Royal Oak

Pub Details

Address
Frieth Road
Bovingdon Green
Buckinghamshire
SL7 2JF
Telephone
(01628) 488611
Opening Times
Weekdays
11 - 11
Sundays
12 - 10.30
Closed
25th and 26th Dec

Location

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Licensee information

Licensee name
James Penlington
What they say
Sprawling gardens, a petanque piste, fragrant kitchen herbs and a sunny terrace set the scene for our little whitewashed pub.

Inside is at once both spacious and cosy. You’ll find a snug with wood burning stove, a rosy red dining room and glowing dark floorboards. Rich fabrics and heritage colours create a warm background for our friendly, bubbly and professional staff.

Our imaginative British food is consistently a big draw. We use fresh, seasonal and local produce, wherever possible and strongly believe in good food ethics. That might sound a little serious, but we’re really a very relaxed and informal bunch and happy to rustle you up a snack at the bar or offer some serious gastronomy.

So if you’re looking for grown-up time to yourselves, the chance to loose your kids in our garden or sustenance after a long walk with the dog, a warm welcome awaits.
Salisbury Pubs

What have they got?

Beers and drinks the Licensee currently sells

Brakspears
Oxfordshire

Buckinghamshire

REBELLION IPA & SMUGGLER




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Good Pub Guide Recommended

Civilised dining pub with nice little bar, excellent choice of wines by the glass, real ales, good service, and excellent food
This is a smashing all-rounder and much enjoyed by our readers. Of course, much emphasis is placed on the delicious food but the friendly and helpful staff will make you just as welcome if you only want a drink and they do keep Rebellion IPA, Mutiny and Smuggler on handpump, 21 wines by the glass (all from Europe), nine pudding wines and a good choice of liqueurs. Locals tend to head for the low-beamed cosy snug, closest to the car park, which has three small tables, a woodburning stove in an exposed brick fireplace, and a big pile of logs. Several attractively decorated areas open off the central bar: the half-panelled walls variously painted in pale blue, green or cream (though the dining room ones are red). Throughout, there's a mix of church chairs, stripped wooden tables and chunky wall seats, with rugs on the partly wooden, partly flagstoned floors, co-ordinated cushions and curtains, and a very bright, airy feel; thoughtful extra touches enhance the tone: a bowl of olives on the bar, carefully laid-out newspapers and fresh flowers or candles on the tables. Board games and piped music. A terrace with good solid tables leads to an appealing garden, and there's a smaller side garden; pétanque. Civilised dining pub with nice little bar, excellent choice of wines by the glass, real ales, good service and excellent food.

Good Pub Guide Food

Beautifully presented and imaginative, the food includes lunchtime sandwiches, much-liked bubble and squeak with smoked bacon, free-range poached egg and hollandaise, oak-smoked salmon, soused shallot and potato salad and caviar and dill dressing, rabbit, pearl barley and mustard pie with carrot hash, filo-baked sweet potato, celeriac and double gloucester dauphinoise with dandelion and fennel salad and roast, and braised baby chicken with chorizo and vegetable minestrone.

Bar food times: 12 - 2.30 (3 Sat, 4 Sun) , 6.30 - 9.30 (10 Fri, Sat)

Awards

Good Pub Information

Dogs allowed in: Dogs Bar

Rating

  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
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Rating: 3/5 (470 votes cast)

Reader Comments

Stopped at this pub for a lunch stop while out on a long walk on Sunday. The beer was good, staff friendly and a good atmostphere. We didn't need a full meal so just wanted a 'small plate'. The menu was imaginative - I had rosti with salt beef and poached egg. For just under £7 it was a very small portion. My partner had soup (£4.50) which was fine but it was only a very small piece of bread.

Overall I thought this was a bit pricey considering this is not a full restaurant service. The meal is delivered to the table but you have to queue to order and pay at the bar. I may have got better value with a main course which ranged from about £12- £17.

Visited this pub in mid-March 2009. Very much as described in the guide (except Hobgoblin on hand-pump instead of Fullers - the other two real ales were the same). Tasna and her team delvier excellent service, in a natural way, without appearing to have to try too hard, which gives the pub a relaxed feel for the high standard of service. Food is excellent. Wine list is imaginative, good quality and good value. I also took a large work group to the pub before Christmas, and, again, the experience was memorable. Highly recommended.

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