Royal Oak - Basingstoke and Deane

Went for mile walk round Ecchinswell and Sydmonton. The Royal Oak welcomed us parking at the pub before our walk. After a lovely walk we had a meal. My wife had a veggie option and I had the herb crusted cod. Both very nice. Service good and all friendly. Nice pub nothing to criticise.

We called at the Royal Oak on the drive home from the New Forest to Bedford. We were warmly welcomed and seated almost immediately. The food was adequate. I had the beer battered haddock with skin on fries my partner had pork fillet and cheek with chard and mash. The fish was well cooked not overcooked as is so often the case. My partners pork fillet was slightly chewy but the cheek was tender. It could have benefitted from a bit more gravy. The service was great.

Delicious meals highly recommend the pork and steak. Lovely staff and atmosphere. Incredible choc fudge cake for dessert.

Great pub, we stopped here as it was the mid point on our Watership Down 10 mile walk (Fancy Free Walks). The landlady was extremely welcoming and friendly when we arrived some 50 minutes before our booked table. It was Bank Holiday Monday and quite quiet. We sat in the garden with a couple of pints and a jug of pins, all very nice. We chose Fish and Chips, Burger with Cheese and a Cesar Salad, all of which was a delight, generous portions and well presented. There was satisfaction all round. The homemade puddings, Chocolate Torte, Ice Cream and Afogata with Bailey's were all good. We set off on the second half of our walk well fed and looked after. We would recommend the pub as an essential stopping point. The only reason I gave 4 stars for atmosphere was on account of it not being busy at the time we visited. Highly recommended.

We stopped here for lunch on May Bank Holiday Monday, what a lunch. We had great service and the food was delicious. The menu is short and that is a good thing. We had Burger, Fish Chips and a Cesar Salad, all were a good sized portion and delicious. Would highly recommend a visit.