The Royal Oak ... near Rusper
Telephone 01293 871393 · Map · Reviews
OS Map : Landranger 187 · Map reference TQ 185 369
Description
The Royal Oak is a white-walled pub that is situated on a quiet, country lane [Friday Street] surrounded by greenery - opposite a house with a large iron gate - somewhere near Rusper. It is not in Rusper itself but between the village and the A24. It is worth seeking out.... this a great pub for real ale!
There are seven real ale hand pumps, always one mild and one Surrey Hills Ranmore Ale, with the others changing from cask to cask. Additionally, there are three ciders and two perrys on hand pump but no lager. Apart from weekday lunchtimes food is by booking only. In the summer, sit on creaky wooden benches outside under the trees....and chill out. Another review of the Royal Oak.
NEWS February 2010: The Royal Oak was runner-up (for the second year in a row) in CAMRA’s Pub of the Year Competition! More details on the CAMRA website.
Pub picture: Sara Blunden
How to get there
By car
Rusper is approximately 5-6 miles north of Horsham. It's not on a main road but you can get there on country lanes from the Capel A24 roundabout.
Cycling
Cycle north on Pondtail Road and then turn left at Pondtail Drive. Follow the road round to the right until it reaches the A264 bypass. Cross the bypass using the pedestrian crossing [be very careful crossing this busy road] and then join Langhurstwood Road.
Continue north, climbing slowly, past the brickworks and then Broadlands business park on the left. Ignore the small turning on the right, which is signposted Rusper, and continue on the same road which becomes Friday Street. The pub is on the right and is 2.5 miles [4 km] from the bypass.
Suggested cycling routes from here
Turn right out of the pub and cycle uphill to the next junction. Turn right again and cycle to Rusper village - try the Plough, or the Star Inn, for wooden beams and good beer.
Continue through Rusper village and cycle back to Horsham - turn right just before the Star Inn - down Hurst Hill - it's a very fast downhill....back to the A264 bypass further along from where you crossed originally. The round trip from the bypass is approx 9 miles [14 km].
.....or visit the Frog and Nightgown near Faygate on the way back.
Other pubs near here
The Wise Old Owl in Kingsfold is close. You'll need to travel on the A24 to get there [busy for cyclists].
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Older reviews
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The best pub ever! Want a good night with great locals? Then this is the place. Thanks to Sara and Clive.
In fact, we do have a beautiful garden a few yards away from the pub. There are several pictures of the garden on the Royal Oak website.
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I went to this pub for lunch today. There were no specials which was a pity. We asked for a baguette since they advertise fresh bread made daily. No baguettes either so we drank up and moved on. The garden is poor to non-existent and we sat on a bench just off the road. We won't visit again.
I am very sorry that Susie was disappointed on Saturday. The pub is expensive for us and we cannot always afford to put on extra staff on the off-chance that someone should want to come in and eat. That said, if anyone wants to ring and let us know they are intending to eat, I am very happy to make sure the bar is covered so that I can cook for them.This applies to mid-week evenings as well. Like every other pub in the country, we were finding it hard before the latest increases in duty and staff is the first thing to cut back on. I do hope that people understand and can bear with us until times improve!
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This is without doubt the best pub in West Sussex. Real ales fantastic, staff lovely. I just wish I could get here more often. Well done Clive and Sara - keep up the fantastic service.
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A word of warning. Having looked forward to our "local grub in the traditional style" for a Saturday pub lunch, all we could get was a limited choice of ready prepared rolls that were sitting on the bar. Apparently, they don't do meals on Saturday lunchtimes.
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By far and away the best pub I have come across in a long time. Found this place through the Internet as we like to try different real ale establishments and thought I would give it a whirl. First visit, was met my a lovely smile and a big hello from landlord Clive, and all the locals were friendly. Have been back several times and have never had a bad evening, quite the opposite in fact. The selection of beers is ever changing and always good, the food is down to earth and very well priced, the quality is second to none and the atmosphere is warm, welcoming and fun. If you want a big selection of food, go elsewhere. If you want good quality local grub in the traditional style, it's spot on. Keep up the great work Sara, Clive and everyone else who makes this pub certainly my favourite in Sussex, the 25 minute drive is so worth it for us!
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Hats off to Sara, Clive, Jo and Emma. A fantastic pub, they're passionate about well kept and well made ales. Lovely to see you on pirates night. Get well soon Sara.
Pub score - No Good · - Excellent
