"Having just spent an evening at The Royal Oak tonight; I just wanted to pass on my thanks and feedback. The food, drink and staff are totally faultless. It is a pub which truly brings the gastronomy back into British food. The tastes were clean, unadulterated and wholesome. In my humble opinion it sets the standard for outstanding fayre and atmosphere. Simply excellent!
I do hope that Bishoptone recognises it’s jewel in the crown – it won’t be the last time I visit!
Cheers"DH
Should we just stick to organic farming? Well, our growing band of customers at The Royal Oak thinks not. They are coming to appreciate our artisan, organic, foraged and sometimes agricultural food-and agricultural is a term of endearment, not crudeness.
In the winter, they love the roaring fire and sofas. In the summer, our leafy private garden and informal front terrace are great places to drink beer, enjoy their Pimms and other long drinks and listen to the occasional peal of the church bells; they bring their dogs and their children, and all seem to rub along very happily. (Sounds a bit like John Major’s evocation of the English idyll…)
IDYLLIC SETTING
The Royal Oak sits down a single track lane in the middle of Bishopstone, a beautiful village within the Wiltshire Downs. The pub is half a mile north of The Ridgeway, great walking country, surrounded by the farmland of Eastbrook Farm, run organically by Helen Browning since 1986. The pub was added to the farm business in late 2006, and works as a showcase for all that’s best from this farm and other local producers.
DAILY SEASONAL MENU
Our chefs Liz Franklin and Avine work along simple lines-what’s best today from the farm, our gardens, our small allotment. Depending on the time of year, you might also find crayfish from the Thames, served with Bishopstone watercress; our own smoked baked potatoes or home cured bacon, from home grown organic pigs; beef from the farm that’s been matured for up to 100 days; asparagus from Lotmead just down the road; gooseberries and redcurrants from our garden; fish all the time from day boats out of Newlyn. Our menus, lunch and supper, change everyday according to what’s available and what’s best.
We could give you 100 other reasons to spend time at The Royal Oak, but here are just 14:
‘It’s after visiting The Royal Oak, where Eastbrook Farm produce is served, that I decided to break my vegan diet. I just can’t believe the difference in taste.’ Red Magazine, November 2007
We can take you home—and bring you here if you wish. Our big red Land Rover seats 10 and we use it as a taxi service for large groups
We also do superb vegetarian food-none of your standard, dull pasta and cheese bakes
Crab apples, blackberries, even nettles all foraged and used in the kitchen as the seasons allow
Do it yourself barbecues in our garden—we light the fire, you choose your meat, we bring the salads and clear up after you. You do the cooking
‘all in all, quite a find’-the Lambourn Village newsletter who sent Bon Viveur to check us out after they heard three ‘enthusiastic reports’ in the space of a week in February 2008
A farm shop. Open every day for Eastbrook eggs, milk, fresh organic bread, frozen meat (sometimes fresh); and lots of everyday basics, but good ones
We provide farm maps, and regular guided walks to meet the pigs and check out the orchids
A comfortable bed. Our bed and breakfast is not The Dorchester, but the service is more personal and the breakfast worth getting up for
Summer cocktails, winter warmers, a big sofa, newspapers, some erudite magazines and books, great open fires, proper coffee
Summer picnic hampers-you order, we provide, you find somewhere, with our help, on the farm to enjoy it
Fantastic Sunday lunches, Eastbrook ribs of beef and legs of pork, done stunningly
Two lovely double rooms with additional single in one
Crisp Egyptian cotton bedding, ensuite shower, basin and WC; Flat screen TV
Not The Dorchester but good value at £30 per person (accommodation only)
DIY breakfast £7.50 per person - tea, coffee, bread, butter, juice, milk & toaster.
For a more substantial breakfast in the pub please add a charge of £12.50 per head.
Stay for supper at The Royal Oak and the accommodation rate per person will reduce by £10 per head.
Monday-Saturday
midday to 3pm
(food 12 - 2.30pm)
and 6pm - 11pm
(food 6.30 - 9.30pm)
Sunday
midday to 10.30pm
(food 12.30 -3.30pm; 6-9pm)
How to find us
Bishopstone is about 8 miles east of Swindon, 10 miles west of Wantage. In the village is a large duckpond. If the pond is on the right, the next lane on the left is Cues Lane. The Royal Oak is 50 yards down there on the right. The car park is beyond it and round the back.
The Royal Oak
Cues Lane
Bishopstone
Nr Swindon
SN6 8PP
01793 790481
royaloak@
helenbrowningorganics
.co.uk
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