The Royal Oak

8.8
Excellent
(476 reviews)

Pook Ln, East Lavant, Chichester PO18 0AX, United Kingdom

+44 1243 527434

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Hotel Description

Nestled in the picturesque countryside of East Lavant, The Royal Oak is an upscale 19th-century country pub offering a refined yet cozy escape in the heart of West Sussex. Located at Pook Ln, East Lavant, Chichester PO18 0AX, United Kingdom, this charming property sits just 2 miles from the world-renowned Goodwood Racecourse and 4 miles from the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum. The hotel’s idyllic location within easy reach of both historical landmarks and natural beauty, provides guests with a tranquil retreat while also allowing access to nearby cultural and recreational attractions. The Royal Oak exudes a warm and polished atmosphere, with its inviting pub interior and sophisticated rooms, making it the perfect blend of traditional and contemporary comforts. Whether you're visiting for a countryside escape or attending a thrilling race at Goodwood, this country pub is an excellent choice for a relaxing stay.The hotel features five beautifully appointed rooms, each offering a unique blend of comfort and elegance. The rooms are individually designed with a mix of traditional charm and modern conveniences, such as Egyptian cotton sheets, en suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks. Some rooms even boast exposed beams, adding to the rustic charm of the inn. Whether you’re on a romantic getaway or a family trip, The Royal Oak’s rooms provide the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploration. For those seeking more privacy and space, there are also three cottages available, each offering a home-away-from-home experience with additional comfort and amenities.Guests can indulge in an exceptional dining experience at the hotel’s sophisticated restaurant, which serves modern British cuisine crafted with the finest locally sourced ingredients. The refined atmosphere of the restaurant makes it an ideal venue for both casual and special occasions. For those who prefer a more relaxed setting, the rustic pub provides a cozy retreat with a beer garden, perfect for enjoying a cold drink on a sunny day or spending an evening in front of the roaring fire. The hotel’s bar is well-loved by guests, praised for its welcoming vibe and well-curated selection of beverages.The Royal Oak also offers several standout amenities that enhance the guest experience. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi throughout the property, ensuring that guests can stay connected during their stay. The property is smoke-free, offering a clean and comfortable environment for everyone. A delicious breakfast is served every morning, included in the stay, ensuring guests start their day off right. The property offers free parking, so guests can easily explore the surrounding areas without worrying about parking fees. While there is no fitness center or spa on-site, the hotel’s inviting atmosphere and proximity to outdoor activities in the South Downs National Park ensure that guests can enjoy both relaxation and adventure during their stay.As for transportation and accessibility, The Royal Oak is ideally located to take advantage of the surrounding area. With good public transportation options nearby, guests can easily reach famous sites in Chichester and beyond. For those flying into the area, London Gatwick Airport is only a 1-hour taxi ride away, and other airports such as Heathrow and Southampton are also within reasonable reach. For those traveling by train, the local station is just a short walk away, making it easy to explore the surrounding countryside and nearby towns.Health and safety are top priorities at The Royal Oak. The property adheres to all required health protocols and measures to ensure the safety of its guests. Cleanliness is maintained at the highest standards, and the hotel takes additional precautions to offer a safe and comfortable environment for all guests.While staying at The Royal Oak, guests have plenty of activities to enjoy in and around Chichester. Popular nearby attractions include Goodwood House, a magnificent 17th-century stately home featuring art collections and gardens, and the historic Weald and Downland Living Museum, which offers a glimpse into rural life from the 14th to the 20th century. Other nearby points of interest include the stunning Chichester Cathedral and Fishbourne Roman Palace, both rich in history and culture. The South Downs National Park is also just a short drive away, offering beautiful landscapes for hiking, cycling, and wildlife watching.Guests can also enjoy a wide variety of dining options within a short distance of the hotel. The Royal Oak itself offers a delicious menu, but guests can also venture out to nearby restaurants such as The Earl of March, offering fine dining, or The Goodwood Bar & Grill, which serves delicious British fare. For a more casual meal, Harvester Barn Chichester offers family-friendly dining, and Bill’s Chichester Restaurant serves hearty British meals in a relaxed atmosphere.Whether you are visiting for the racing events at Goodwood or looking to explore the rich history and scenic beauty of the area, The Royal Oak offers a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and charm. With a welcoming atmosphere, excellent amenities, and a prime location, it promises a memorable stay for all types of travelers. Come and experience the warm hospitality of The Royal Oak, where a truly special country getaway awaits.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Conveniently located 2 miles from Goodwood Racecourse and central Chichester

