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Royal Oak, Windsor

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user reviews of the Royal Oak, Windsor

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Decent beer garden, comfortable pub, friendly barman; only one ale on when we visited, St. Austell 'Tribute' a well kept pint.
alehippy - 12 Jan 2018 20:27
Urgent message for all disabled patrons or those with children. The fire exit to the right of the bar is padlocked. Landlord flatly refused to take the lock off, despite the fact we had a young child in a pushchair. When I mentioned it was illegal he said his rules override the law. He stopped serving our party of 16 and asked us to leave. We walked up Castle Hill to the King and Castle. Really friendly staff and excellent ales.
Snakey_Kev - 27 Nov 2016 16:51
You would think that at a tenner a go for a pint and a glass of wine, the management on a hot Sunday Bank Holiday weekend would engage the spare brain cell and make sure there are enough staff on... fifteen minute to wait for drinks, served in a warm glass. All overlooked and encouraged by a bar manager, casually looking on as the bar stacked up in filth. Hardly surprising really, the guy looked short of toilet trained to be honest....
Bluenosemally - 26 May 2013 19:57
Pleasant staff, telly on but thankfully no sound..but over four quid a pint??

nickthefish - 3 Apr 2013 20:58
The Royal Oak pub is right opposite the Windsor&Eton train station (S.W.Rail service) and therefore they do get regular clientele from the station. They do show football and rugby games on 3 screens in here, so if you don't like footy or rugger steer clear on match days. Always a pleasant drinking stop, before going home on the rattler! The barstaff were efficient and polite, even if one did insist on calling everyone "Sweet" (...Hello Sweet, 'ows it going?...) which could actually become quite annoying after once or twice...! (Manager to note please)!
A lovely pub. With now some kind of 'cafe' bar arrangement on the station side, presumably to entice thirsty tourists in for teas or coffees during the day. Whatever floats your boat!
TeeJay - 19 Mar 2013 19:54
Slightly less expensive than the River House by the water nearby, but perhaps not worth the saving, given the views and general ambience there.

The beer was OK but dear, and nothing much else sticks in the mind.
eddybeer - 21 Feb 2013 14:20
Just because a pub is in Windsor does not mean that everyone who will come through the door is a foreign tourist with masses amounts of cash to blow on one pint. It was at least nice to see a local brew on sale which had been kept well. The d�cor tried to look old but it was obvious that it had been done up in the recent past which did lead to a bit of a sterile atmosphere punctuated by the laughs of the hooray Henry�s who populated one whole room. Could have been so much better.
LennyBanter - 29 Apr 2012 11:11
Haven't been into The Royal oak since it became part of The Windsor Pubs group - but we did spend a very pleasant hour or so in their other pub - The River House on Thames Side which is just down from The Royal Oak. Excellent patio area at the front and the bar is done out in the current trend of "modern bistro/cafe bar" style (or whatever you call it). Waiter/ress service which was a tad slow at times but the coffee was good and I had some locally-brewed Windsor & Eton beer which was OK if a little warm. This is a very busy pub in the summer with people swapping tables to get nearer the river or into the sun!! Nice place to sit and enjoy the surroundings.
mcroyal - 4 Sep 2011 14:03
Alright if you are early for a train or late for one and have time to kill, if neither then sterr well clear of the rude and abnoxious bar staff when you can find them. Please and Thank you does not exist here.

Bluenosemally - 19 Apr 2011 13:20
Expensive tourist-oriented pub with unadventurous beer range. Luckily, in Windsor, "unadventurous" includes the very drinkable Windsor and Eton beers, and my pint was in good condition; I did have to ask for a top-up though. I wouldn't make a big effort to return, but on the other hand there are plenty of worse places.
newbury_drinker - 22 Aug 2010 11:46
Handily placed for W&ER station and my first port of call when visiting. A fair pub with admittedly a smashing patio and good looking food. A tad touristy though but 'spose given where it is...
Oakman100 - 10 Aug 2010 22:58
'ROYAL OAK' (Windsor) - right near the train station, Windsor. Yes, useful when you've got a half-hour wait for your next train. Okay beers. Neat &tidy inside. A 'deck' area out the back, and restaurant/conservatory area on the side. Someone lovingly looks after the colourful hanging baskets out the front (which possibly draws those visiting thirsty tourists in!) The final stop on the 'Windsor' crawl...! Teejay
TeeJay - 13 Jul 2009 16:13
A convenient stop for a quick pint if you have 20 mins or so to kill before a train as I did, but that's about it. Large and impersonal with several connected areas. Stone flagged floors, fake beamed ceiling and lots of dark wood do not detract from the general feel of total mediocrity. TV screens were showing the cricket, which amused me slightly as I guess this place exists on reeling in the tourists as they emerge from Riverside Station opposite; I'm sure however the Americans love cricket.
Beers on were 6X, Ringwood Fortyniner, and Marstons Pedigree. �3.30 this far out of town suggests clearly where their market lies. My pint was pulled very short too, had to ask for a top up that blatantly was obviously required.
Maldenman - 12 Jul 2009 18:27
Went to Royal Oak yesterday as a party of 10. All food that was ordered came hot and together, which was a bonus! On many occasions I have been somewhere to eat when the last person gets their meal just as the first person to be served has finished theres. All food was fresh and there was nothing left on the plates so that must speak for itself. Prices were a little above average but this is Windsor and I do think we got value for money. Staff were friendly and quick to clean tables. By the way ladies, the loos were spotless with one of those driers that takes the skin off your fingers!

