James May serves up doggy dishes at his pub The Royal Oak, offering pooches everything from Sunday roasts to fish and chips

James May serves up doggy dishes at his pub The Royal Oak, offering pooches everything from Sunday roasts to fish and chips

As a long-time pub enthusiast and dog lover, I am absolutely thrilled to see James May stepping up his game with the introduction of a canine menu at The Royal Oak. Having spent countless hours in various establishments over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the joy that a friendly, pet-friendly atmosphere brings to both patrons and their furry companions.


At his pub The Royal Oak, James May is currently offering meals for dogs following the introduction of a canine-friendly menu.

Previously known as the host of Top Gear, now aged 61, manages a local pub in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire, ensuring that all canine visitors are sufficiently fed.

James now provides dogs with several meal options, ranging from Sunday roasts and fish-and-chips dishes to sausages specifically for dogs (doggy sausages).

Four-legged friends can also enjoy an alcoholic beverage, as Bark Brew beer and Paw Star Dog Martinis are now available for them.

On Sundays, both the roast meals and fish & chips are priced at £6.50 apiece. Meanwhile, each serving of sausages or drink is limited to a maximum of £3.

James May serves up doggy dishes at his pub The Royal Oak, offering pooches everything from Sunday roasts to fish and chips

James May serves up doggy dishes at his pub The Royal Oak, offering pooches everything from Sunday roasts to fish and chips

One customer said: ‘I did not expect to actually see James May wandering about so of course had to grab a photo with him. He was surprisingly shy but maybe I caught him at a bad time. 

The team was exceptionally kind and inviting, and we can’t wait to return next year for another wonderful experience. It’s worth mentioning that Ian was especially excited because the place is pet-friendly and even offers a special menu for dogs.

Alina commented, “Disregard any influence from its minor celebrity ties and view this spot simply as an ideal combination of a small inn, gourmet pub, and local gathering place.

Jonathan mentioned that the pub has a charming, rustic ambiance, making it feel like an old cottage or barn, with a warm, inviting atmosphere. The staff are courteous and accommodating, and while the food menu may be limited, there are excellent options available.

One person mentioned that dogs are always welcomed, making the restaurant even more delightful, despite not owning any dogs themselves. It contributes to a warm, joyous, and laid-back ambiance.

In February, James shared his insights about thriving in the bar business: it’s essential to keep the restrooms tidy and offer quality food.

In other words, if they don’t adapt, those bars risk losing visitors and their financial resources. The ones hesitant to change may find themselves facing failure.

James, one of the proprietors at The Royal Oak located in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire, remarked that there’s been a decline in pub-goers recently and pointed out how significantly the landscape has shifted over the last few decades.

James May serves up doggy dishes at his pub The Royal Oak, offering pooches everything from Sunday roasts to fish and chips
James May serves up doggy dishes at his pub The Royal Oak, offering pooches everything from Sunday roasts to fish and chips
James May serves up doggy dishes at his pub The Royal Oak, offering pooches everything from Sunday roasts to fish and chips
James May serves up doggy dishes at his pub The Royal Oak, offering pooches everything from Sunday roasts to fish and chips

He mentioned that he’s given the matter some thought, and in today’s context, a great pub should offer quality meals as well.

In the heart of London, I’ve found a trifecta of local gems – my waterfront haunts in Hammersmith, Chiswick, and Fulham. These aren’t just any pubs; they boast prime locations that make them truly special. The best part? They each have delightful outdoor spaces perfect for soaking up the summer sun.

However, my opinion is that for pubs to persist in the future, they must evolve with the times and offer a variety of activities.

‘There are too many pubs. There are people who complain when a pub shuts down, but it has closed because it was not good enough to survive.’ 

James May serves up doggy dishes at his pub The Royal Oak, offering pooches everything from Sunday roasts to fish and chips
James May serves up doggy dishes at his pub The Royal Oak, offering pooches everything from Sunday roasts to fish and chips

The latest menu update follows the opening of The Farmer’s Dog pub, which is owned by his TV co-host and friend Jeremy Clarkson, in Burford, Oxfordshire.

The celebrity mentioned on the screen expressed his aspiration for The Farmer’s Dog venture to thrive, though he noted that limiting himself to exclusively British produce would significantly reduce potential profits.

He mentioned that converting pork from his Diddly Squat farm into sausages, which he’d sell at the pub, would cost approximately 0.74p per item.

But if he used imported pig meat it would be 0.18p.

Jeremy pointed out that it costs approximately 0.74 pence for locally sourced sausages compared to just 0.18 pence for imported pork meat. This disparity, he suggested, indicates an issue within our nation’s food system.

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2024-09-09 21:34

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