Jeremy Clarkson’s pub, which opened 18 months ago, has quickly risen to prominence as the most popular establishment in the UK. Despite facing challenges and delays during the planning stages, Clarkson finally obtained permission to launch the pub in 2024, a journey that was captured on his reality show, Clarkson’s Farm.
Interestingly, Clarkson is not the only former host of Top Gear who owns a pub in the UK. James May, his former co-star, also operates a pub located just a couple of hours away from Clarkson’s establishment. Intrigued by their connection to Top Gear and The Grand Tour, we decided to compare the two pubs by visiting both on the same day.
Our first stop was James May’s pub in the village of Swallowcliffe in Wiltshire, conveniently located near Salisbury and Stonehenge. The Royal Oak, despite being owned by a famous broadcaster, exuded a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, attracting both locals and visitors. We savored a delightful array of starters, including homemade bread and crispy feta with figs and pesto, followed by mains like beer-battered fish and chips and a gourmet burger with gorgonzola rarebit.
The menu at James May’s pub offered a variety of reasonably priced dishes, except for the extravagant locally produced Chateaubriand of Wiltshire beef. The pub’s charm and delicious food made it a hit among patrons, offering a pleasant dining experience without the need for extensive reservation lead times.
In contrast, our visit to Jeremy Clarkson’s pub, the Farmer’s Dog, required booking six weeks in advance, with limited availability even on weekdays. Situated in Oxfordshire, the pub boasted a sprawling site with various amenities, including an outdoor pub featuring merchandise from Clarkson’s shows, The Farmer’s Puppy for casual dining, and The Farmer’s Dough stall offering freshly baked goods.
Despite the exclusive ambiance and meticulous service at the Farmer’s Dog, the limited menu options were noticeable, focusing mainly on locally sourced ingredients but offering similar dishes. The high-quality food, such as the Cotswold lamb and mint sausage and The Farmer’s Dog Caesar Salad, impressed us, but the lack of variety might deter some patrons seeking more diverse choices.
Concluding our culinary journey, we indulged in a delicious poached rhubarb crumble cake at the Farmer’s Dog, encapsulating the essence of autumn flavors. While both pubs excelled in different aspects, Jeremy Clarkson’s establishment stood out for its overall experience and culinary offerings, rivaling James May’s traditional pub charm with a more upscale dining atmosphere.
In essence, while James May’s pub captured the essence of a quintessential British pub, Jeremy Clarkson’s venue leaned towards a restaurant setting, lacking certain pub essentials like sofas and screens for entertainment. Each pub offered a unique experience, catering to diverse preferences and showcasing the individual personalities of the former Top Gear hosts.
