Inside James May's charming country pub

It has been a few years since James May decided to co-own the Royal Oak pub in the tiny village of Swallowcliffe. It has had a bit of a refresh since you guys last saw it, so let James take you for a quick tour around his pride and joy.
Check out the pub here: www.royaloaksw...
Sync ID: MB01VWOGZXAYRBK

[@daygon128]

Imagine watching Top Gear in the 2000's and being told that Jeremy would end up owning and operating a farm, Richard would own an auto shop, and James would own a pub. Legends.

[@michelvanbriemen3459]

I reckon most people would've thought the complete opposite, that Jeremy would open a pub, Richard would open a farm, and James would open a classic car restoration shop.

[@daygon128]

@@michelvanbriemen3459 totally agree. It's very surprising given their personalities.

[@GGdude]

I would think that someone from the future was trying to make sure the future became as it is because breaking from it would become ww3. So here we are..

[@joelpabalinas7457]

Clarkson used to say he hates manual labor

[@Rockercaruthonyoutube]

I suppose internet trolls don.t have a life outs8ide of their obssessions. Sad.

[@LewisMcGrath]

I’m one of the locals at this pub, born and bred in the local nearby village. James is honestly such a wonderful man and down to earth, he gets involved with the locals and has a brilliant sense of humour. I see him and speak to him weekly. He’s been amazing for our village, saving our pub, speaks to all the locals and would do anything for anyone. He’s currently repairing an old Hornby Train for me. We’re lucky to have him! I was obsessed with Top Gear growing up, seems so weird that he was on that show, he’s just one of us locals now. Thank you James 💙

[@coulterbruce]

James May is the smartest of the 3. Hammond - Car workshop. Lots of hard work. Clarkson - Farm. Even more hard work. May - Pub. Hang around drinking and relaxing.

[@jackbicknell4711]

I know this is a lighthearted comment, but Clarkson has it right. For all the hard work, farm life sounds like some of the most invigorating, rewarding work that one can do. Imagine how much sweeter the pints must taste to him.

[@coulterbruce]

@@jackbicknell4711 Maybe 30 years ago but Clarkson is 63 and not the healthiest. Farming is a lot to take on when you're close to retirement age.

[@StockportJambo]

@@coulterbruce Gerald is in his 80s and he's still going.

[@jackbicknell4711]

@@coulterbruce Alot to take on indeed, but that is the point of life - to keep the fire alive. When you stop, that is when you begin to waste away and enter a period of managed decline. 63 and still going. A happy man.

[@marchutch]

I wonder how much James May is involved in the day to day decision making. Running a pub looks like an exhausting job to me!

[@rckrckrckrck]

Stayed there for almost a week. The manager, chef, and staff are so lovely. Amazing food and hospitality.

[@guth21776]

Did you see James

[@Cinderella170]

Can absolutly agree.

[@rckrckrckrck]

@@guth21776 missed him by a day sadly

[@TheFlygonproductions]

I'd wager it's quite spenny? Not that that's an issue when it's a nice Wiltshire pub I was just thinking of making plans there.

[@semiedgv]

​@@TheFlygonproductions It's about 180 pounds

[@berca76]

I didn't expect the pub would look this incredible! Loving it James!

[@ZDProds-c8p]

why wouldn't it?

[@benshallcross3596]

Made a special trip to the Royal Oak from Norwich. It was worth every mile of the journey. Love the pub. Staff were amazing and the food outstanding, best chips in the country (no hyperbole)!

[@LeHazy]

if I go and the chips are bad, not just not the best, but bad. Would you be happy to put money against that claim?

[@mataskart9894]

@@LeHazy Considering as everything with food it's probably a matter of taste I don't think he would lol.

[@danmar007]

I would make the trip if I didn't have to cross the Atlantic.

[@sianwarwick633]

I don't cross the ocean to eat chips

[@marchutch]

I often travel the length and breadth of England in search of excellent chips.

[@JohnJohnJohnJohnJohnJohnJohnJo]

Lovely pub there Jimbo

[@EVEMASTER99]

Lovely pub BIM

[@johnhimmel4874]

​@@EVEMASTER99⁵⁵😮😊

[@ElValuador]

@@EVEMASTER99Bim guess what

[@sirlordbabish3873]

Why did he sack Rachael?

