The Royal Oak Holmbury St Mary — Restaurant in Guildford

We visited The Royal Oak for a Sunday Lunch as a party of 7. We spent a while trying to find one of the best spots for a Sunday roast in this part of the Surrey Hills. It's a pretty pub in a beautiful village and surroundings. When we contacted the pub the staff sounded lovely and were helpful. However, it did not live up to our expectations. When we arrived, we were not shown where our table was and had to go and receive our own menus. We then placed our order and had to wait 1 hour and 15 mins (order placed c.13:20 and food arrived c. 14.35). We had to ask politely where the food was after an hour and the waiter told us that there was one more table in front of us. Only then, did he give meals to the table next to us who arrived 15 minutes after we placed our order! When the food finally arrived, the roast veg was raw and the chicken dry. Nobody checked if the food was any good, nor did anyone come to check if we wanted any more drinks. I had to go downstairs to ask for water for the table. There was only one apology for the lateness of the meal (only after we asked where the food was), and nothing was taken off the order, despite the complete lack of service and 1hr 15min wait for substandard food . I completely understand that this is the busiest time of the day, week and year! Further too, I understand that you had a large table of 20 beside us. However, I do believe that you should not have accepted our booking if you could not have fulfilled the service and standard of food that you aim for. Do not just aim to completely fill out the restaurant if you do not have the staff and kitchen to be able to satisfy...

This pub is NOT closed as Trip Advisor says...

Having been on a Sunday drive out, we left Shere exasperated at the traffic congestion and remembered this pub nearby from years back.

On arrival we were met with a warm welcome and after ordering our drinks were offered to take a seat while they would bring them over.

The open fire was on, so we took a seat next to it - lovely.

There were a few locals at the bar passing the time of day, and there was very varied music playing - not too loud to overpower any conversation.

Although the furnishings were a litted jaded, the oak beamed character of the pub shone through - especially with the welcoming team and fire.

When the bar roasties appeared - a rare treat thesedays - one of the locals brought some over to us - how nice!

We did not eat but the Sunday roast looked wholesome and generous. I overheard a couple who ordered food did not want roast, so the team went out of their way to rustle up something for them.

Having been in the trade, it is refreshing to see how it should be done - such a rarity thesedays to experience proper genuine hospitality and the details observed and catered for.

Good luck to Colum and his team - we...

The pub has a cosy old world feel with exposed beams and woodburner. Just what you want as the weather draws in. Outside are tables with parasols, which would be lovely on a sunny day. The pub is also dog friendly, very handy if you pop in after a walk up Holmbury Hill.

When we came, for Friday lunch, the pub was busy enough to have atmosphere but not so busy that the kitchen was overrun. My wife had the Butternut squash burger, and I had ham, egg, and chips. Both were very tasty and very reasonably priced (especially for the area). Both were washed down with a pint of the Legacy Ale brewed on site, which was fantastic, and one of the lowest carbon footprints of any pint you'll buy. For desert we had the Biscoff cheesecake which was an indulgence :-).

Our host (who we later found out was the general manager) gave quick, efficient and friendly service and was polite with it. All in all a very enjoyable trip out and I'm sure we'll be back in the not too...