Royal Standard of England, Beaconsfieldback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I loved it; as interesting a pub as I've been in, even if the fittings aren't as old as they look. Very welcoming and unpretentious, with decent quality beer (even a mild). I didn't eat but the menu looked good if expensive. Just amazed I haven't heard more about this pub before.
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Overpriced, Over-rated and surly miserable staff who really don't want to be there......the Clientele at the time of my visit left a lot to be desired too...well worth giving a miss!
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I visited for beer, and lunch today at this traditional, old pub - BECAUSE it is just that! It does annoy me when people moan about food in pubs as though they were expecting the greatest gastromomic delights ever. Pubs are about atmosphere, British ales, community spirit and socialising. Check your expectations before you book for dinner!
My observations for my visit are: Beer - I had Chiltern Ale which was in fine condition and very tasty. The very pleasant barmaid had to ask a colleague what it was like before I ordered, but I was then given a taster. If the pub were busy, that would delay things, I'm sure. I was glad they had a dark mild on, but disappointed that 2 of the 6 beers were national brands. Great choice of other draught drinks also.
Atmosphere - great old pub with corners to sit in, different types of seating and dozing cat. Interesting artefacts and decoration. Several notices remind you this is a locals pub as well as a destination pub. Generally clean and tidy, the odd cobweb will always be found in a pub this size.
I plan to return one evening when perhaps I'll get to meet some of the locals, who I imagine will bring the place to life.
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There have been a recent number of damning reports of significance regarding this fine hostelry. Many seem to suggest that the food is not close to the quality suggestive of its lavish setting in rural Buckinghamshire. Others direct the complaints at queues, tourits and even the lovely waitstaff. Every man and woman is entitled to opiniate, thus I am not here to try and discredit, but to offer my thoughts and feelings on the matter.
Years ago our family home used to be a stone's throw from the kitchens of the RSOE and I still live very much within walking distance. I certainly consider it my local (and favourite) pub and really a 'home from home'. The food, which has received mixed reports in this forum, is just that. It is mixed in it's qualities.
Have the courage to find what you like and what you do not.
This is often the case with most countryside inns. Tourists naturally have a disadvantage here, however do not let that sway your decision in visiting. Enjoy many of it's fine ales, which I might add are superbly kept, followed by a plate of salty cured ham with a glass of red wine. The rarity of some of the ales they serve is worth the trip.
Whilst there on Wednesday (23/07) and ordering a few ales, a tourist type enquired as to whether nachos were served. I do not believe that somebody who cannot distinguish immediately a place that serves nachos and the RSOE would appreciate its rustic menu and indeed its rustic 'cluttered' feel.
It is not necessarily the cleanest hostelry, and strives instead to retain its rural culture. The chairs and benches do not match, and we are often forced to quibble for our favorite armchair in the wintery evenings. And yes, a guest is required to collect their cutlery and whichever sauces and relish they may desire. This is what Old English pubs are about. The staff are always friendly and some have great senses of humour. I suggest that the critics on this forum failed to engage them.
Do not cast the reputation of the Royal Standard of England aside like useless ephemera, instead let it infect you.
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Terribly disappointing food here. Having looked forward to visiting for quite sometime now I was most upset upon receiving our main courses to find that Bisto ‘gravy’ had been poured over and ruined everything we had ordered!! Being the host for this small get together of friends I was totally embarrassed. And I really don’t like to be a ’stick in the mud’ but for the prices you pay here I find this practise of saucing with Bisto completely unacceptable, I wouldn‘t do this at home so why should I pay ‘experts’ for the ‘privilege’ of serving us this god awful monstrosity of a ‘sauce‘? Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall would have a fit. I also think that this should be made clear to customers on the menu itself to avoid further embarrassment and a short line added with an opt out clause along the lines of ’With or Without Bisto’. A potentially good meal with friends ruined in what can only be described as a ‘caricature’ of a gastro pub.
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Another visit to this fabled pub with heaps of character. We had some excellent beers in a cosy and friendly pub nook in front of one of the log fires. Very ale house - lots of wooden benches.