[@wideshadyy]

I literally came here 3 days ago, now I see this. It is a truly lovely pub with very kind waitstaff and we only stayed for drinks but they were quick and delicious.

[@user-ng2gd4cc9t]

Beautiful place, love that it supports other local businesses.

[@gangsterbroccoli]

Pubs like this are something I wish we had more of in the US

[@jazzingpanda3190]

My local is a few hundred years old, it’s a bit more run down than this place but still it’s lovely

[@louise7552]

I adore them. ❤

[@krispykremes2482]

James morphing into Billy Connolly in his later years was unexpected but I'm okay with it. Love the pub, classic rural English goodness.

[@camwinston5248]

I can't decide if it's Billy Connolly ,Robert Plant ..or dame Edna ?😆😉..or a combo of all three.

[@uzairharoon4862]

I stopped by this pub in June while I was visiting England. Loved the pub. It was clean and very cozy. Wish I was able to meet James May, maybe next year!

[@freddym99]

An Amazon Prime series called "May's Pub" would be awesome😂

[@ShooterPat]

James May and the people he surrounds himself with are gems. Everyone is so genuine and fun loving. Just brings up that quote anout James May being the most interesting uninteresting man in the world

[@amochswohntet99]

Top Gear was a spectacular success. I’m happy to see you’re enjoying your fortune from it.

[@kat13man]

James May is an old hippy. 1962 may have been before he was born but he's from that time. The Pub is quite Posh. May's time in Italy has turned hime into a rock star. Rock stars are hard to come by lately. Thanks for updating us on the Pub. I was wondering how it was doing. It looks really nice. Much success to you and the Pub.

[@magnusfranzonuvebrant9519]

My dear wife and i arrived for one night on 4th of Dec. last year, ended up staing for longer ’cause it was so ruddy brilliant! Guest at the bar, drink, food, and the staff, all 🌟 Managed to bring a few bottles of James Gin back to Sweden to boot! 11 out of 10♥️ Magnus & Annika.

[@relaxingbuilds1098]

My mums side of the family grew up near there. A beautiful pub, never thought it would be owned by the legend James May

[@drackkor725]

It's about time a show worth watching and winning a guest appearance on :)

[@HenryBrooke1998]

My godmother and I had a drink here last October. Absolutely fabulous location.

[@fredbrackely]

I must say, next time I'm back in England, I'll be paying May's pub a visit. Definitely a better experience than Clarkson's Farm Shop. During my visit last year, I queued in the mud for 3 hours, only to buy a potato for 20 quid, to get a free t-shirt, and my ol' mom told me the cider I bought from the farm exploded in the shed last month!!

[@janelleg597]

sure what you were expecting.. 🤷‍♀️

[@user-zr6rm9jm7r]

Beautifully charming and quite impressive

[@TomEntwistle]

We visited for a lunch in August (2023) and I rate the meal as top class, we really enjoyed it.

[@edwardwilcox6606]

What a nice pub! That `Oak Room` looks terrific & matches all the other improvements made. The frontage looks particlarly inviting & I wish all concerned the very best success in making it a viable & enjoyable business.

[@GuanoLad]

Very nice. If you like this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing you'd like.

[@X2yt]

I've never drank a drop of alcohol in my 30 years of life, but I can't express how much I wanna go there and just sit outside sipping tea and watching the trees outside.

[@raven_of_zoso455]

How can you never have had any liquor when you're 30? Genuinely asking.

[@tinktinkputra2316]

probably religious thing, most of them are odd

[@Mr_Fancypants]

​@@tinktinkputra2316 i'm allmost 30 and just don't like it. I tried different alcohol and even made my own but can never get myself to like it. I dispise cigarettes but i like cigars. It's a strange world.

[@tinktinkputra2316]

@Mr_Fancypants Atleast you've tried it, then you decided you don't like it. That's normal

[@lucashenriquepedrosocabello]

loved the pub, congratulations James

[@Benspi]

Having an AED by the door is a nice touch, well thought out

[@CricketEngland]

It’s their incase Clarkson visits as he will have a heart attach once he sees that they don’t serve his over advertised larger

[@MJJ1390]

A quiz night is exactly the thing I'd expect from a James May pub

[@user-lk4jk5ex9l]

From cars and big trips to a farm, an autoshop and a pub. Still the best.

