Stuck out on the end of Green Street Green next to a busy road, the Royal Oak is not ideally placed aesthetically but, like the house in Up, it’s the kind of building that could warm the heart in any surroundings.

It’s a big and exceedingly pretty oasthouse that you’d dream of attaching balloons to and floating off into more rural Kent.

Not that Green Street Green isn’t nice, of course.

The Royal Oak is as charming inside as out. It’s low-ceiling entrance presents thick beams and an authentic old-country feel.  There are comfy wingback chairs and solid tables in the bar area and a general feeling that everything is solid, just as you would expect from somewhere with ‘oak’ in the name.

It turns out that this is more of a restaurant than a pub, sadly, with much of the mammoth interior dedicated to diners and drinkers hived off to the side.

Again, that’s not to say it’s not a decent restaurant – in fact, I can attest to its qualities. The menu is long, impressive and not too fussy and my fish pie was sensational and didn’t skimp on the filling.

Just don’t go expecting a proper boozer.

Because it’s set up more like a restaurant, we had to wait a few seconds for service while a waitress nipped behind the bar.

The bar itself had sufficient options but they were all pretty standard – Old Speckled Hen and Doom Bar were the picks.

Despite the foodie-focus, The Royal Oak is a pleasing place to sit with a pint. It is big building and the chunky beams create lots of intimate little nooks for you to hide in so you feel able to chatter away in comfort.

The Royal Oak, High Street, Green Street Green

How it rated:

Decor **** Very attractive

Atmosphere ** Good, for a restuarant

Staff *** Pretty good but set up to serve food

Food **** A good feed

Drink *** Sufficient variety

Price *** Middling