My husband was a big fan of the show Top Gear {with the former presenters; Clarkson, May and Hammond} so when he found out we’d be near James May’s pub, The Royal Oak Swallowcliffe, we decided to pop by for lunch.
Oozing with flowers and an amazing thatched roof, this pub in the middle of the countryside was absolutely breathtaking.
Why can’t we have places like this at home? I LOVE England!!!
The pubs here feel more like an extension of someone’s cozy living room rather than an eating establishment.
Slate floors, real cushions, curtains, artwork on the wall and unique furniture, what’s not to love?
Did I mention that pretty much anywhere you go in England when you order tea you get an actual POT of tea? 🙂
It makes me want to order tea everywhere we go just so I can see what kind of pot the tea will arrive in.
The HH ordered the crispy pork belly for his starter.
I ordered the poached apricots. Both were fantastic.
We both ordered the sunday roast which came with sweet potatoes, cabbage and roasted beets under the beef.
Plus a popover, roasted cauliflower and fried potatoes came with the meal as well.
The HH had the sticky toffee pudding for dessert {he raved about it, I thought the one I make was better}.
And I had the panna cotta which was crazy good!
The Royal Oak Swallowcliffe even has a menu for dogs!! {I should have asked to see it.}
Everything, the meal, the setting, the staff was top notch. A real 10/10. If I lived nearby we’d probably eat here once a week.
If you ever find yourself in the area, stop by for a bite. You’ll be so glad you did!!
~Mavis
Cindy R says
Now that was a meal worth having! Everything on the menu looks delicious!
Amy says
If my husband and I traveled to England, James May’s pub would be at the top of our to-do list, too! It looks amazing.
Mimi says
Popover? Not a Yorkshire pudding?
Julia Park Tracey says
That was my question.
Sharon says
I believe a popover is an individual item and Yorkshire pudding in done as a whole sheet pan of the same mixture, baked and then cut into servings
TC says
Yorkshire pudding is often done as an individual item (My mother, grandparents and Aunts always served it this way) as well as a whole pan. However, it is a slightly different texture to a popover, I think Yorkshire pudding is not quite as sweet tasting and also perhaps a little less chewy and crispy. I love yorkshire pudding but find the popovers I have tried are a little more chewy and not to my liking but my HH loves popovers. I guess it is what we grow up with
Lana says
Great place! We had a coffee and sandwich shop that was similar but it closed up. Maybe because most were just buying a coffee and staying for hours. But it was sad when they went. We loved going there for breakfast because it felt like home like you say. One wonders how they care for those gorgeous hanging baskets.
Gardengoddess42 says
Are you planning to visit Jeremy Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog, next? On the A40 near Burford.
Katherine says
Are you going to check out Jeremy Clarkston’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog?