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Summary of reviewsHelen Browning's Royal Oak is highly celebrated for its picturesque and tranquil location in a charming village, offering a perfect retreat for nature enthusiasts with excellent hiking, cycling and walking trails. The hotel provides guests with beautiful, spacious and well-decorated rooms that emphasize comfort and cleanliness. Guests frequently commend the stunning décor, luxurious bathrooms and exceptionally comfy beds, making the accommodations a standout feature of the stay.
Culinary offerings at Helen Browning's Royal Oak are another highlight with both breakfast and dinner receiving rave reviews. The breakfast is described as delicious and varied, often featuring fresh, locally sourced and organic ingredients. Dinner options are equally praised for their superb quality and presentation, complemented by a charming pub atmosphere. The use of ingredients from the on-site farm adds a unique touch to the dining experience, leaving diners thoroughly satisfied.
The hotel staff consistently receive high praise for their friendliness and attentiveness, enhancing the overall guest experience. Described as fantastic, charming and amazing, the staff's warm hospitality ensures a memorable and enjoyable stay for all visitors.
Cleanliness is a notable strength with both rooms and communal areas frequently described as immaculate. This attention to detail combined with high-quality furnishings contributes to a comfortable and well-maintained environment.
In summary, Helen Browning's Royal Oak offers an exceptional stay with its beautiful location, outstanding accommodations, remarkable food and friendly staff. Its blend of rural tranquility and luxurious comfort makes it a highly recommended destination. Show more
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Categories
Inn with Free Wi-Fi
This inn offers free Wi-Fi to guests. It is located in Bishopstone, near Swindon.
Small Inn
This inn provides a unique and cozy experience with its focus on organic and sustainable practices. It offers a charming countryside escape with comfortable accommodations and a focus on local produce.
4-Star Inn
This pet-friendly dining pub offers comfortable rooms and boasts a children's playground and terrace. It is highly rated by couples and features a superb breakfast.
Inn with EV Charging Stations
Inn Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Dog Friendly Inn
Dog Play Area
Do you accept dogs in all rooms? No, some rooms only: Kate's Folly, Barnfield and Botswicky
Is there an extra charge? Yes, £ 20 per booking
Should the dog owner notify you before checking in? Not necessarily
What is the maximum number of dogs per room? There is no limit
Is there a maximum weight of dogs accepted? No
Are there any leash-free play areas? Yes
Should the dog be kenneled at all times in the room? No
Should the dog be kenneled/kept in a pet carrier at all times in public areas? No
Should the dog remain leashed at all times in the room? No
Should the dog remain leashed at all times in public areas? No
Are the dogs allowed on the furniture? Yes
Are the dogs allowed on beds? No
What are the basic requirements to accept a dog?
Must not be aggressive
Must not have fleas
Owners must clean pet waste immediately
Owners are responsible for any damage caused by the dog
Must not bathe in the bathtub
Must not be a disturbance to other guests
Is there a refundable deposit to guard against damages? No
Do you provide any of these?
Waste-disposal bags
Except for dogs, do you also accept other pets? No
Do you have a written and comprehensive pet policy available on request? Νο
Answers last updated by Helen Browning's Royal Oak
Superior Family RoomKnown as the Cuckoo Pen room, this twin/double room has a super king sized bed.. Situated on the ground floor, it features an en-suite bathroom with a roll top bath, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Free WiFi is provided.
Please note that pets are not allowed in this room.
Standard Double RoomKnown as the Silsdown room, this double room situated on the first floor features an en-suite bathroom with shower, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Free WiFi is provided.
Please note that pets are not allowed in this room.
Standard Double RoomKnown as the Smith's Bottom room, it is situated on the first floor and features an en-suite bathroom with shower, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Free WiFi is provided.
Please note that pets are not allowed in this room.
Standard Double RoomKnown as the Lower Whitehall room, this double room situated on the first floor features an en-suite bathroom with shower, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Free WiFi is provided.
Please note that pets are not allowed in this room.
Standard Double RoomKnown as the Botswicky room, this double room situated on the first floor features an en-suite bathroom with shower, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Free WiFi is provided.