[@MrDkusa]

James congrats my friend. I know this is your passion and im glad you're living it. Thank you for the many years and continued laughs

[@rikkidee]

What a beautiful pub. Could definitely see myself spending a few nights there. I'd have to leave Australia first. However, bucket list.

[@ebiekem]

Absolutely beautiful

[@wallie1994]

Was here last week, also stayed the night. Loved it, also best food I had in ages. The boules competition was fierce, even when spectating

[@jeannettegilmore3603]

James, I really like you pub!

[@Cinderella170]

We have been there in april. It's an amazing , lovely pub. We had a marvelous time there. Wonderful room and excellent food.

[@pbfamous07]

coolest thing ive seen inn 2023. love it to shreds.

[@J44Y196]

I used to go to this pub regularly with my parents. Bring back the wooden skittles in the garden!

[@andyrcampbell]

Used to deliver bread to this place when I was a kid 40 years ago !

[@corynsboy5814]

you absolutely can grow coriander in the UK. and you should use that bit behind the stacked up tables and garden furniture with all the long grass as a herb bed. Your chefs will thank you.

[@gandalfkenobi007]

What a beautiful venue. Down to earth yet sophisticated. So many stories are going to be created there.

[@tessahall797]

I love the flowers. Such a cozy and inviting pub. I hope to visit one day.

[@ac2244]

James May is living the dream. I love this man.

[@korzonas]

Beautiful pub. The most important thing for me is handpumped or gravity-fed cask ales. After that, everything is icing. I love all the outdoor seating & as an amateur astronomer, I welcome you keeping to dark skies rules. I also appreciate the farm-to-table menu (within 50 miles).You should be able to grow corriander… I’m growing it in the suburbs of Chicago (zone 5b).

[@bobbybigboyyes]

15 - 50 MILES

[@Wooley689]

Even from where I sit, the place has a fabulous feel exuding from it. Perhaps one day when I have the extra funds I can travel there.

[@CJFLUX]

Been here. Absolutely unreal, its worth hours of driving just for dinner.

[@liammasters4605]

James is at the age he was always meant to be

[@alexbarlow8029]

Lovely pub in a nice part of the world , stayed there a few times now, excellent food , excellent service , lovely rooms and you never know who you might bump into , last time we stayed a group of wandering German rally drivers walked in , great bunch of lads , look forward to visiting again👍😀

[@mach_030]

James sir! You look AMAZING!!!

[@jackstrawjr2963]

That is a proper back garden.

[@BenDover-qj5mt]

Thanks for the tour, James. You have a lovely pub.

[@JenniferNefdt-tm5cv]

Lovely place to eat and look at the beautiful artwork

[@dianehepper8764]

Love that you are shopping locally, 👍

[@jamainelapsleyWM]

I love clarkson, may and hammond, theyre pretty much all set for life and have still opted to go back into everyday jobs. Pubs, farms & car workshops, legendary trio of mates

[@ScreaminEmu]

Loved our overnight stay! Our little sausage dog, Ruby, really appreciated the dog menu and doggy welcome gift. Staff were incredible; kind and accommodating. Bed was comfy, bath was fantastic… best fish and chips I think I’ve had in England. We’ll be back!

[@susanyamini]

How beautiful thank you for saving this old pub and making into this 6:25 tasteful place. Gary said the food is 10 out of 10. Definitely planning to visit this place.

[@Big.ham91]

If I come to the UK I would definitely visit your pub, brilliant pub tbh.

[@masterprattu]

Wow. The pub looks absolutely amazing.

[@bobthejober8025]

Played a wedding gig here a few weeks ago, such a nice pub!

[@safaridice]

All three men were immensely talented. James can pilot, so can hammond, clarkson is funny all around. James plays music, hammond is an amazing radio jockey, clarkson has boat license. They are each centers of excellence, all of their achievements xan be attributed to absence of social media and distractions. In today's world, it's difficult to achieve something like this without any motivation

[@jaygomesphoto]

I'm over here in the United States planning a trip to the UK one day and I really want to have a beer at his pub!

[@black8art]

Didn't realise, I've been near there so many times! Just up the road at Fovant, there used to be the WORLD'S foremost expert and producer of parts and tuning expertise, for the Yamaha XS650! (motorcycles!) Tony Hall was the proprietor's name, and his company's name was Halco Tuning! Unfortunately he died in the early 2000's and his company folded, but his legend still lives on!

