Royal Oak Exmoor
Winsford village, central Exmoor · Inn
View on Google MapsPhoto: steve mercer
Thatched twelfth-century country inn in the village of Winsford, with comfortable en suite rooms and a kitchen that regularly appears in the guides.
What's nearby
- Karslake Country Guest House next door
- Winsford public toilet next door
Distances as the crow flies, via Google
Good to know
Accessibility
- ✓Accessible parking
- ✓Accessible entrance
Details via Google — worth confirming with the hotel before you travel, especially for access needs.
Photos
Photos via Google
About Royal Oak Exmoor
The Royal Oak stands beside the ford and packhorse bridges in Winsford, a village of thatch and cob that is often called the prettiest on Exmoor. The building began as a farmhouse in the twelfth century and has been an inn for a very long time, with a thatched roof, flagstones, beams and inglenook fires all present and correct.
Bedrooms are en suite and traditionally furnished to a four-star standard, split between the main inn and a quieter adjoining wing. Expect comfortable beds, good bathrooms and the general absence of noise that comes with a village of a few hundred people surrounded by moor.
The restaurant has been a regular fixture in the AA and Michelin guides, cooking modern British dishes from Exmoor lamb, beef and game, with a bar menu and local ales for those wanting something simpler. Winsford sits about as centrally as it is possible to be on Exmoor, with the village shop and post office a few doors away, Winsford Hill and its Caratacus Stone rising directly above, and Tarr Steps a three-mile walk across the moor. Riding stables are close by, and the dark skies overhead are among the best in the park.
Reception hours
- Monday
- 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 11:00 PM
- Thursday
- 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 11:00 PM
- Friday
- 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday
- 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours.
What guests say
Very friendly and accommodating staff made it possible for us to have dinner without a reservation when they were fully booked. The food was delicious, and came in generous portions with the right balance of meat and vegetables. Would have been even better with some great background music, but it was a nice enough atmosphere with the sound of people chatting.
2 months ago · via Google
Had a fantastic overnight stay with dinner. This friendly pub b&b is situated in the most beautiful village near Exmoor. Our outside courtyard, dog friendly room was very comfortable and equipped, with a decent bath/shower. But the standout aspect of our stay was the food! Dinner on Saturday night was superb. We had venison and John Dory mains, beautifully presented and served with asparagus, long stem broccoli, green beans and potato (crushed with the fish and new with the venison). All totally delicious! My John Dory was served with lemon butter, capers and almonds, a perfect flavour combination. We also had a starter of goats cheese arancini served with chutney and salad, as well as a pud that included a raspberry compote to die for. All meals are homemade and they also make their own bread, which we sampled at breakfast. The breakfast menu was varied (such as eggs benedict, smoked salmon, kippers, porridge). All our food was cooked to order and yummy. This is not your average pub grub! We were very impressed with the overall bill - not toppy for the quality. All staff were super friendly and accommodating... can't wait to return for another stay!
2 months ago · via Google
We had a wonderful time at the Royal Oak Inn. The food was absolutely amazing, and the hostess was incredibly welcoming — she really set the tone for the visit. All of the staff were friendly and attentive too. We came during the sunny bank holiday weekend, which made it even more special. We’ll definitely be back!
2 months ago · via Google
This is a hidden gem in the heart of Exmoor we stayed on Saturday 7th March with our Frenchie Lilah. From arrival to departure this was truly 5 🌟 The host lady was lovely as was the young man behind the bar and in the restaurant. Breakfast was superb and again nothing was too much trouble we thoroughly enjoyed our stay thank you Julien Sara and Lilah the Frenchie ❤️
5 months ago · via Google
Guests consistently praise this pub for its delicious homemade food, particularly the Sunday roast, venison, and lamb. They also appreciate the comfortable rooms with good amenities and highlight the warm, friendly, and accommodating staff, alongside the authentic atmosphere.
Some reviews mention the atmosphere can be poorly maintained.
Summary via Google
At a glance
- Address
- Halse Lane, Minehead, TA24 7JE Get directions
- Property type
- Inn
- Location
- Winsford village, central Exmoor
- Star rating
- 4 star
- Guest score
- 8.6 / 10 (640 reviews)
- Prices from
- £145 per night
- Destination
- Exmoor