Restoring (pale) oak table

[noarguments]

Our (new to us) solid oak kitchen table has seen some use, and there are various water and other marks on the top, and the golden colour has faded I'm clueless about up cycling - can someone tell me what to do - I'm thinking rub it down gently with sandpaper, but then do we use a wax or something to bring back the colour and protect the wood?
Thank you!

Yes to sanding along the grain, start with coarser then work down to a medium grit sandpaper. Don't be tempted to go too fine or it will mean the grain is too closed and won't take the oil or wax you use as well. I'd recommend Osmo hard wax polyx oil. We have it on our oak worktops and it's great - you do two coats, the first has to dry for 12 hours, so overnight is a good idea, and the second for four hours. Clean down with meths once you've finished sanding and before you oil. Bear in mind that anything you use on the wood will slightly darken it, but Osmo isn't as noticeable as things like Danish oil ime. Every six months or so, clean the table top and re-oil to keep it water resistant.

If you wanted to darken the wood, say to match something else, you could use a wood dye after sanding and before you oil.

you could try oxalic acid (wood bleach). It's amazing stuff. Ive used it outside on sleepers that were covered in black marks and it takes the marks off completely and very easily.

I second the Osmo suggestion

Please do before and after pics!