The food is good too - Dozen Oysters were fantastic...wife was pleased!... and the old dog got a sausage. They allow dogs in - very civilised.
Best time to enjoy this special pub is late lunchtime and early afternoon, when it's not so rammed with drinkers enjoying the rare beers from the craft brewers.
Even more full on the weekends.
That said, it's also enjoyable when thoroughly crowded...
A hidden gem never disappointed.
Cheers
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I went there a few weeks ago after seeing recommendation in a mag. What a let down - long queues at bar, cluttered tables, diy cuttlery - and the prices!!!!for nothing more than scraps of steak and kidney in stodgy suet. I'm glad I no longer live in the area, I've obviously got used to better quality. The only nice bit was prolonged views of the barmaid while waiting. Don't waste your money there.
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I went to this pub at Christmas and found it disgusting, unclean amongst other things I found ont eh floor. The staff were unbothered, and the food was terrible. you would have to pay me to return!!!!
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Tourist trap. Outrageous (and unproven) claims about it's history, and not the sort of place I would like to go for a quiet pint.
The Pub industry is on its knees, and places like this are largely the reason why.
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Sure it can get over-run with tourists and such...but this place has real charm, and a fantastic selection of beers...not to mention, some hot looking waitstaff (eastern European perhaps?) Fireplace is always lit in the winter, and the garden is fantastic in the summer. Very good food too, albeit quite pricey. Worth a visit.
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Over-hyped, over-priced, over-rated.
anonymous - 22 Jun 2007 23:02 |
After a bit of a ‘round and ‘round in a Bucks Free Press forum, I’ve decided to add my 50 pence to BITE.
There’s been a lot of debate recently with regards to the validity of the RSOE’s age. Really, who cares? I’m rating and reviewing this wonderful pub based on it food, beer, atmosphere and staff. So it might be 900 years old, so it might be 100 years old. I don’t mind either way.
From the first time I stepped in this place, it was a 10/10. The food, with exception of a single salad which several months ago which was poorly prepared, has always been hearty, tasty, fresh and of abundance. Seemingly to the exception of the comments on here as of late, the food makes for a less expensive night out than most of the restaurants in the area and is worth every penny. If you’ve got somebody around visiting, the fish and chips will make their eyes fall out of their heads, without fail. I had the sausages a couple of weeks ago – nothing measly about the portions and have yet to declare bankruptcy.
The beer list seems to grow and grow, with a black lager currently on show. A smattering of the usual fine Belgian ales alongside a handful of real ales and even a rauchbier (German smoked beer), can often leave one spoiled for choice. The Owd Rodger is their ‘thing’, but a session drink it isn’t, unless you think you can walk home down the windy Brindle Lane having forgotten how to see.
Dogs are allowed inside the pub and even if your poor hound goes slightly mad having been harassed by one of the resident cats, he’ll always get a pat on the head. ‘Dog friendly’ is one thing, but the RSOE loves dogs.
Finally, the staff are a wonderful mix of nationalities. Seemingly this isn’t everybody cup of tea, but they are always smiling. There’s been some talk about an angry Brazilian manager, but I can honestly say that I’ve never seen him in the numerous times I’ve been here. Is he even still there, because the people who work there have been smiley and helpful, without exception. Sure, English isn’t their first language, but they all seem happy and competent.
In the summer, I’d recommend getting a table outside, overlooking the scenery. In the winter? The fireplace is always full of burning logs. Follow the footpath signs and go for a walk amongst the cows to burn off some of your dinner.
The perfect night: my dogs, the husband, an Orval, a roast lamb dinner and a newspaper at the RSOE.
And contrary to popular paranoid belief, those of us who love this pub do so with the best of intentions at heart, not because we are the manager or have any affiliation. Judging by all the familiar faces, there are a lot of us who love this place, not just the tourists. The tourists, however, always seem to be the guests of the locals, the same locals who seem glad to have this pub – no matter its declared vs real age – in their local community. Hey – it may not be the oldest pub in Penn, but it most certainly is the best.
anonymous - 11 Jun 2007 15:33 |
The RSOE certainly has many charms indeed, it is indeed beautifully located, the building oozes character and may even be almost as old as the management would have us believe the place to be. There was a fair selection of interesting ales available during my last visit, some interesting ciders and penty of lager for the Phillistines amongst our group.
