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Hours
Sun
11:00 - 20:00
Mon
11:00 - 22:00
Tue
11:00 - 22:00
Wed
11:00 - 22:00
Thu
11:00 - 22:00
Fri
11:00 - 23:00
Sat
11:00 - 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
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, British, Pub, Grill, Gastropub, Gluten free options
Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, Bar Scene
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
About
Royal Oak, North Gorley offers a Pub & Dinning experience along with a warm and friendly welcome, delicious high-quality food with a twist, locally sourced seasonal produce, local cask ales, an array of fine wines, great selection of gins and a beautiful beer garden sat in the lovely surroundings of the New Forest awaits you! Booking is highly recommended, especially in peak season - at busy times we may put a ‘stop’ on walk-ins and there may be a wait as all food is made to order. Well behaved four-legged friends on leads are welcome in the bar and outside areas.
PRICE RANGE
£7.00 – £30.00
CUISINES
British, Grill, Pub, Gastropub
Special Diets
Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Dog Friendly, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
684 reviews
Excellent
419
Very good
144
Average
51
Poor
34
Terrible
36
Max King
13 contributions
Jan 2025 • friends
Visited for Sunday lunch, table booked for 12pm for 2. The atmosphere, aesthetic, and waiting staff were incredible. Beautiful pub, parking outside was somewhat limited as the day went on, but easy for a 12pm booking. Wouldn't want to tackle some of the roads in excessive rain, but minor puddles didn't cause too much of an issue!
Dog friendly, which for me personally is a nice touch. Waiting staff and welcome was everything you should expect and then some, and you're greeted with a warm, friendly atmosphere.
We sat right next to a window on a table for two, and the restaraunt was stunning. Exactly what I wanted for that sort of area.
The Roast itself was the best Roast I've had on my travels so far. I was cheeky enough to ask for something that was on their online menu and not on their in house menu, and after a quick word with the kitchen they came back and said it would be no problem. The meat was exceptional, and it's still to this day the only place where I haven't needed to ask for more Gravy half way through. However, the biggest compliment I could give this place, was after my first mouthful of Roast potato, I was transformed back to my childhood and reminded of the way my Grandma used to cook Roast dinners. It was unexpected and slightly emotional to be honest, but they were incredible.
I then had a desert although I have no idea how I managed it as the Roast was filling as it was tasty, and the sorbet arrived in a sundae desert glass. Only thing as general feedback was that it was challenging to eat without making a mess due to the limited room in the glass, but again hit just the right spot. My friend had the crumble which was HUGE, and well worth the money.
All in all £40 each, for two coffees, massive, perfectly cooked roast dinner, and two desserts. Very reasonable.
I would just keep an eye on the "tap water" as charged 2x£4 for bottle water, but after the exceptional meal we just paid with tip.
This is without a doubt the best Roast dinner I've tasted in years since my grandma passed away and I will most definitely be visiting again.
Beautiful pub, fantastic staff, exceptional food. All round perfection. 5 star.
Written 12 January 2025
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.
Vix_Reviews
Landford36 contributions
Mar 2024 • family
We visited the Royal Oak on Mother’s Day and the whole experience was great. Despite being busy the staff were friendly and attentive. The wait time was short for food. We ordered Sunday roasts which were very tasty, good portion size and variety of veg. Definitely will be returning. The location is also beautiful in the forest with animals grazing outside.
(Good for gluten free - I am coeliac and the roast / main and dessert options were good)
Written 12 March 2024
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.
Royal Oak
Thank you for a lovely review, we are glad you were able to enjoy your special day with us - we had a fully booked day. We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Written 12 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
FCR8
Nha Trang105 contributions
May 2024 • friends
A really lovely looking pub (inside and out!) and in a beautiful location. The staff are very friendly and efficient and the service is excellent.
They say they are dog friendly and they really are.. offering water bowls and treats and with a little dog poo bin set up outside as well! We had a couple of dogs with us and they made us feel very relaxed.
Overall the comments on the food were positive, I had the burger which was generous and nicely presented if a little overdone and salty, however the overall atmosphere and environment made up for it. A really pleasant evening.
Written 23 May 2024
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.