2. Charming 19th-century country pub with refined decor and traditional charm

3. Luxurious rooms with Egyptian cotton sheets, free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and flat-screen TVs

4. On-site refined restaurant serving modern British cuisine with locally sourced ingredients

5. Rustic pub with a cozy beer garden, ideal for enjoying drinks by the fire

6. Free parking for guests and complimentary breakfast each morning

7. Near popular attractions such as Weald and Downland Museum and Chichester Cathedral

8. Outdoor activities available in the nearby South Downs National Park

9. Easy access to nearby restaurants like The Earl of March and The Goodwood Bar & Grill

10. Close proximity to public transportation options and major airports including London Gatwick


6.8 Good

Location rating

Top sights

Weald & Downland Living Museum
7 min
Chichester Cathedral
8 min
Goodwood House
6 min
Pallant House Gallery
10 min
Fishbourne Roman Palace
9 min

Nearest locations

The Earl Of March
3 min
Harvester Barn Chichester
6 min
The Goodwood Bar & Grill
6 min
The Pass Street Food Cafe
6 min
Yeates Catering
7 min
Bill's Chichester Restaurant
8 min
Carluccio's
8 min
Côte Chichester
10 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in15:00
Check-out11:00
Location rating6.8
Nearest airportSouthampton Airport
Travel time to airport45 min

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

Check-in: Fri, Dec 06
Check-out: Sat, Dec 07
    Vio.com

    $144

    Hotels.com

    $152

    Booking.com

    $156

    Agoda

    $156

    goseek.com

    $144

    Traveloka.com

    $154


Location

Pook Ln, East Lavant, Chichester PO18 0AX, United Kingdom

Airports:

Heathrow Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 28 min

Transit: 3 hr 6 min

London City Airport

Taxi: 2 hr 1 min

Transit: 3 hr 13 min

London Luton Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 59 min

Transit: 3 hr 29 min

London Stansted Airport

Taxi: 2 hr 20 min

Transit: 3 hr 53 min

London Gatwick Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 7 min

Transit: 2 hr 2 min

Southampton Airport

Taxi: 45 min

Transit: 2 hr 4 min

London Southend Airport

Taxi: 2 hr 16 min

Transit: 4 hr 5 min

Transit:

St Nicholas's Church

Walking: 15 min

Pook Lane

Walking: 12 min

Fishbourne

Taxi: 7 min

Walking: 1 hr 6 min

The Earl of March

Walking: 11 min

Chichester

Taxi: 11 min

Walking: 1 hr 4 min


Nearby locations

6.8

Good Location

This upscale, polished 19th-century country pub is 2 miles from both Goodwood Racecourse and central Chichester, and 4 miles from the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum.

Top Attractions

Top Restaurants


Amenities and Facilities

Pets

No pets

Parking & transportation

Parking

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Food & drink

Restaurant

Bar

Breakfast

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools

No hot tub

Rooms

No air conditioning


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

8.6

10 reviews

Wonderful
7
Excellent
1
Good
1
Below Average
0
Not Good
1
Cover Image for Philip Bevan

Philip Bevan

4/5
Four of us went for a meal last evening. I have always liked the pub and its location in East Lavant. I have visited there over several decades and through a number of owners. It has not lost its ambience and charm. It has retained its character as a village pub and provides excellent food, wine and beer. The service was friendly and welcoming. My dog Merlot was also made to feel welcome.Unfortunately 5 of the dishes on the menu were unavailable. However what we had was well presented and very good. We all enjoyed our meals. I had a well cooked medium rare rump steak with excellent chips. The burgers and pasta dish (pumpkin ravioli) were also well received. Thoroughly recommended and it brought back many happy memories for me.