I feel that people should be warned about their food prices, I have a serious issue being charged almost £9 for bangers and mash, and getting just two sausages and a solitary scoop of mash in return.
The sausages were good, but a price tag of £4 each can no more be justified than their equally horrendous charge of £1 per oyster. Whilst one or two other menu items seemed slightly better value for money, people really deserve to be warned beforehand.
The management are very keen to dispel any accusations of their becoming yet another "gastro pub" (the area is saturated with them) and they have plans in mind to include a wider ale selection, introduce live music and so forth. This community focus could encourage greater diversity of clientel.
An interesting pub, a good (if costly) experience, well worth at least the occasional visit
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One of the best pubs of old England. If you are from overseas, This is how you would veiw old England. Bags of charm and character. A good pub in summer time to sit outside. Good food good beers. And a fantastic pub for winter time. With its open fires.
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I haven't been to such a quaint and endearing pub since my holiday to Bognor Regis in 1974. The magical journey through the meandering countryside only sought to add a sense of expectancy to our arrival. Crossing the theshold brings back long forgotten memories of my father taking me to his local when I was but a young man. The amtosphere is warm and friendly, unlike high street pubs, where the well maintained traditional look and feel has long been tarnished with cheap veneers and push-up bras, The Royal Standard of England upholds all the facets that make Old English pubs the best in the world.
The meal was to a very high standard as was the extensive choice of fine ales. I afforded myself a cognac in front of the hearth and soaked up the splendid surroundings. The staff were both courteous and professional and if I can be so bold, I think I caught eye of a fine young fillie...oh to be 30 years younger.
All in all, a fine establisment that that left me feeling full of well-being.
anonymous - 27 Apr 2007 15:23 |
These truly are exciting times !!!
great pub, good food, cheese beer to die for, and friendly staff.. not sure what the mentalist before was saying about grumpy staff.. they are always friendly..
Been there a few times and hopefully many more..
thanks for your time..
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Been back in after a few years and its still a great place. Nice food and a good range of beers and a great outside area for the summer. There was a hot Swedish looking lady behind the bar too! (Nice sausages too)
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I have been to this pub a number of times and have always found both the food and atmosphere very enjoyable; however, I would also like to say that I too have noticed a decline in service since the introduction of an almost totally Eastern European bar staff. This has given this beautifully traditional old pub a very odd feel to it. On one particular Sunday lunchtime recently only once was I served by a local English girl at the bar, who was both polite and exceptionally helpful - two skills most of the other staff seemed to lack. Hopefully they will learn from her and things will improve as the good still outweighs the bad at this pub.
Personally I find the no-smoking ban one of the plus sides.
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hiiiii....., what a great pub., its is the oldest pub i
have ever been., food is great. iam traveling around the
world with my father from few years but i didn't found a
pub like this.
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Very atmospheric, my favourite pub in this area. Lovely interior. Wasn't too difficult to bag a seat on a saturday evening. Yes there were a lot of posh people but not in your face types and happily no chavs. There were 5 or 6 ales on, and 2 fantastic german lagers, one was a black lager I'd never seen before. Actually they had no big branded lagers from a choice of 10 on tap. Strawberry Beer fruli, a local wheatbeer from cotswold and the real budweiser budvar on draught.
Great sausages too,which they make themselves and the mash tasted of potato, which is a change from the usual gastropub fare. Sat in the sunshine and watched a red kite circle around...we were in paradise...nearly. Great pub, highly recommended.
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Serious financial shock over £8.95 bangers and mash?? oh dear.
Went there for saturday lunch and greatly enjoyed the above mentioned dish, the sausies are made on the premises and are impressive to say the least and the fruit crumble and custard was to die for. Had a very enjoyable meal there, it's been a long long time since i've been and was glad it was a non-smoking pub as it used to get eye-wateringly smokey in there. Can imagine it gets pretty busy around meal times but it was ideal to take my folks to (who were visiting for the day). No complaints.
p.s. the Rebellion I.P.A, very good.