Fussy57 - 9 Oct 2008 20:29
over priced,warm beer,staff that dont understand basic english,gents toilet needs sorting out i sugest you wear wellies when you go there.
chairboy - 12 Jun 2008 01:53
Avoid like the plague if you are a local (which I am).
Overpriced, bad beer and rude staff. God knows what
tourists must think of Windsor if this is their first
port of call.
WindsorLad - 21 Aug 2007 15:07
Nice 'old fashioned' pub inside, effectively ruined by some large TV screens continually showing the sports channel with sound turned down! Would be OK for the occasional big event - but they were showing a darts competition on the Sunday night we visited! Few people there, but friendly East-European bar staff.Outside there is a seating area next to the pub building but as it's directly onto a main road it's not picturesque or quiet - one to miss, unless you like the smell of petrol fumes!
discerningdan - 30 Jul 2007 20:44
Prices are Obv based at the tourist influx, but a lovely pub with a nice beer patio, just bare in mind gents u may need a canoe to get newhere near the urinal!
fat_beer_badger - 18 Jun 2007 12:16
A pub that started off OK and got worse. Was served a warm glass of white wine. When it was taken back and a replacement requested was told by a member of the bar staff that 'I couldn't return it as they couldn't resell it'. I was also told that there was a problem with the fridge so that was the reason for the wine being warm. Ended up being sent away from the bar with no drink. Money was refunded in the end, but not before an arguement with the bar manager.

Would not recemmend it to anyone!
anonymous - 29 Jan 2007 10:19
�3.10 for a pint of fosters what a rip-off
anonymous - 25 Jan 2007 07:11
Nice enough looking pub, but a total rip off. I was charged �7.95 for a pint of Stella and a small glass of wine at the weekend. Won't be going back.
anonymous - 8 Jan 2007 11:29
Good place to go for the football as they do show all the games but get there early or you're stuffed. Can get smoky when busy but that only until next summer !

Great beer garden, friendly staff and ok menu, will always be an occasional drinker there though.
monti34 - 26 Oct 2006 10:49
Nice to sit outside on a hot day while waiting for a train or the boat to the races. Otherwise a bog standard pub of the sort in which Windsor seems to specialize - not much you can say for it, not much you can say against.
nickdavies - 25 Jul 2006 10:37
Food is overpriced and a poor unimaginative menu makes this a bad choice for a meal considering food available in nearby pubs. Sports are always hard to see as the screen area is easily crowded. Better choice of pubs over the bridge or up the hill.
anonymous - 17 Mar 2006 18:29
Really great pub, went there after visiting Winsor castle and had a wonderful time. Nice atmosphere, friendly service, and it was serving food when most places weren't. Would highly recommend
Nyitalian - 15 Mar 2006 02:30
I would def recommend this pub to visitors of Windsor. The food is great and its an ideal spot for summer, lovely garden, big tables and right next to the castle. I recommend the fajitas! ;-)
kerrya - 6 Mar 2006 14:09
Lively place that looks nice inside and out. Expect a good deal of smoke though.
jaykoivu - 12 Feb 2006 16:30
Warm pub, Well-looked after beers and good service. Had some good evenings there!
Pubjournal - 27 Jan 2006 15:43
Lovely friendly relaxing pub....! this was always a favourite after work watering hole and i loved the food in there.... the only critism i have is that its a tad bit on the expensive side.
JJWinkALot - 2 Jan 2006 14:45
I have been here several times. Initially very good with superb food. However our party of 10 booked for an XMas meal in mid December. No real beer to be had, even no Guinness. Food microwaved.In October I was here trying to persuade a lager drinker to try ale in Windsor and was offered very cloudy 6X. Time for us to try some of the many other pubs in Windsor.
beerboz - 26 Dec 2005 17:36
Nice pub but far too expensive. Looks like an ordinary pub, it's like being in an ordinary pub, but the prices certainly are not ordinary (�12+ for 2 pints and a JD) as Peter Kay says - "you should be wearing a striped jumper and a mask.....". Can get a bit smoky, I know because I was the cause of it.
mad_mullah - 16 Dec 2005 18:36
Expensive tourist trap! The beer wasn't great last time I went. Nice inside though, though they should really get a Japanese rice beer in...
Quinno - 3 Dec 2005 19:35
Royal Oak looks good inside and out. It feels warm and welcoming. Friendly enough staff with well tended beer. Liked the decor and the clientele.
jorrocks - 25 Oct 2005 01:46
Definitely a good sports pub--screens all over (although none of the ones I saw on Saturday was showing the Ashes). Was crowded on my visit--took some time to get served at the bar.
Mr.Matt - 29 Aug 2005 01:40
Agree with the comment below; great pub for watching sport especially when rugby is on.
TonyAle - 27 Dec 2004 11:07
Great pub, wicked beer garden for the summer, excellent for a quick drink after a long train ride (20 steps from Riverside station)
anonymous - 6 Dec 2004 11:39
This is one of the better pubs in Windsor, the food is good and they still have the open fire in the winter. Whenever theres a big match on the TV the atmosphere is good particularly with Rugby internationals.
Also has a "garden" over looked by the castle.
khumphrey - 22 Nov 2004 13:38

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