Idyllically positioned in the heart of the New Forest, The Royal Oak at North Gorley was once a royal hunting lodge. 

You will often find the national park's famous wild animals grazing outside the cosy and characterful inn, which is close to the town of Fordingbridge. 

READ MORE: Inside cosy edge of New Forest pub The Forest Home

Landlord of six and a half years Will Barnaby and his team welcome locals and visitors to the Forest to their family-friendly and dog-friendly establishment with pub dog Guinness the labrador often close by.

The Royal Oak boasts a picturesque beer garden and dozens of nearby walking and cycling routes.

Behind the bar, there is plenty on offer including cask ales from local microbreweries and a choice of at least 16 gins. There's also an impressive array of wines, including fi from around the world, and a wide range of soft drinks, like the popular alcohol-free gin.

Food is freshly prepared by head chef Sebastian Krakowiak and his talented team using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. The menu features traditional pub comfort foods and modern British dishes and changes daily.

Favourites include homemade pies, burgers, lamb, duck, salmon, seabass and seabream, as well as the popular Sunday roast dinner.

The monthly quiz, at £10 including food for teams of up to six, always goes down a storm.

This week marks the start of the busiest time of the year for hospitality workers. The Royal Oak has launched its festive fayre menu featuring turkey and all the trimmings, plus a wide selection of alternatives available.

There's a free drink for anyone wearing a Christmas jumper on December 9, the Christmas quiz with curry on December 11, bingo on December 18 and live music to get you in the Christmas spirit on December 23. Tim Young is a talented singer and guitarist playing a wide range of covers from Abba to Oasis, with new songs being constantly added to his repertoire, and of course a few festive twists.

Customers are also being invited to say goodbye to 2022 in style and celebrate 2023 at the pub's New Year's Eve party with food, drinks and a DJ.

Pub gift vouchers are proving an ideal Christmas gift for many.

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