Another great new article from thebestof Cheltenham's Local and Vocal Magazine...
The Oak folk
Pewter tankards dangling from the ceiling, stone flagged floors, low wooden beams, an open fireplace and the odd remnant of a cooper’s trade. We visit the Royal Oak, near Winchcombe, in search of the great English country pub.
Sunlight shines through the window illuming a photograph on the wall. In it, two rows of shining Bugatti classic sports cars are parked outside the Royal Oak pub circa 1930’s. A group of onlookers are admiring the cars and seem to be holding an impromptu ‘who’s got the silliest hat’ competition. There have been a few changes but this fabulous old Cotswold pub is as much part of the landscape today as when the picture was first taken.
The building is divided into two distinct parts and still has that warm intimacy that is characteristic of older inns, but the addition of a conservatory at the rear gives the place an extra dimension. Huge semi-panoramic windows absorb sunlight and allow diners to take in the spectacular views across the beautiful Vale of Evesham.
Picture the scene as the sun sets on a summer evening: you are about to tuck into one of landlord Myles Ball’s award winning Steak and Stilton pies, you glance admiringly at the view and see a GWR locomotive chugging across the foreground, framing the scene in cotton wool puffs of steam. You want to start using words like ‘smashing’ and ‘crickey’ but prudence gets the better of you. Instead you share the moment with a pint of real-ale, this being the only CAMRA pub in this area who’s beer is worthy of an entry in the 2010 Good Pub Guide.
Myles and his two brothers have been here for the last 12 years and offer the Oak customers the warmest welcome imaginable. They serve an eclectic mix of English traditional fare along-side Mediterranean dishes like Monkfish with King Prawns and Beef Bourguinon. Not wanting to go off on one about these pies, but they are proper pies with fillings like Steak & Kidney, Game, or Lamb & Mint, and have pastry on the sides, on the bottom, and covering the top. Everything is served with heaps of vegetables and the ingredients are locally sourced. Oh…and did I mention the pies?
Myles hosts events like Seafood and Jazz evenings and a regular Wednesday open mike session where all sorts from farmers to surgeons can render a song in return for a free pint. Who said the age of barter was over? Another feature of the Wednesday night jollies is a resident clairvoyant, who reads Tarot cards for a small fee. She claims to hold regular discourses with the pub ghost, the purported spirit of a woman believed once to have lived in the building. Alas, Madame Araminta - which I believe is Latin for ‘delusional’ - doesn’t elaborate on whether they just have the odd quick inter-dimensional chin-wag or if the ghost pops over from the dark side for coffee and an iced bun. However it happens, the evenings are a lot of fun and have a great atmosphere.
Word of mouth recommendations have to be the best advert and the folk at the Oak are doing something right to make this family friendly pub one of the busiest places in the area.
