The Royal Oak Bar, Winchester
The Royal Oak proudly lays claim to the title of "the oldest bar in England," a distinction that stirs curiosity and beckons visitors to step into its storied ambiance. Owing to its ancient cellar dating back to 1002 and its history as Queen Emma's residence, the Royal Oak presents a charming glimpse into the past. While the exact moment it transitioned into a pub remains a matter of debate, records show it operating as a 'brewhouse' by 1637 and acquiring the name Royal Oak by 1677.
Tucked away in a narrow alley off the bustling High Street, the main entrance welcomes patrons to a cosy interior adorned with ample oak paneling, featuring a sizable bar offering local ales. Side rooms at each end of the main seating area, accessible via steps, lead to the original cellar—one of the pub's distinctive elements. For those desiring an al fresco experience, additional seating awaits on a quaint patio.
The atmosphere within The Royal Oak reflects a balance between the past and the present. A relatively modern menu, complete with the convenience of app-based ordering, brings a contemporary touch to this age-old establishment. Catering to diverse dietary preferences, the pub offers a gluten-free menu along with vegan and vegetarian options, ensuring a culinary experience that accommodates various tastes.
Tucked away in a narrow alley off the bustling High Street, the main entrance welcomes patrons to a cosy interior adorned with ample oak paneling, featuring a sizable bar offering local ales. Side rooms at each end of the main seating area, accessible via steps, lead to the original cellar—one of the pub's distinctive elements. For those desiring an al fresco experience, additional seating awaits on a quaint patio.
The atmosphere within The Royal Oak reflects a balance between the past and the present. A relatively modern menu, complete with the convenience of app-based ordering, brings a contemporary touch to this age-old establishment. Catering to diverse dietary preferences, the pub offers a gluten-free menu along with vegan and vegetarian options, ensuring a culinary experience that accommodates various tastes.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Winchester. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
The Royal Oak Bar on Map
Sight Name: The Royal Oak Bar
Sight Location: Winchester, England (See walking tours in Winchester)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Winchester, England (See walking tours in Winchester)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Winchester, England
Create Your Own Walk in Winchester
Creating your own self-guided walk in Winchester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Winchester's Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Are you an explorer at heart and with a keen interest in history? If you answer yes to both of these and happen to be in Winchester, Hampshire, then you've hit the right spot! There are several historical locations in town, including time-honored buildings, monuments, and palaces, through which you can learn much about its glorious past.
The abundance of such sites makes a walk around... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
The abundance of such sites makes a walk around... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Winchester Introduction Walking Tour
Winchester, the county town of Hampshire, England, is a charming place with a great deal of history.
The name, Winchester, is traced back to its Old English origins, derived from "Wintan-ceaster" which means "Fort Venta". The city itself emerged in Roman times when it was known as Venta Belgarum, in which Venta was a common Celtic word for a "tribal town" or... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The name, Winchester, is traced back to its Old English origins, derived from "Wintan-ceaster" which means "Fort Venta". The city itself emerged in Roman times when it was known as Venta Belgarum, in which Venta was a common Celtic word for a "tribal town" or... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Winchester Cathedral Close Walk
Winchester Cathedral, originally built in 1079, is the longest Gothic cathedral in Europe. It contains much fine architecture spanning the 11th to the 16th centuries and is the place of interment of numerous Bishops of Winchester (such as William of Wykeham), Anglo-Saxon monarchs (such as Egbert of Wessex), and later monarchs such as King Canute and William Rufus. It was once an important... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles