A visitor to the Swan at Enford, a thatched pub nestled in the Wiltshire countryside, got a pleasant surprise when they were served a pint by one of the UK’s most famous actors, Rupert Everett.
“They came in off the main road and asked if it was my pub,” said Everett, known for films like Another Country, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and The Madness of King George. “At first, I lied and said yes—I couldn’t resist. But I’m not the gay Jeremy Clarkson; I’m just a small part of a big effort here.”
Everett isn’t working behind the bar because he’s fallen on hard times. Instead, he’s pitching in as part of a community campaign to save the Swan, which was at risk of closing until villagers stepped in to maintain the 350-year-old building at the heart of their community.
He also joined the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), which advocates for pubs like the Swan, and a photo of him working there quickly went viral.
Everett told the Guardian he has lived in the area since childhood. “I’ve known the pub through its various phases,” he said. “It’s closed a couple of times, and people in the village suddenly realized how much we need it for community spirit.”
“It’s a tough time in the countryside. Local farmers have had a terrible harvest, and morale is low. The village pub suddenly feels like an important asset we all need to protect.”
The Swan is looking for a new professional publican after the previous one left in June. “In the meantime, everyone in the village has been motivated to keep the pub and garden in good shape,” Everett said. “It’s a tricky business. Beer only lasts a week—if you order too much, you’re in trouble.”
Everett’s drink of choice is Pigswill, an amber beer from Stonehenge Ales. “I’m quite overweight, so I try not to drink too much—once you start, it’s hard to stop. But I’m committed to drinking non-stop until we find a new publican,” he joked.
He cited figures from the British Beer and Pub Association, noting that for every £3 spent in a pub, £1 goes to tax. “The government takes a healthy chunk of every pub’s earnings. Easing up on that would really help.”
When the Guardian visited on Thursday, Everett was off duty, busy promoting his well-received story collection, The American No. But the pub was lively with customers of all ages.
Clive Bullen, one of the organizers of the rescue effort, said community support has been incredible. “The garden was overgrown, and the interior needed refurbishing. Up to 30 people a day were helping—gardening, painting, and more.”
“We put out a call for volunteers, and Rupert said he’d like to help. I trained him. It’s a bit of a surprise for customers when he’s working a shift on a Saturday afternoon.”
David Holmes, a regular for over 50 years known locally as “Sheriff,” said the pub is a lifeline for him. “I wouldn’t see anyone from week to week if I didn’t come here.”
Iris Daunt-Withers, a more recent arrival, said the pub is one of the main attractions of village life.Iris Daunt-Withers said the pub was one of the main reasons they decided to move to Enford. “We met everyone there and realized what a wonderful place it is, with such a strong sense of community,” she said.
According to Camra, 230 pubs across the UK have been demolished or converted so far in 2025, permanently lost to their communities. The campaign group is urging the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to take action in the upcoming budget by eliminating the planned increase in employer national insurance contributions, as well as reducing business rates, VAT, and duty on beer and cider served in pubs.
Everett noted that the community effort has brought a celebratory atmosphere to the pub. “In a world where we’re all increasingly isolated in our own little bubbles, this has been really refreshing. We’ve felt our village come together to keep this pub alive. It’s energized all of us.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Rupert Everetts surprise pub appearance designed to sound like questions from real people
General Beginner Questions
Q Who is Rupert Everett
A Hes a famous British actor known for movies like My Best Friends Wedding and The Importance of Being Earnest
Q Is it true he was working in a pub
A Yes He surprised everyone by casually working behind the bar pulling pints for customers
Q Which pub was it
A It was The Fox Inn a country pub in the village of Corscombe in Dorset England
Q Why was he working there Was he paid
A He did it for fun and to help out the landlord who is a friend of his It was just a friendly gesture not a paid job
Q When did this happen
A The story gained widespread attention in early September 2023
Advanced Detailed Questions
Q Does Rupert Everett have a connection to that area
A Yes he has lived in the area for many years and is considered a local so it wasnt completely random for him to be there
Q What was the publics reaction
A Patrons were shocked and delighted Many posted photos and videos on social media which is how the story went viral
Q Was this a publicity stunt for something
A No it appears to have been a genuine spontaneous act He wasnt promoting any new project at the time
Q Has he done anything like this before
A While known for being charming and unpredictable this specific act of casually bartending was a new and surprising one for the public
Q What does pulling pints mean
A Its a British phrase for the process of serving beer from a tap into a pint glass
Practical Fan Questions
Q Can I go to that pub and meet him
A It was a oneoff event While you can visit the lovely pub theres no guarantee he will be there or working behind the bar again
Q Whats the benefit for the pub
A The event generated massive free publicity likely bringing in new customers curious to visit the spot where a famous actor served drinks