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I wonder if that last remark was made by a member of staff? (LOL)
Been there a couple of times recently, after a break of many years. Their attitude to smokers was a bit offputting - I don't smoke myself, but this didn't say much for their hospitality). The food prices were horrendous. I was in a state of serious mental and financial shock after a plate of bangers and mash.
The choice of real ales (Brakspears and 1 other) has reduced from the old days (2 on tap compared to 5 lagers) To be fair, they were having a problem of some sort at the time of my last visit.
The staffing issue is puzzling, they all seem to have difficulties in speaking English, and I found them surly and unpleasant.
The premises are certainly quite spectacular, though. Despite the surly staff, the dingy interior, the attitude to smokers, there is something good and enduring here. I will be back
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A thought on this comment below.
Look at what you saw another way. The Italian manager is passionate and vocal about serving the customers, he is doing it for you and me. He pushes the staff into doing a great job instead of an average one. He belongs to the Gordon Ramsay school of management, you may not like it, but boy! doesn't it raise the standards of service in this country.
Is it not wonderful that someone who cares is in a pub on our doorstep?
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This is my first time I have been compelled to leave a comment regarding a pub that I have visited.
My first visit to the Royal Standard of England for many years was for a Christmas function last year. We found the pub to be back to its best that I remember of it – fabulous food and drinks, with an amazing selection of beers, and great ales and wines, along with cheerful, helpful and friendly staff. I have been back a few times since and have found it to be equally good, with the exception of my most recent visit.
We went for Sunday lunch. We expected the pub to be busy and came armed with ample time and patience. Unfortunately one of the chaps behind the bar wasn’t so patient (or polite, for that matter). He was a tall thin Italian that seemed to do very little but harass and yell at the other staff. The staff were under a lot of pressure as it was, as it seemed to be an extra busy Sunday (even for this pub), and this chap (I guess he was the manager the way he was bossing people around) was not in any way helping the situation. When I did notice him serving a customer, he seemed to do it with the same rudeness as he was using on the staff. Quite a disappointing surprise for this pub, and also an example of behaviour that I hope other staff do not adopt.
Anyway, once we ordered and found a table, everything was up to its usual high standard. It is just unfortunate that the experience was tarnished within minutes of walking in the door.
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The Royal Standard of England is largely the thing that pub-goers' dreams are made of. I say 'largely' because of a couple of downers, which I'll get out of the way first because they're not the pub's fault. Apart from a couple of eccentric-in-a-nice-way regulars (you doubtless know who you are), the pub was populated on a Sunday lunchtime by the kind of people who simply don't go to pubs: they don't know how pubs work, which is mildly irritating for the people that do. In an English pub, you go to the bar and order a drink. If they're doing food, you have a look at the menu and order what you want at the bar. You don't sit around at a table waiting to be served -- even if you are American.
It was very busy and we had to wait 20 minutes for a table but we deployed our usual table-snaring tactics successfully. That's enough moaning.
Reputedly and very believably, haunted, the pub features dark wood panels and furniture (dark everything, in fact), candles in the 'Candle Room' (they don't normally light them until 7pm, we heard, but as it was so dark, they broke the rule, bless 'em), open log fires, interesting ornaments and a collection of four antique gunpowder horns (for firing muskets) and a multinational cast of very charming and understanding bar staff. Despite being so busy with non-pub-goers, showing them what to do and how to order, the staff were almost infeasibly nice -- rare in itself.
Three pints of very good Marston's Pedigree allowed me to take advantage of my wife's new-found enthusiasm for driving. She had half an IPA. And for non-liquid sustenance we took a dish of olives, some excellent Serrano ham and half a dozen Irish oysters. Olives and ham were two quid each, oysters were £7 for six, coming with a salad garnish that frankly had seen better days but some rather wonderful shallot and vineger dressing. Having pushed the shallots onto the oysters, I drank the vinegar out of the little pot while no one was looking -- including my wife (it was that sweet).
