‘I Visited James May’s Wiltshire Pub and One Thing Really Impressed Me’

Following in the footsteps of his Grand Tour co-star Jeremy Clarkson, James May has made his mark on the pub scene — but with a very different motivation. In 2020, May bought a stake in The Royal Oak, an 18th-century, community-owned pub located in the small village of Swallowcliffe, Salisbury, Wiltshire. Unlike Clarkson’s bustling Farmer’s Dog in Oxfordshire, which draws large weekend crowds, May’s pub quietly serves its local community.

Phil Carr, known for his witty and candid reviews of UK towns and businesses, recently visited The Royal Oak and shared his experience on TikTok. He noted that many celebrities purchase pubs mainly as indulgent side projects or property investments. However, James May acquired The Royal Oak out of genuine concern: the village was losing its last local pub, and May, a part-time resident, didn’t want that to happen. Speaking to Country and Town House, May explained, “Buying it was the only way to ensure there would be. I don’t take any money out of it. I take the view that it’s like owning a nice painting or sculpture – you own it for self-gratification.”

Phil described the pub as “pretty cut off,” which contributes to its charm. He stayed overnight for £175 in a “mid-level room,” which he found quaint and comfortable. Breakfast was included, softening the cost and setting a positive tone for the day. Around the village, it became clear that the pub is the heart of the small community, which boasts just 174 residents, alongside its church and surrounding fields.

What stood out most to Phil was the food. The Royal Oak didn’t bustle with crowds like Clarkson’s establishment, but it offered something different — quality. When fellow creator Ann Russell joined him, she highlighted James May’s gin, launched in 2021, featuring a distinctive blend of parsnip and Asian spices. Ann described it as “rather nice.”

But the true highlight was the meal. Phil praised the food highly, recalling ordering a spread of dishes — bread, cured trout, soufflé, sirloin steak, Panna Cotta, and Semifreddo — along with a pint of beer. The bill came to £104.64, an amount Phil felt was “more than a fair exchange” for the quality experienced. He was equally impressed by the breakfast.

Phil concluded: “Don’t come here for a week on holiday or honeymoon, but do stop in for a night if you’re on your way to the West Country or visiting nearby Stonehenge. James did a great thing securing a community pub, and they’ve repaid him by making it really very good.”