James May Confirms Royal Oak Will Never Stock Clarkson’s Signature Brew
James May gives huge update over pub after Jeremy Clarkson decision
James May firmly stated that says his pub won’t be stocking Clarkson’s signature brand Hawkstone beer at his Wiltshire pub, the Royal Oak
Like his former Top Gear and Grand Tour cohort Jeremy Clarkson, James May has opened a pub. He told Radio X’s Chris Moyles that his Wiltshire pub, The Royal Oak, is now turning a profit and can “wipe its own face” while relying on local produce.
“The margins are small, but the pub can survive,” he said. With so many pubs closing down across the country, James said he felt that he needed to protect his local: “It was a selfless act of charity on my part,” he joked.
“It wasn’t necessarily going to close down, but there was a threat of redevelopment, and they didn’t have any other obvious buyers. I soon found out why.
“I did worry that life in the countryside would be meaningless if there wasn’t a pub within walking distance — which there wouldn’t be. So, we bought it and then we shut it immediately because of COVID.”
But while James has used his own money to support his local boozer, there’s one thing he won’t support: Jeremy Clarkson’s beer.
James May – The Royal Oak Swallowcliffe Salisbury Wiltshire(Image: Instagram/ @theroyaloak.swallowcliffe)
Asked by Moyles whether The Royal Oak sells James May Gin — the presenter’s own craft gin brand — James enthusiastically confirmed that it does. But when Moyles added, “Does it sell Clarkson’s booze?” James firmly said, “No.”
James doesn’t think he’s going to be invited to The Great British Farm-Fest — a huge celebration of Britain’s farmers, their craft, and their way of life — which is set to take place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire in May 2026.
Saying he hadn’t heard of the event before this week, James added that it seemed strange that Clarkson had sited the event on the 300-acre showground and not at Diddly Squat Farm: “Isn’t that like having a party at someone else’s house?” he asked.
James says his pub doesn’t stock Clarkson’s signature brand Hawkstone Lager(Image: Radio X)
As Moyles suggested that Clarkson was a “genius” for staging the event on someone else’s land to avoid the responsibility of clearing up afterwards, James said: “Maybe he will invite me. Or maybe he’s decided I’m barred.”
James is already barred from Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog — possibly because his own boozer has a better rating on Tripadvisor. “He makes a big thing about saying I’m barred,” says James.
Admitting that he and Clarkson used to fantasise about opening their own pubs back in their Top Gear days, he added that being barred from The Farmer’s Dog doesn’t bother him: “It’s like being barred from the golf club – I didn’t want to go anyway!”
James admits he and Clarkson used to fantasise about opening a pub together(Image: PA)
“Nobody’s barred from mine,” James added. “It’s a much more liberal establishment.
“We welcome discussion and disagreement and all those things pubs are supposed to be for. And obviously I’d say this, but it’s a nice pub with a superb range of gins!”
If he’s not offered a free pass to Farm-Fest, James will have to buy tickets like the rest of us when they go on sale at the end of this month.
As well as a personal appearance from presenter-turned-farmer Jeremy Clarkson, The Great British Farm-Fest will also feature guests such as Lisa Hogan, Kaleb Cooper, Charlie Ireland, Adam Henson, Matt Tebbutt, and dozens of farmers, musicians, chefs, and artisans
