Exceptional little pub with a really great range of beers and ciders, great, good value food, and a nice traditional atmosphere. I think it was CAMRA’s London pub of the year in 2003, and, as dmj1962 has noted, it has a string of other awards from CAMRA and others.

The range of beer and ciders is large, and incorporates a wide selection of Harvey’s offerings, and westons ciders. The food is traditional pub fare, with a penchant for seafood. I had a stilton and vegetable pie for about 7 or 8 pounds which was delicious, and extremely filling.

The general atmosphere of the pub is old man/traditional - the best kind of pub in my opinion. There are pictures of famous old local figures like Dickens on the wall.

So next time you’re in the area, drop in for a few pints - not to be missed!

The Royal Oak may be tucked away in a side street (but near Borough tube station) but it is well known to beer aficionados. It has a string awards from CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), the London Time Out guide and the London Evening Standard newspaper.

What attracts most people is the beer: this is a tied pub belonging to the Harvey's Brewery, based in Lewes in Sussex. Their Best Bitter is a consistent award winner itself, but the Royal Oak serves their full range, including Mild (normally hard to find, though I'm not a Mild drinker myself) and Pale Ale (which is lovely). The beers are superbly kept.

The interior is very traditional, with neither piped music nor fruit machines to spoil the conversation. Unusually, it has an impressive single bar dividing the two drinking spaces. It's not especially large, though, and can get very busy in the evenings. They serve food, which I'm told is good, although I have not eaten here. NB - note restricted week-end opening times.

Although the present building dates from the 1870's, the pub is, I'm told, on the site of the mediaeval Tabard Inn. It's a worthy inheritance.