Christmas is Coming to The Royal Oak

This Christmas, step into the warmth of The Royal Oak. From festive dining with friends and family to our first Christmas Day celebration, there is plenty to look forward to in North Gorley.

As the New Forest settles into winter, we are preparing for a season of good food, seasonal drinks and gatherings around the table. Whether it is a long-awaited catch-up, an evening with colleagues or time together over Christmas, we would love to welcome you to The Oak.

Our Head Chef, Dave, has put together a festive menu that brings together Christmas favourites and a few Royal Oak touches. There is also a full calendar of December events, from cocktails and our charity quiz to a New Year’s Eve celebration.

Gather round for our Festive Menu

From 23 November to Christmas Eve, our Festive Set Menu offers an opportunity to celebrate the season without waiting until the big day itself. Whether you are planning a meal for two or bringing a larger group together, choose from two or three courses and settle in for a leisurely Christmas meal.

Expect traditional flavours alongside something a little different. The menu includes a turkey ballotine with cranberry filling, slow-braised beef blade, seared seabream and a woodland mushroom Wellington. To finish, there is Christmas pudding, dark chocolate mousse and other seasonal desserts.

Explore the Festive Menu

Our first Christmas Day at The Royal Oak

This year marks our first Christmas Day at The Royal Oak. We are looking forward to welcoming guests for a special five-course celebration, beginning with canapés and fizz on arrival.

The menu has been designed to give everyone something to look forward to. Choose from starters including Jerusalem artichoke velouté and crab and crayfish cocktail, followed by a refreshing sorbet. Main courses include roasted turkey and partridge ballotine, venison, halibut and a roasted cauliflower steak, with seasonal vegetables served for the table.

There will be a choice of desserts, traditional Christmas pudding among them, followed by coffee and a festive truffle. Above all, it is a chance to sit back, enjoy the company and leave the preparations to us.

Christmas Day availability is limited, so please contact the team on 01425 652 244 if you would like to enquire about a table.

View the Christmas Day Menu

Festive cocktails, quizzes and evenings together

Christmas at The Oak is about more than a meal. We have a busy programme of events planned, with our regular favourites taking on a festive feel and plenty of reasons to gather friends for an evening out.

See out the year with Glitz & Glam

On Thursday 31 December, we will be welcoming the New Year with our Glitz & Glam celebration. Dress for the occasion and join us for an evening of signature cocktails, music and dancing as we count down to 2027.

Our New Year’s Eve celebrations will continue until 1am. If you would like to dine before the party, food will be served from 12pm to 3pm and 5pm to 8.30pm.

Christmas in North Gorley

There is no shortage of reasons to visit the New Forest at this time of year. Stop in for a drink after a winter walk, join us for Christmas Eve, or make a date for Boxing Day when we will be serving a selection of sharing platters.

Our festive opening hours vary between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, so please check the Christmas page before visiting. We recommend booking ahead if you are planning to dine with us.