Royal Oak Fritham named Country Pub of the Year
The venue is currently shut due to the tier 2 restrictions
Last updated 10th Dec 2020
The Royal Oak in Fritham, New Forest, has been named as Country Pub of the Year in the Good Pub Guide 2021.
It's a title they previously won in 2012.
The guide describes it as a "charming and delightful pub that is part of a working farm".
Like many across the country, the Royal Oak have faced a difficult year due to lockdowns and different restrictions.
As they are a wet led pub, one that doesn't serve substantial meals, they have been unable to open since the beginning of November as they do not fit the tier 2 criteria that the New Forest went in to on December 2nd.
The family business is run by Neil and Pauline McCulloch, with their two daughters Cathy and Jenna, having been there since 1998.
In a statement on their Facebook page, the pub said:
"It is a great honour to be acknowledged for our continued effort and dedication, in a year that has been so full of highs and lows; it is so humbling. Even though imposed government regulations mean that we are currently closed we honestly couldn’t think of a better end to the year.
It is so important for us to keep the heart of the pub beating and not change the essence of a business we have spent over 20 years building. We are a traditional country pub serving cask ale and ploughman’s with homemade and locally sourced produce, we do not wish to be anything other than what people have come to know and love us for.
So whilst our current situation is not ideal, especially when we would like to be celebrating the festive season with you all, we look forward to the exciting opportunities that await us when we are able to reopen."
They don't have a date on when they will be able to reopen yet, but they say they're excited to welcome back the crowds of people next Christmas, who usually come to the pub for some festive fun.