Angus S
8 contributions
Jun 2023 • couples
One of the worst meals we have had in the New Forest for several years. My wife and I both had differing burgers which were served on a wooden platter that was so small that it was not possible to eat food without bits falling onto the table. My plate arrived and whilst putting on table server dislodged several chips onto the floor and table, no apology. To make things worse when I went to grind salt onto my meal the top was loose on the salt pot and the whole cellar fell onto my food. Server was stood watching and never offered any apology or to replace my food. When I said that food was spoilt by salt I was told that a previous customer must have loosened the lid. We eat once a week normally somewhere in the forest but will certainly not be eating here again.
Written 30 June 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.
Angus50
Ringwood84 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
We went here to have a pre Xmas dinner. Booked a table and it was well organised. The staff were excellent and very attentive, especially the young lady who said she hadn’t been there long. No question on the service. However, we went for the Christmas menu and we were disappointed. I had the turkey, which came with two potatoes, two slithers of carrot and two slices of what looked like canned meat. The turkey was perfectly round, so looked like something pre packed. The whole dish was disappointing. My partner had the Rissotto, which was bland to say the least, and quite frankly at £25.95 was well over priced for what it was. To be fair the desserts were excellent, drinks were fine, including the mulled wine. However, the overall cost was the killer. Main and dessert @£33 per head for what was served was not good value. It’s a shame as the place is lovely and the staff were excellent FOH, but the main course were a let down.
Written 28 December 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.
Sharon S
Christchurch162 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
Visited on a cold mid week winters evening but received a very warm welcome with even the dog receiving treats. We opted for the mid week special of 2 burgers for £30. I am not usually a burger person but these were just fabulous. 6oz burger plus pulled pork, blue cheese and gherkins, sweet potato fries, the best onion rings and creamy coleslaw beautifully presented on a wooden board. The only issue was I couldn't eat it all so took home a rather large doggy bag! They also had a special on the wine so had an excellent meal and drinks for under £50. The staff were very friendly, the ambiance was relaxed with great music and decor, dog friendly and great food. Cannot fault. And nice to revisit somewhere we had gone on our first date almost 43 years ago!
Written 11 February 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.
11JAN51
Bristol69 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
Whilst the restaurant was beautifully decorated the atmosphere was dreadful due to the arrogance of the person who we assume was the manager. He was rude when we arrived and continued to be aloof throughout. I ordered beetroot and butternut squash wellington which arrived without any beetroot! It was basically pastry filled with stuffing. I enquired whilst at the table as to why there was no beetroot, the waitress, who was very pleasant said she would find out. I saw her talking to the manager but she didn’t return to our table with an answer. When paying the bill I asked if I had just been unlucky by not having any beetroot and was told that it was a misprint on the menu!!! The man, who I assumed was the manager, was in ear shot and just turned his back on me. There was no apology. On leaving the manager again ignored us, not what you would expect from a reasonable establishment. I will not be visiting this place again until there is a change of management.
Written 23 August 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.
AL_reviewer_2014
Weymouth190 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
We sat in the garden at the back and could not believe how beautiful it was. We had two starters – a pea and mint tartlet (tasty, but odd as it is essentially a spoonful of peas in a pastry casing) and caramelised plums with feta on sourdough (delicious and I would happily have it again). Our mains were a Naughty burger (very big and tasty) and a pastrami open sandwich (pretty ordinary and definitely not worth the money). Everything is beautifully presented, e.g. pea shoots on top or deep fried capers (unfortunately, I don’t think they’d been rinsed as they were way too salty). The beers were good. Very friendly staff. I would happily come back.
Written 15 October 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.
Lucy I
Radstock21 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
We visited this pub today whilst staying in the area. The booking was last minute but we had the opportunity to celebrate my husband’s birthday with a quiet evening out, so booked a table.
We were seated at a cosy corner table near to a little log burner. The pub itself is really cosy and warm and also very clean. We ordered a burger (see pic) and lamb shank (I tucked in before I remembered to take a pic!). Both meals were really good, very tasty and well made. We didn’t have a pudding but finished with a coffee, which came with a tasty little shortbread biscuit.
Everyone at the pub was really welcoming and they kindly placed a ‘happy birthday’ banner at our table, after I mentioned on the booking that it was my husband’s birthday, which was a lovely touch, particularly as it was a last minute booking. Highly recommended and we would definitely visit next time we are in the area, it’s a shame this place isn’t closer to home as we would love to have somewhere similar as our local! We had a lovely evening, thank you.
Written 22 November 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.
