"Had the Cotswolds ever seemed so effortlessly cool? Not in my book. After a remarkably tasty dinner in Ramsden, I gasped up a vertiginous staircase to my retro-chic pub bedroom that was filled with delights – from cornflower-blue throws to a gorgeously rustic rug and a complimentary carafe of port. " - some lovely words about The Royal Oak by Harriet O'Brien for The Telegraph.

Our Ukrainian Fundraiser was a great success, the atmosphere was buzzing, the unwavering community spirit was felt throughout the pub. We managed to raise, £2000 to DEC Red Cross Ukrainian Aid, £2000 to British Ukrainian Aid & £1493 to AUGB (Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain) & Hook Norton’s RESIST! Beer went on to raise a further £64.83 which was sent to DEC Red Cross at their request. Thank you to everyone that contributed, to our amazing customers that came along, to our local suppliers for all their incredible donations, to Jack FM & BBC Oxford for getting the word out & to the Royal Oak team for making it happen.

Spring is here (just about) and we have some exciting events ahead to tell you about!

We have a ton of exciting events, bar talkers and supper clubbers coming your way this year.

Let us kick off with what is on next!

We loved having the wonderful Fay Maschler for lunch at the pub and were thrilled to see her very kind write up in her weekly Tatler column ‘What landed on my plate this week’.

We're thrilled to be launching a series of talks by 'Very Interesting People' at The Royal Oak. For our first BAR TALK, we are extremely excited to be welcoming renowned Scottish artist Charles Avery on Wednesday 6th October (arrival at 6.30 pm for a 7 pm start) who will be in conversation with co-publican / artist / art-fan Amy.

When we first took over the pub two years ago, one of our dreams was to become the kind of place that Sawday’s would write about in their ’Special Places to Stay’. Last May, we got a visit from an unassuming, very polite couple who asked a huge amount of questions and asked to see all the rooms. As they left, they told us they were Sawday’s inspectors… This week, were over the moon to see them feature The Royal Oak and to read their wonderful write up!

WE ARE 1! This week marks one year since the re-furbished Royal Oak has been open (give and take a couple of lockdowns) and Monday 19th July* we’ll be christening our bar for the first time…

This Sunday 13th June (2pm - 5pm) it’s Ramsden Open Gardens Day. The village will be a-buzz with a book stall, a plant stall, tea & cakes and of course some wonderful gardens open to all. (£5 on entry, all proceeds will go to the Church and Memorial Hall fund). Why not drop by the pub for a pint, a Sunday roast or a special Royal Oak Open Garden Cocktail for good measure!

We loved seeing the Royal Oak (and Ramsden village!) in our lovely regular Laura Bailey’s article ’Testament of Youth - A Fashion Special’ for the Financial Times this week.

In the run-up to our full opening on Monday, this weekend we'll be open outside on Fri & Sat come rain or shine, for drinks AND a pub menu (burgers, fish & chips, vegan and veggie options, puddings), so come and help us warm up!

We are open for drinks this Friday from 5pm! The weather is looking good, so we're opening for outdoor drinks and snacks from 5 pm to 8pm-ish this Friday 7th May - come and join us!