Please note that pets are not allowed in this room.
Standard Family RoomKnown as the Barnfield room, this super king room can accommodate pets and is fully accessible for guests with mobility problems. This room can be set up as a Super King or Twin room.
Located on the ground floor, it features an en-suite bathroom with shower, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Free WiFi is provided and an extra bed for a child can be set up upon request.
Standard Family RoomKnown as the Marral Woodland room, this super king room situated on the first floor features an en-suite bathroom with shower, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Free WiFi is provided and an extra bed for a child can be set up upon request.
Please note that pets are not allowed in this room.
Standard Family RoomKnown as the Downs East room, this super king room situated on the first floor features an en-suite bathroom with shower, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Free WiFi is provided and an extra bed for a child can be set up upon request.
Please note that pets are not allowed in this room.
Standard Family RoomKnown as the Football Field room, this super king room situated on the first floor features an en-suite bathroom with shower, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Free WiFi is provided and an extra bed for a child can be set up upon request.
Please note that pets are not allowed in this room.
Superior Family RoomKnown as the Downs Barn room, this luxury super king room situated on the ground floor features an en-suite bathroom with shower, sofa bed, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Free WiFi is provided.
Please note that pets are not allowed in this room.
Superior Family RoomKnown as the Kate’s Folly room, this luxury super king room has steps leading up to the entrance door.
Situated on the ground floor, it features an en-suite bathroom with shower, a roll top bath in the room itself, sofa bed, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Free WiFi is provided. This room is suitable for pets.
Superior Family RoomKnown as the Eastbrook Valley room, this luxury room accommodates either a super king size bed or a set of twin beds.
Situated on the first floor, it features an en-suite bathroom with a roll top bath and shower, sofa bed, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Free WiFi is provided.
Please note that pets are not allowed in this room.
Guest Reviews
9.3
Excellent
Location
Helen Browning's Royal Oak is highly praised for its excellent and beautiful location, nestled in a charming and quiet village. Guests frequently highlight the picturesque, rural setting that offers a peaceful retreat while still being conveniently close to towns like Swindon and attractions such as Oxford and the MINI factory. The area is perfect for those who enjoy hiking, cycling and scenic walks with many noting the fantastic trails and stunning natural beauty.
The hotel itself is described as a great, quirky place with gorgeous, spacious rooms that are well-decorated. The staff receive consistent acclaim for their friendliness and welcoming nature, ensuring a pleasant stay for all visitors. Home-produced food at the hotel adds to the charm, making it an enjoyable experience for those who appreciate local cuisine.
Overall, Helen Browning's Royal Oak is celebrated as a lovely, remote and peaceful location ideal for a relaxing break, combining excellent accommodation with a fantastic setting for outdoor activities.
Breakfast
Helen Browning's Royal Oak receives high praise for its breakfast offerings with guests consistently describing the morning meal as delicious, tasty and of high quality. The breakfast features a variety of choices, including traditional full English options and a range of both hot and cold selections. The food is noted to be fresh, often organic and made from farm products, adding a unique touch to the experience.
The hotel's breakfast earns accolades for its excellent quality and great selection, ensuring something for everyone. The breakfast is also highlighted for being well-served, allowing guests to enjoy as much or as little as they desire. Many reviews emphasize the fantastic and amazing nature of the breakfast with some guests pointing out the involvement of locally sourced produce which enhances the overall dining experience. Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, there is one mention of an underwhelming breakfast, but this seems to be an outlier.
In summary, Helen Browning's Royal Oak provides a remarkable breakfast experience that stands out for its quality, variety and use of fresh, local ingredients.
Dinner
Guests at Helen Browning's Royal Oak have shared overwhelmingly positive feedback about their dining experiences. Many praised the food, describing it as superb, exceptional and delicious. The variety and quality of dinner choices stood out with several guests noting the plentiful and well-presented dishes made with fresh, local produce. The atmosphere in the pub and restaurant was frequently highlighted as a complement to the excellent meals.
