If you’re looking for a stylish country pub with a fantastic selection of craft beers and wines and that serves gastropub food then you’ve found it here.

The Royal Oak is in the chocolate box pretty village of Yattendon, West Berkshire, a short drive from the M4 and A34. It sits within Lord Iliffe’s 9,000-acre estate surrounded by fields and woodland. It very much describes itself as a locals pub, but the locals in this neck of the woods are whip smart and know good grub when it hits them in the lamb chops.

The red brick exterior suggests a warm, rural charm within. And it doesn’t disappoint. The pub extended in recent years to add The Orangery – a contemporary dining area with a bird’s eye view into the kitchen. The original bit of the pub retains its exposed beams and open fires and there are three private dining rooms (seating 8, 12 and 40 people) and a lounge area with squishy sofas and chairs to sink back a few G&Ts in front of yet another fire. The atmosphere is relaxed,  confident and cosy.

Love eating and drinking al fresco? The Royal Oak has one of my favourite gardens in the county. A pretty walled space with pergola, cottagecore planting and plenty of outside seating.

Once settled in here, you’ll struggle to get up. Good job they have 10 boutique rooms (all with gun cabinets) if you want to scoff, quaff and stagger to bed. They’ve also won the coveted Muddy Award for Best Boutique Stay. The breakfast here is legendary, so it’s worth booking up just to try it. Dog friendly, child friendly – it’s friendly all round.