you try it if you visit the area.
Written 21 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim B
Tisbury111 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
Our local country pub goes from strength to strength. Our first trip back after re-opening and lovely welcome, comfortable seating with sensible spacing and a menu to die for. After a welcome prosecco, we ate the honey glazed duck and the cheese souffle accompanied by a fine Rose and a lovely Cabernet Franc. The food was nicely served and very tasty and we fished with a shared creme caramel and coffees. A well balanced meal with lovely service and, at £37 per head, very good value.
Written 10 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GaryJames
Lacock106 contributions
Oct 2020 • family
We were fortunate to be in attendance on the reopening of this wonderful inn. My family and I occupied 2 of the gorgeous rooms with the most incredibly comfy mattresses and furnishings, superb nights sleep. We dined beforehand and the food was glorious, I had the pheasant with bubble and squeak, crispy parsnips and a divine game jus. My wife had the Hake on crushed potatoes with baby leeks samphire a potted prawn butter. Our children had the best burgers they’ve ever sampled while eating out, no expense spared on quality, that was plainly evident. A fine wine list to accompany the menu, there’s something for everyone. We’ve eaten in a lot of nice places, our experience here was right up with the best of them.
It’s very clear that the staff have gone to great lengths to get this pub headed in the right direction, Chris and his team worked enthusiastically and tirelessly to ensure every customer had the best experience possible. They’re a tremendous credit to James and partners who so obviously want this Inn to succeed and we wish them well in this endeavour. We’ll most definitely be returning with friends and shall look forward to it immensely.
Written 29 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JAMES L
Salisbury302 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
After a long closure due to lockdown it was great to return here once again last week for lunch.
The menu was limited at lunchtime to 4 starters, 4 mains and 4 desserts but the choice was great and Johnny Sutcliffe's amazing Gazpacho was amongst the starters and as good as ever. The beetroot cured gravadlax was also very good and beautifully presented together with an Apple and Fennel salad dressed with a horseradish cream dressing.
We all had the Haddock and Chips with Mushy Peas which was superb. The Haddock was enrobed in a magnificent crispy batter and the Hand Cut Chips could not have been better. They were crispy and crunchy on the outside and like fondant on the exterior and they had been well seasoned during the cooking process to create sheer delight.
Only a minor criticism but you cannot make mushy peas by jumping up and down on a bag of Birdseye peas and it would be well worth while investing in a lorry load of marrowfat peas and a recipe or as a quicker alternative invest in some tins of Harry Ramsden's Mushy Peas. The trouble with garden peas mushed is that the skins on the peas are very fibrous and make for a fairly unpleasant mouthful even when well seasoned. The marrowfat peas on the other hand can be made into what our hairdresser calls Northern Guacamole, a real delicacy north of Watford along with Pease Pudding and Stotty Fadges.
The staff here are wonderful and we were looked after by two lovely young ladies whose front of house skills well compliment the expertise in the kitchen.
Love the place and cannot wait to come back again.
Written 21 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ladywell29
Poole9 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
This lunch was an absolute delight. Recommended highly by my son who had already visited three times, he was persuaded to treat me - and boy! was it worth it!
The gazpacho was cold - as it should be, with plenty of flavour and delightlfully presented. The slices of duck with cherries which we both had as our main were so tender, and again so attractively presented, with an accompanying dish of mixed vegetables. In my view the meal could not be faulted. The service was genuinely friendly and helpful. It made a lovely day out for me.
Written 31 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam
Salisbury151 contributions
Jul 2022 • friends
I was so looking forward to going for lunch with my friend who I had not seen for a while,menu looked lovely,garden inviting,service attentive.
Drinks expensive,£2.70 for a lime and soda,it’s fizzy water which is generally just carbonated,a outrage.Fish and chips and mushy peas,nothing special,chips luke warm and a small portion,fish okay but again small portion and luke warm
The worse part they charged £17
I won’t be going back,went to The Compasses Inn in Lower Chicksgrove on Monday,such amazing food and well priced and a wonderful view🙁🙁🙁🙁
Written 13 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve M
Oxfordshire19 contributions
Sept 2021 • friends
Went here as a walk in, at 13:00 on Sunday There were lots of free tables in the bar area and the garden both back and front the weather was warm and sunny. But oddly they said you had to book for food, which also stopped at 14:30. Surely supply and demand would have some impact. I can understand the need to book for the restaurant. although this did not seem very busy, you could not eat outside unless you had booked and they said they were fully booked. We were not greeted at the bar, staff seemed friendly but the was no interaction with us from the staff, they carried on like bees in a hive fixed on the job they had in hand
We watched several couples get a drink find a table and then the look of disappointment as they were also told there was no food!
Pub is ver clean and tidy (as you might expect from a quiet pub, the clients were mostly pensioners, as we listened to other clients say they knew of a few closer places that be open for food and for longer, we also decided to leave.
In short if have not booked don’t bother
Written 5 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teddy B
5 contributions
Oct 2022 • friends
We booked a table for a friends leaving do, booking was simple and the staff very accommodating.
The atmosphere in the pub itself is very welcoming and the menu full of seasonal pub classics alongside a few twists. The food was delicious and beautifully presented when it did arrive.
However, what lets the whole experience down is the lack of any form of organisation or drive from the waiting staff. They’re all smartly dressed, polite and smiling but basic drinks orders were consistently wrong and they weren’t attentive in the slightest meaning that everything felt laboured and took time, fine if you’ve got plenty of time to kill but definitely not a place for a quick lunch.
Great food, lovely atmosphere, service getting there, but overall a nice little country pub.
Written 16 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beverly Ellis R
18 contributions
Apr 2023 • couples
We stayed for one night on our way to Plymouth for a Ferry to Santander. It was a horrible wet ,windy day but that did not detract from the charm of the Royal Oak.
Beautiful setting in the village of Swallowcliffe. The Pub has obviously had extensive renovations. The member of staff who greeted us was very pleasant and helpful. The bar area is very traditional with a great atmosphere, filled with locals and tourists. We had a meal in the Restaurant, the Menu was quite varied and catered quite well for vegetarian/Pescatarian. The food was good and reasonably priced , my husband enjoyed enjoyed the Ales that were available. The Pub is dog friendly, our dog was allowed in the Bar,Restaurant and Bedroom. Our room was large and very comfortable. We had a super king bed, good quality bed linen and towels. The shower was large and had good pressure. A nice selection of teas and coffee and the added touch of milk in a thermos in the fridge in the room, so much better than UHT milk pods.Our sailing was rescheduled during our stay which meant we had to leave the Royal Oak at 4am, which meant no breakfast, we enquired if they could provide us with some food for our onward journey and a member of staff said he would enquire. There was no further mention of food for our journey so we assumed it wasn't possible. When we left at 4am we found a small fridge had been placed outside our room ,with cheese and tomato sandwiches, crisps, apples , chocolate mints and bottled water in it and a charming note wishing us a pleasant onward journey. This was very much appreciated and very thoughtful. All the staff we encountered were very helpful and pleasant. Lovely place to stay full of charm and tradition and a very relaxed laid back atmosphere. Would highly recommend.
Written 13 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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