Old Royal Oak

Stopped by for a drink, visit didn’t start well, asked for a taste of one of the beers before purchasing, refused on the grounds that they are not in the business of giving away free beer 🍺. Never been refused before in 60 years of drinking 😀. Purchased a pint and enjoyed it…… Pity the bar person is not a little more hospitable. Dog friendly, very clean facilities, pleasant lady cleaning tables and chatting with other customers. Great location in the town centre.

Slightly better than staying at a campground. The room was really rough. We could feel every spring in the mattress. The shower was moldy. The tv was tiny and glitched out so we couldn’t watch tv. It looks like they never throw anything out and there was a garbage pile outside our window. We spent 2 weeks traveling in the UK and had great experiences staying at smaller places in smaller towns. Not this time… by far the worst place we stayed in the country. If it wasn’t so late when we arrived we would have went somewhere else.

Great quirky little pub with a dark/macabre theme for some decorations. Might not be to everyone's taste but I loved it. Also it felt like an escape from some of the pretentiousness found in other parts of the town. Proper down to earth boozer and locals. Thanks for giving us a bit of sanity.

I highly recommend the Old Royal Oak. Nice pub and rooms. Rob, Shaz and the staff are first class every time we go.

The Royal Oak in Knaresborough is a quintessential local pub. It’s the kind of place that has a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel instantly at ease. Our recent visit to Knaresborough was particularly memorable, as we found the karaoke night. The evening had with a wonderful mix of aspiring vocalists, to the hilariously enthusiastic. But what truly made the night for us was the laughter that echoed around the place. It wasn't about perfect pitch or flawless performances, trust me, there were no Frank Sinatras, no Brittany Spears, Chers, or any other recognisable talent, but it did stop short of baying hounds. There was the sheer joy of letting go and having a fun time. No judgments, only encouragement and good-natured ribbing, no, scrub that …. there was a lot of piss taking and total disbelief that anyone could embarrass themselves like that !! The thing was it created a communal spirit that was truly infectious. Everyone joined in, and as expected mayhem ensued. Beyond the entertainment, the pub itself is everything you’d expect. The drinks choice was a bit limited, but a well-kept array of ales was available. The staff are attentive, chatty, and friendly, adding to the pub’s laid-back charm. The Royal Oak is more than just a place to grab a drink; it's part of the hub of the community and good cheer. Whether you’re looking for a quiet pint or a night filled with song and laughter, ( well in our case, mainly laughter ) this Knaresborough pub is a definite well worth nip in. It’s a place where most nights feel like a celebration. Sorry, if you are looking for pictures of this, you’re out of luck …. We couldn’t have evidence like that floating around the internet, ……. Could we ???