Once a year, a friend and I journey south for The Scramble, a car show par excellence held at Bicester Heritage. This former RAF site is now home to over 50 speciality automotive businesses and counting. It is a great venue and once again it was an absolute delight to wander around a fine array of cars, in warm autumnal sunshine.

On our last visit, we were lucky enough to dine the evening before at Jeremy Clarkson’s Farmer’s Dog pub and we were keen to repeat the experience. This would not prove to be easy, as the popularity of the now famous dining and watering hole means it is booked up months in advance.

However, a couple of days before, we were lucky enough to get a cancellation and so a table for 7.15pm was ours. The first surprise was the car parking. So many people now visit, even if only for a drink that we were parked in a field across the road from the pub. There must have been over 150 vehicles there, never mind the ones on site.

As we were early, we bought drinks from the bar located in the old Top Gear tent and relaxed at one of many picnic tables dotted around the garden. There was a definite buzz and had this been the end of our evening, it would have been lovely just to visit. However, judging by last time, we would be in for a tasty meal.

Chatting to one of the door staff whilst queueing to enter the pub, it came as no surprise to find out how busy the Farmer’s Dog always is. On busy summer weekends, thousands of people descend on the venue, perhaps hoping that the man himself might be pottering about. I gather he is often on site, but is busy with staff and building management.

Our upstairs table was in sight of the dangling tractor and was decidedly cosy and perhaps a tad close to nearby dining guests to have a completely private conversation. Waiting staff were attentive, without being intrusive, though we did wait a little while for our order to be taken.

So what of the food? I am no food critic but I cannot fault the three courses I enjoyed. Trout pate with home made bread to start with was a treat, full of flavour and not too fishy, if that’s not a contradiction.

Cotswold sausage and mash followed, doused in a fine onion gravy and served with an exciting assortment of vegetables. A potentially ordinary dish, but elevated by fine ingredients and a masterful chef.

Rounding it all off was Eton Mess, a dessert I am especially fond of. Light as a feather meringue, succulent strawberries and yummy cream hit the spot. All of this was washed down with a pint of Clarkson’s Hawkstone lager, though the low alcohol variety as I was driving. Not as tasty as the ‘real’ version, it still hit the spot.

My friend dined on chicken and bacon terrine, pork rib and the Eton Mess and was complimentary about his dinner. Lovely though it looked, I thought his main course looked a tad on the small side. I recall him saying he was peckish later in the evening.

Adding the discretionary service charge of 12.5% to our bill, we paid £131.91 including two pints. Definitely quite a bit more that we paid last year, but I accept that running costs have increased dramatically for licenced premises.

We left happy and not just because of the food. For waiting in the field car park was a Bentley Continental GTC-S, kindly leant to me by the lovely folk in Crewe. We had no trouble finding it in the car park! It was a mighty fine way to travel and certainly elevated the weekend. A full review will follow shortly.

So, do I recommend a visit to the Farmer’s Dog? Absolutely, though if you wish to dine, you will have to spend regular time on their booking platform to get a slot. Worth the trouble I’d say.