The Royal Oak in Wantage is a traditional street-corner pub that belies its ordinary external appearance. Inside, its two bars are host to that perfect pub combination - good beers and good company, the mixture cemented by the landlord Paul Hexter, his wife Frankie and the long-serving staff. Although real ale is one of the Oak's supreme characteristics, it is equally popular with those who drink lager (including Hoegaarden on draught) or any of the other alcoholic concoctions available these days. Paul is also a connoisseur of wine, whisky (with his own labelled malt) and brandy.

Paul has owned the Oak for some 19 years, before which it was a Courage tied house (surrounded by a sea of Morlands). It was previously run by a landlord who had served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, which accounts for the fact that the present pub sign commemorates battleships of that name, rather than - as is more common - the tree in which Charles II is reputed to have hid. Since then, the pub has been a regular fixture in Camra's Good Beer Guide, and is a popular meeting place for the local Vale of White Horse Branch, and neighbouring West Berkshire and Oxford branches.

In February 1993 the West Berks branch announced that it had temporarily annexed that part of Berkshire that had been transferred to Oxfordshire in Heath's unpopular local government reorganisation in 1974, so that it could award it the accolade of West Berkshire pub of the month. It had previously been voted Oxford branch's pub of the month in April 1984 and its pub of the year the same year.

When local Wantage and Abingdon drinkers decided to form a sub-branch of Camra (the Vale of White Horse Branch), it was voted pub of the season in winter 1994/5, and pub of the year in 1998. It was then put forward for the regional finals, winning the accolade of Southern Region Camra Pub of the Year.

Paul and Frankie Hexter receiving the award for Southern Region Camra Pub of the year 1999.

The Oak is not a foodie pub, it has no pretensions or graces, except for the finest of British beers, served in peak condition. However, a pub is not just about beer, it is about people. That is why there is a hard core of locals who may drop in perhaps nightly, or weekly, or even less frequently - but who know that they will be assured of the same welcome, excellent ales and conversation. (A drinker who apologised to Paul for not having been in for a few months was told not to worry - 'We're like the surgery - here when you need us.')

Customers from former years who have strayed to other parts or even continents are greeted just as warmly when they are drawn back. The occasional visitor will be assured of a similar welcome, and not made to feel an intruder in some exclusive club. If not sure of the ales on offer, Paul and the staff will gladly provide advice and even tasters, or suggest what is especially worth drinking that night.

The Oak is also a pub that puts something back into the community. Frankie regularly organises sponsored events for worthwhile causes, whether it be 24-hour paddleathons in a specially created Caribbean corner in the lounge, or cycle rides on exercise bikes. No great fuss is made - but the locals are glad to take part or contribute - it's that sort of pub - and community.