Really, the most interesting thing about the rest of the menu is what's printed on the back, giving an overview of the pub's and its site's long history - it's nigh-on a thousand years old and claims to be the UK's oldest freehouse. The 'bill of fayre for Sundays,' as the menu had it, would serve you roast beef (hung for a minimum of 28 days and naturally marbled with fat, we're told), Welsh lamb, venison stake and eight or ten other dishes including mushroom risotto. You can also opt for 'just the veg' if you are so inclined - the roast lunch without the, erm, meat - for about £6. The full roasts were about eleven quid and judging by the fully stocked plates coming out of the kitchen, the higher-than-average price was only just worth it.
If I were writing for the Michelin guide, I'd give this pub a star (making it worth stopping) for its atmosphere and history, plus its staff and their excellent service and attitude. As I'm writing for this website (for nothing) I'll give the pub a 7, for the same reasons. If you're in the Beaconsfield area and you haven't been here before, check it out. But if you go half-way through the Sunday lunchtime rush, be prepared to wait for a table.
I took a couple of pictures as best the light allowed but I don't know if it's possible to post them with a review. (Admin: is it?)
Look out for more of my reviews on this site.
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Great to see the old place starting to recover from a bland and disinterested previous management. The beer has always been good - great in fact - and now the food is catching up.
It's not cheap, but it i in a lovely situation and it is full of character. Nice to see some of our American friends dicovering at first hand why we think their beer is so awful, and also learning that no all pubs are bloody Irish pubs.
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A once great pub which went into a long decline and is now well on the way to full recovery. Great beer, good food and very atmospheric interior.
One slight whinge though concerns the food and goes something like this:
You stride up to the bar, order a pint and some food; before they will take your order, they insist that you give them a table number, so you wander about the bar/garden, find a table, come back and give them the number. By the time you have decided what you want and paid for it, you return to the table and find that it's now occupied, so you search for another table, go to the bar... Is it me, or wouldn't it be more user-friendly to just take your name and a vague location. Oh, and they expect you to take your own knife and fork as well (and don't always tell you).
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Fantastic historic pub with good food, great beer and brilliant staff. Definately worth a visit on a hot summers day or a chilly winters evening by one of the fires!
anonymous - 7 Sep 2006 14:05 |
Great Food, a large selection of reasonably well kept beer, and a few unusual ones to boot!
This weekend's visit was marred only by the surly Brazillian chap who really didn't want to serve anyone with anything. I am pleased to report however that the remainder of the Staff there are a damn sight more polite than he was, but then again - we all have our off days don't we?
Other than that, can't really fault the place. Worth a look.
Alain - 17 Jul 2006 12:03 |
Nice traditional old pub, approx 950 years old apparently. I liked the Rebellion beer from Marlow too.
Probably has the biggest pub car park in the world - no doubt for those loud obnoxious Yanks that inevitably come here at certain times. Thankfully they were absent when I was in on Monday evening
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It could fall into that tourist trap, but doesn't in my opinion. I agree that the local Rebellion beer is really good... want to buy the house next door.
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Visited for the first time in years recently. A great selection of beers & lagers, and I must say the food and service was excellent. And car-parking never likely to be a problem!
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Fantastic place! Had some great Morris men performing outside last night. Food was delicious (fish and chips were huge!) and massive range of beers. The place just oozes character and the new owners have done an amazing job of revitalising the place since I was here last year. Definitly will be coming back again soon!
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Horrible little dreary pub living of it’s supposed age and dominated by a car park for the masses of imaginary tourists the owners seem to think would wish to visit. On my most recent visit (last year) the real ale was in such poor condition that I would not be surprised it the cask had been on a month – undrinkable! Staff unfriendly and décor dingy. It’s nearby namesake at Wooburn Common is a far nicer place to drink.
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Pretty nice, hard to get a seat. The ghost theme is funny, can't say I had a stray hand touching me - alas. Otherwise all very nice.
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The best pub in England in my opinion, wonderful food, friendly staff, excellent beer (local IPA Revolution from Marlow is great). Could ask for no more...
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Great pub. Have taken numerous first dates here as it never fails to impress in summer or winter. Great food, great range of beers and great staff. A proper country pub with atmosphere and character. You will not be disappointed.