Cover Image for Jon Tishler

Jon Tishler

1/5
The warm welcome was the best of our stay (although the shower was very nice too). The room we were given, number 4, was on initial appearance, very nice. However, unless you are a fan of extremely soft mattresses, ask for a different room. This was impossible to get comfortable on as you sunk towards the floor. The WiFi didn’t work (see photos) and as I only had E or 3G that became quite annoying, especially if you can’t sleep. We had to unplug the fridge as it was so loud as it kept on switching the chiller on and off to maintain its temperature. After a miserable night, we went for breakfast. We ordered porridge and then eggs on toast. The waitress chose to bring everything together so we sent the eggs back. The porridge wasn’t very nice, (very bland), and then the same (now cold) eggs were brought back to us. The service was no more than average and the stay was really disappointing for what we paid.

Cover Image for christabel fowler

christabel fowler

5/5
I stayed in the Royal Oak for one night as I was travelling for business, I have not stayed in the area before so it was a random choice for me, but I was incredibly impressed! I have stayed in 5 star hotels that were not as nice. The attention to detail was incredible in the very spacious lovely room; a cafeteria, kettle, tea and hot chocolate, water and milk in the fridge in the room,. There was even a hot water bottle in the cupboard. Of course an iron and hairdryer and shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and hand cream. There was nothing at all I could have asked for that was not in the room. In addition, the staff were amazing and I only wish I would have arrived in time to have dinner in the pub as the menu looked amazing! This was well beyond my expectations.

Cover Image for Angela Jones

Angela Jones

5/5
Went with friends to enjoy a Sunday roast which certainly did not disappoint. Absolutely delicious. My husband had the date pudding which was very light. I had the crumble, I was not keen on the crumble topping, it was more like a thin layer of crumbled biscuit with oats and almonds. Friends had the poached pear, and both had hard pears and had to use a knife to cut them. Would certainly go back, but would be a bit more carry on my choice of pudding.

Cover Image for Steve Thomson

Steve Thomson

5/5
We have eaten at The Royal Oak in several occasions and are always pleased to return. The food is excellent and generous, the service efficient and friendly and the atmosphere is exactly what we enjoy; a cosy country pub in the colder seasons and a great outdoor area in warmer weather.

Service 5

Location4

Cover Image for Louise Glen

Louise Glen

5/5
We were staying close by & the pub was in walking distance so decided to pop in for lunch. So glad that we did as the food was delicious, all home made. The only downside was the choice of puddings, but that was due to my our particular tastes. The staff were really welcoming & friendly. We sat outside after our food & watched the light aircraft flying over. Highly recommend stopping here if you're passing.

Cover Image for Suzy

Suzy

5/5
Stayed 4 nights in Mulberry cottage, great location, so quiet and cosy. Excellent quality bedding and toiletries. Plenty of tea, filter coffee and milk. The cottage was serviced regularly. Heating and very hot Water all worked well. The pub served us excellent breakfast and evening meals with live music on the Sunday night to accompany supper. Staff in the pub and cleaning the cottage were excellent and nothing was too much trouble. Would highly recommend staying again. Fab dog walks locally and very close to Chichester and the in the South Downs national park.

Cover Image for Scott Price

Scott Price

3/5
We had a lovely room for the night. The room was spacious and the bathroom was huge. The decor was lovely and there was lots of lovely touches that had been made to make you feel very welcome. The food in the restaurant was good although it wasn't consistent. A starter of whitebait and calamari designed to share was way too small. The beetroot salad was huge! Our order wasn't taken correctly and we didn't recieve what we had asked for. We were promised a side that came with what we asked for and this never materialised. We weren't charged extra for the wrong meal. In the morning we had a lovely breakfast and were waived away when we tried to pay a surcharge, only for to be charged later on. Overall, a mixed experience.

Cover Image for Abi

Abi

5/5
Fantastic stay at The Royal Oak, East Lavant. The staff were very friendly&helpful. The food, ambience, cleanliness and surroundings are to a very high standard.BlackBerry cottage was great. Perfect setup for dogs. Area is exceptional. Highly recommend for a weekend away.

Cover Image for Karl Snelling

Karl Snelling

5/5
The Royal Oak is an absolute favourite. Great menu, always friendly, it has the feel of a really village pub plus!Thank you. Lovely relaxing lunch.