Introduction

Honouring the time-tested traditions of a classic inn, The Royal Oak Freehouse at Bigbury has now reopened. The new proprieters, Hugh and Steve Ridgway, are Devon boys, brought up on Stadbury Farm just across the river at Aveton Gifford.

Hugh says, “At the age of four I had my first bottle of ginger beer and packet of Smiths crisps complete with little blue salt bag in The Royal Oak. It’s been our Devon local all our lives and Steve and I just couldn’t stand to see it looking so forlorn in receivership. So we decided to get involved”.

The Ridgways are also the owners of the acclaimed St Moritz Hotel in Cornwall, so they will be bringing their experience to bear on the Bigbury establishment. They have already invested substantially in a fitting refurbishment that echoes the property’s original design and charm, whilst paying homage to the inn’s namesake, HMS Royal Oak.