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Beautiful Pub, highly recommended. I advise anyone who strays off teh beaten track to give this a go...Magnifique!!!
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Thank god for the new owners. They have brought the pub back into life. Enjoyed a great pint of Rebellion IPA, full of condition. Tried out some of the Belgian Ales. Staff are friendly, Kav the manager was very helpful and full of info. Great British food. Once again has become a delight to visit. Plans for a real farmers market sound interesting, keep it local. The pub is the hub
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Haven't been to this one in ages, but went a lot in the 80s. Concur with the input here. Very cozy, and a ton of history if I can recall (Charles 1 hiding out there ?). And of course the famous Jolly Roger if it's still on the pump.
cheers,
joseph65 usa
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Gosh, wow, what can you say that hasn't already been said by previous contributors ?
If this pub gets turned into an Everything Except Two, Vase and Violin, Grub and Cucumber or a themed Irish pub (etc), I think I 'll emigrate.
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Wow! what a great old building parts are 900 years old. This pub is cosy and atmospheric with open fires and friendly staff. You can feel all the old pub ghosts watching you as you sink a pint in the snugs. This is a place I feel immediately at home in when I arrive. The home cooked food is not bad either. Why aren't there more pubs like this left?...A simple village pub...fantastic.
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Wow! What a fantastic old pub not spoiled by a hectic modern life.
This is what I call a real pub where you immediately feel at home, open fires and no music.
For a building over 900 years you can feel the ghosts, that haunt the place, enjoying a pint with you. Very friendly people and the food is not bad either. Why can't other pubs be like this?
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The food is of a good standard, but fairly typical "pub food".
There is more history in this one establishment than most of the UK's pubs put together.
If you go there for a Sunday lunch, make sure you order by atleast 1pm, or they seem to get a bit moody. Unless it's me, as I always order lunch after 2.
Scott - 1 Oct 2004 05:56 |
I can t believe this pub has such a low rating. I think the fact its been rated by 14 people speaks volumes Look at its good points:
Setting- not in a town High Street, but nestled off a country road
Labyrinthness-sit in the beer butt and see how long it takes your friends to find their way back from the bar
Food-Good, tho there are more scrumptious home cooked meals in bucks admittedly
Beer- varied if not avant garde. Tho I ve never had a bad pint here
Character- how wobbly is that roof?
Jabberwocky - 6 Sep 2004 02:53 |
good pub lunch and the setting
is wonderful.
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If this is the one I remember it has some half dozen rooms, each at different levels (mind the step!), each with its own fireplace, and a very strong house ale (all the more reason to mind the step), with regular but quite adequate pub grub. The one I'm thinking of is allegedly the oldest remaining pub in England...
Loved, it, Hope to be back soon.
Cheers, Andy
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Superb building. Good 'pub' food. Very good, friendly service. Reasonably priced. There is a zero chance of "passing traffic" in this location so they must be doing something right and I can't be alone in my opinion.
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One of the most historic pubs in the whole of England - so much so, a book could be written about it.
It's a beautiful pub, with parts dating back centuries (and I really mean centuries - parts of this pub are amongst the oldest in England). Being tall, I have to duck in certain parts - especially whilst my attention is focused on so much of the historic splendor within (plus the beers).
I'm really not exaggerating about this place - it really has to be seen. Probably matches the Kings Arms in Amersham (if not more so) in terms of being one of the best pubs in Buckinghamshire.
Anway, good selection of beers and friendly staff. Sells 'Owd Rodger' - 7.6% via bottle (alas, no longer on draught).
Have never really tried the food, although it always seems popular.
Just as a warning, I still think it keeps old opening times during the day, so it may be worth phoning beforehand to check kitchen times.
Access is via a long lane through Forty Green - strangely, it's got one of the biggest pub car parks I've ever see in my life (so parking's not a problem).
If you're anywhere near Bucks - you must pay it a visit. This really is an excellent and historic pub (one of the other reasons why it's called The Royal Standard).
anthony2 - 26 Sep 2003 01:03 |
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