The Royal Oak, Winsford, Exmoor, Somerset

The Royal Oak at Winsford dates back to the 12th century which makes it the oldest of all the Royal Oaks on Exmoor – and there are quite a few of them. It was once a farmhouse in this peaceful village,but these days it serves the local community and visitors well as a traditional country inn. Outside a low thatched roof hangs heavy over small arched windows and inviting porches, inside is unpretentious with a wood-burner to keep the customers nice and warm on colder days.

The menu changes with the seasons, and the landlords’ ethos is that if they can make anything themselves, they will, so it’s fair to say that you can expect good homemade food if you pop by for dinner. The sample menu lists some very tempting dishes – Exmoor venison haunch with port red wine sauce, Slow cooked belly Pork from rare breed Middle White with mustard sauce, Exmoor lamb steak with minted gravy jus, and Pappardelle pasta with tomato and sweet pepper sauce served with garlic bread. Good all round, the service, the ambience included, just the kind of place you could hunker down of an autumn or winter day when the thick wet’s come down on Exmoor.

T: 01643 851455         All information correct at the time of writing