Secret Drinker reviews the Royal Oak in Mareham Le Fen
Age is just a number. And my visit to the Royal Oak is proof.
On my way into this pub I was questioning whether this would be the oldest venue I’d visited for the Secret Drinker column..
With a date of 1473 proudly displayed on this delightful-looking white walled and thatched roof hostelry, I was racking my brains to think whether I’d had a drink in any place that could come close to competing with this.
A little research through the reviews reminded me Spalding’s Prior’s Oven edges it, but I’m actually still none the wiser as to how old the Royal Oak actually is.
The pub’s website boasts it is ‘one of the oldest thatched pubs in Lincolnshire’, but looking for a little further detail I came across a potential spoiler, from Mareham Le Fen Parish Council itself.
“The Grade II listed Royal Oak public house has a datestone of 1473, but is believed to date from the 17th century, with 18th and 20th-century additions,” the spoilsports’ website proclaimed, not even trying to play along.
But, no matter what you want to believe, age isn’t one of the categories you’ll find rating this pub at the bottom of the page.
And whether the place is 600 or 400 or two-and-a-half years old, you can’t deny it looks absolutely gorgeous from the outside. Squint and you’ll see it in sepia.
And, much to my delight, it was pretty good looking inside too.
No matter the actual date of this place, the interior was very modern, slick and yet somehow still homely.
“What can I get you young man,” asked the barmaid who was probably half my age.
At first I thought she was taking the mick, but a swift look around suggested I was comfortably the youngest punter in the place and probably the youngest she’d served all day.
It was lunchtime and the clientele were mostly diners of an age where you don’t have to pay for the bus, tucking into their meals, chatting quietly with their companions and still very much young at heart.
But not feeling sociable I thought I’d take a comfy armchair in the back room.
No sooner had I sat down than the only other two customers in that spot upped and left. Presumably, unsure how to react around a hip, wild youngster like myself with there crazy checked shirt and chinos.
But I wasn’t alone for long as a foursome took their place at a table nearby and filled me with joy as one began talking about how he enjoys getting out of Horncastle as the beer’s too expensive there.
Feeling vindicated that a previous moaning column of mine wasn’t an against-the-grain opinion - ta muchly - I supped up and plonked my empty back at the bar.
“Thank you young man,” the barmaid added, again leaving me questioning whether I was the punchline or using just the right amount of Oil of Olay.
In all honesty, I am knocking on quite a bit. But I’m nowhere near as old as this delightful pub - however old that really is?
THE ROYAL OAK, MAIN STREET, MAREHAM LE FEN, PE22 7RL
DECOR: Outside, beautiful; inside, warm, homely, clean and pleasing on the eye. 4/5
DRINK: I went for a pint of Batemans 5G. I’d heard good things about this from a number of people and wasn’t disappointed. 4/5
PRICE: £4.90. Not terrible and, as my new best mate says, cheaper than Horncastle. 3/5
ATMOSPHERE: It was pleasant. Everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves. But if you like your boozers lively maybe don’t come when it’s lunch time. 3/5
STAFF: Nice, smiley and friendly. Enough to impress this young man. 3/5
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Do you agree with the secret drinker or have any suggestions where he should go next? Where is your favourite beer garden? Email secretdrinker@lincsonline.co.uk or comment below.