Joe K
4 contributions
Apr 2022 • couples
Visited this pub on Easter Sunday, was really looking forward to a good roast dinner and were thoroughly disappointed. The guy behind the bar was friendly when we arrived and offered us the choice of sitting inside or outside. For starters we had the asparagus and a baked camembert platter for 2 to share. I know asparagus is expensive but £12 for four asparagus spears with what looked like vile melted American cheese on the plate seems overpriced to me. We enjoyed the camembert platter.
Then came the Roast chicken, which turned up without any vegetables and the woman said they would be out shortly. The vegetables arrived and they were overcooked with no flavour whatsoever. The cauliflower cheese looked the part but couldn't taste any cheese. There were two tiny stuffing balls, ironic really as no chance of getting stuffed on them.
No one asked us if we enjoyed the meal and we had to wait 40 minutes for the bill. We didn't stay for dessert as didn't want more overpriced disappointment.
Won't be visiting for food again..
Written 20 April 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.
Elizabeth P
Cheshunt91 contributions
Sept 2023 • couples
Found this pub by accident while visiting the area.
We stayed for a late Sunday lunch before travelling home.
We both had roast beef which was cooked perfectly and accompanied with a massive Yorkshire pudding ! Roasties and veg were cook perfectly too.
Staff were very friendly and helpful.
Would definitely go back when in the area again
Written 22 September 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.
Lloyd Cowling
Bristol3 contributions
Aug 2021 • family
This pub is set in a beautiful location and could be a 5 star restaurant. The fish n chips and broccoli soup were both ok but unfortunately the vegetarian roast, which consisted of only vegetables arrived with undercooked roast potatoes. A replacement was given but after trying a mouthful I realised these tasted different and were in fact duck fat roast potatoes. Then I discovered the other vegetables were also hard so refused to accept the meal. As a vegetarian for 15 years I feel disappointed by this service… not very happy I ate animal fat! The young waitress was very apologetic but overall not a great experience so only 2 stars.
Written 29 August 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.
mazstar03
Royal Tunbridge Wells53 contributions
Dec 2022 • couples
Maybe I should have had the foresight to realise that at lunchtime on New Years Eve the focus would be on the evening but SO many things were not available from the menu it was embarrassing for the poor waitress who did her best and was very good (the older lady).
Even after we ordered from the things that WERE on the menu, she had to come back and tell us we the last burger was gone and the fries of choice weren’t available either.
So disappointed with this long awaited, but pricey lunch.
Written 31 December 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.
Zee
Hampshire13 contributions
Aug 2021 • solo
We visited this pub for a family meal. Initial impressions were good. It has an upmarket country pub ambiance. My husband and I ordered the lamb rump with ‘red potatoes’, but were very disappointed to find that the red potatoes were in fact, undercooked, watery flavourless beetroot!
Very off putting and rendered the meal unsatisfying. The lamb and mustard jus however, were delicious.
My daughter had macaroni cheese. Very underwhelming, bland watery sauce and no additional cheese on top. So not macaroni cheese…
My other daughter had breaded chicken salad and it was as described.
The server came to ask how our meals were, when I queried what the ‘red potatoes’ actually were and explained I didn’t like it, she just laughed at me and walked away. When she came to clear the table I explained that it should be made clear that it was not potato and actually beetroot, she said she would mention it to the chef and nothing else was said about the matter. Very unprofessional and clearly didn’t care that we hadn’t enjoyed the meal and were unsatisfied. We ordered dessert as we were still hungry, the crumble with creme anglais was delicious, but quite a small serving for £7.95!
Overall we were not impressed, but I imagine had we ordered something different it could have been a better experience.
What was most disappointing was the couldn’t care a less attitude. We did notice that the table next to us returned their starters, so perhaps just an off day?!
Written 21 August 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.
Royal Oak Gorley
Thank you for taking your time to write a review.
Very unsure why you think the potato was 'flavourless beetroot' when in fact it generally was potato. We've only had good comments about the lamb dish.
As for your comments regarding the 'macaroni cheese' it is in fact a Creamy Cheesy Pasta - no mention of macaroni cheese.
Sorry we did not meet your expectations on this occasion.
Written 25 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris Macey
Eastbourne3 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
Main menu was average, about 10% up on the norm! Food was excellent, service very slow. We asked for a bottle of Dry Rose wine, when I came to pay the bill the bottle was £32!!, for an average wine, retail price on the high street is £12!! A bit of a mark up!!
Written 20 October 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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