Highlights from the reviews often mention the pub's effective use of locally sourced ingredients, including those from the on-site farm, which added a unique touch to the dining experience. Guests found both dinner and breakfast to be outstanding, repeatedly emphasizing the fantastic and fabulous nature of the food. The combination of delicious food and a charming setting clearly made a significant impact, resulting in many diners feeling thoroughly satisfied with their meals.
Rooms
Nestled in a quiet village, Helen Browning's Royal Oak offers an exquisite experience with rooms that are a true highlight. Guests repeatedly praise the beautiful and thoughtfully laid out accommodations, noted for their outstanding quality and immaculate cleanliness. Visitors find the décor stunning and the furnishing contemporary and stylish.
The bathrooms receive special mention for being scrupulously clean and luxurious, enhancing the overall comfort. Beds are described as extremely comfy with some rooms featuring additional amenities like a huge bathtub and a coffee machine, further elevating the stay.
Room sizes vary with several guests noting spacious and large rooms, while others mention compact but well-utilized spaces. Despite an occasional noise issue due to plumbing, the overall experience remains overwhelmingly positive. The rooms' quirks and unique layouts add to their charm and the emphasis on eco-details resonates well with visitors.
In summary, Helen Browning's Royal Oak impresses with its spotless, well-presented and comfortable rooms, complemented by super-friendly staff and great food, making it a highly recommended stay.
Beds
The beds at Helen Browning's Royal Oak receive high praise for their exceptional comfort. Guests consistently note the beds as comfortable with many emphasizing the large size and the quality of the mattresses. Descriptions frequently highlight the beds as being big with some specifically appreciating the king-size options. A notable number of reviews describe the beds as very comfy or extremely comfy, likening the mattresses to those from home. Although there was a mention of one bed not being as comfortable as desired, the overarching sentiment suggests that most visitors find the beds at Helen Browning's Royal Oak to be a highlight of their stay, due to their comfort and size.
Cleanliness
Helen Browning's Royal Oak consistently receives high praise for its cleanliness. Guests frequently highlight that both the rooms and bathrooms are very clean, often describing them as immaculate and spotlessly clean. The quality of the furnishings is also noted, contributing to an overall impression of a well-maintained and highly comfortable environment. Multiple reviews mention the fresh and clean bedding, adding to the general sense of cleanliness and comfort. Additionally, the hotel staff are described as welcoming, which enhances the guests' experience. The combination of excellent facilities with scrupulous attention to cleanliness makes Helen Browning's Royal Oak a standout choice for travelers seeking a clean and comfortable stay.
Staff
Helen Browning's Royal Oak boasts an exceptional reputation for its staff, who are consistently praised for their friendliness and helpfulness. The welcoming nature of the staff is a recurring highlight with many guests noting the warm reception and attentive service they received. Descriptors such as fantastic, charming and amazing frequently appear in reviews, underscoring the positive interactions visitors experience. The young staff are noted for their enthusiasm and efficiency, while management and owners also garner commendations for excellent customer service. In an inviting location complemented by excellent home-produced food, the consistently friendly and accommodating team ensures that nothing is too much trouble, making every stay memorable and enjoyable. Whether chatting with guests or simply ensuring a smooth experience, the staff clearly take a genuine interest in their roles, contributing significantly to the overall appeal of the hotel.
4 Star
Helen Browning's Royal Oak has garnered high praise for its exceptional service and stylish design. There's a consensus that the hotel stands out from the crowd, providing an experience not to be missed. Guests found nothing to dislike and felt that nothing could be improved, describing the place as fantastic and even awarding it a 5-star rating. Situated in an ideal location close to Swindon but nestled in the countryside, it offers the perfect blend of convenience and tranquility. The attentive staff ensures that nothing is too much trouble for them, making each stay—whether first-time or repeat—a memorable one. Accommodations meet guests' expectations, contributing to their overall satisfaction with their stay.
No, Helen Browning's Royal Oak doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Helen Browning's Royal Oak.
Yes, Helen Browning's Royal Oak welcomes dogs. For more information, read the answers to the Dog Friendly questionnaire
No, parking facilities aren't available at Helen Browning's Royal Oak.
No, Helen Browning's Royal Oak doesn't have a gym.