[@DisruptedSinner]

It looks amazing, James. I hope to visit one day.

[@007kevin24]

"door does still fart" great quote

[@Mark-lj1dj]

Gorgeous pub. If I'm ever in the area I'll pop in for a pint

[@stephendodd606]

James may you have a nice countryside pub Love the look of your pub ❤️🇬🇧👍

[@williamfrancecamera]

Was here for a wedding last week and its absolutely lovely.

[@lunamiku4166]

Man it looks so cozy and bright!!

[@TheGrenadier97]

Absolutely fantastic.

[@shannono8397]

My soul knows James Gin tastes even more enchanting there! Absolutely loved the Art tour, every piece is so beautiful! Yay, we too have a light restriction in Vermont (U.S.) and all adore the star filled skies. Your Pub is very cozy looking and I can't wait to visit it one day & relax among those flowers

[@danthemaninapan]

6:05 As a Yorkshireman, I'd just like to note that "I need to hoover t' garden" translates to 'I need to hoover to the garden'. If we wanted to hoover the garden, we'd say "I need to hoover' garden". We replace "the" with a glottal stop. We replace "to the" with a t'.

[@nickipedley5]

Very nice. There are some lovely walks in the area too.

[@1katotter]

Dont know how, what for or why but we need a series of James’ pub. Game nights, cooking, gin tasting and more.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Thanks for a lovely update on a historic local countryside pub. Now it is a bit of a destination...but for the best of reasons.

[@Lysimachus]

It sounds like it hasn't quite turned out the way he was envisioning (it has a TV, shows sporting events, has a quiz night, and it's still a more primarily focused on food, not drink). But despite his image as a crusty old traditionalist, he has always demonstrated a willingness to adapt, so that's probably what happened.

[@CountDankula0]

It has such a nice feel to it. It's like drinking in an old home. Would love to try it someday

[@brihiggins]

I love how the "new" bench looks 65 years old.

[@ashleytofte1385]

I’m travelling to Plymouth in October and said to the better half we need somewhere half way to spend a night or two and break up the journey. Somehow this video popped up and it’s around half way so booked straight away. Looks great.

[@Rye271]

Its a great pub, perfect ratio of modern and traditional 👍

[@robert-hh2ft]

love james may!!!

[@portman2396]

English country pubs are just the best.

[@robalexander7348]

Thank You James, I Love these old British Pubs, there so unigue 👍 Au

[@OctoberOctopusM]

It is beautiful and the art is tastful. Well done!

[@captainslow007]

Very nice think I might have to pay a visit

[@Invad3rDiz]

can i just say.. that is a beautiful pub

[@susanmundy8037]

Beautiful James ❤

[@billflynn6903]

Something about real LIFE and real BIZ is that it is daily a surprise. Thank You James for your very candid view of 'Not the Farm'. Tough to keep up with you youngsters.

[@iraklirazmadze5391]

Awesome. Well done sir ❤🎉🫡 and best wishes from 🇬🇪Georgia.

[@kamuigamer1426]

what a nice little pub... my kind a place... maybe i ll visit next time i am in the uk...

[@BenBulks]

I miss these, need more of them!

[@roystonvasey5471]

A perfect panacea to the inexorable march of those pubs beginnning with W.

[@sianwarwick633]

Let's go to this one ! Then we can go to the other ones that don't exist

[@TheColosiss]

James May is simply living a dream. I have a suspicion that there may be a special smoking section too...

[@jchristophem4406]

I want to stay there. Looks great.

[@Samrat-hm2qu]

It's cozy man i would love to have great experience in that amazing pub. Beer with mates. 🍺

[@richards7909]

What a great looking pub!

[@killsquidengage5517]

Since my local burnt down, this is now my local pub...Still haven't run into May though

[@caryeddy6928]

I like everything about this! Looks very charming .

[@botrbro]

Stayed there in 2022. Dinner and breakfast were great. Several James Gin were a treat as well.

[@christophermaer8880]

I think James had done well with his pub and l hope to visit his pub in the future

[@frankpickrell]

Beautiful pub!

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Great video James, The pub looks amazing