Ancient Oak

Head out to Merry Trees Lane and you'll find the Ancient Oak tucked away in Cottam — the kind of place that doesn't need to shout about itself. It's got that reliable Ember Inns formula down: comfortable booths, a bar that stocks more than lager, and food that actually tastes like someone's bothered. The crowd skews mixed: families doing Sunday lunch, locals propping up the bar, groups of mates after work. Nothing pretentious, nothing trying too hard. Just a proper pub where you can settle in with a pint and actually have a conversation without shouting over some playlist.