Clarkson's Pub Success Story
Jeremy Clarkson's Farmer's Dog Pub Booms, Supporting Local Farmers and Attracting Visitors
Anonymous
Jeremy Clarkson's pub, The Farmer's Dog, is nearly fully booked for June and July 2026 — with over 4,500 people trying to grab tables within just seven hours of a booking window opening, according to Reddit. The rush coincides with the June 3 premiere of Series 5 of *Clarkson's Farm* on Amazon Prime Video, sending fresh waves of fans to the Oxfordshire countryside.
The pub — formerly a rundown inn called The Windmill in Asthall, near Burford — opened in August 2024 after Clarkson bought it for less than £1 million, according to The Sunday Times. It now employs over 140 people and serves an almost entirely British menu, right down to skipping black pepper and lemon.
From Crumbling Wreck to Fully Booked Pub
When Clarkson first acquired the site, the building was in rough shape. He described a "falling down" gable end, "illegal" lavatories, and a loft "full of dead rats," according to The Sunday Times. Planning rules had long blocked his dream of opening a pub at Diddly Squat farm. After the council shut down his original farm restaurant in 2022, he pivoted and bought The Windmill instead.
The pub reopened as The Farmer's Dog on August 23, 2024, The Caterer reported. Series 4 of *Clarkson's Farm* followed the purchase and renovation. Now Series 5, premiering today, is expected to drive even more visitors to the sleepy Oxfordshire village. Bookings open on the 1st of each month via SevenRooms and sell out within minutes.
Crowds, Traffic Chaos, and High-Vis Stewards on the B4047
The pub's popularity has a downside for locals. Cars are clogging the B4047, with visitors parking on grass verges outside the village. Mark Leslie, a resident of nearby Widford, raised "serious concerns" about "significant highway safety issues" caused by queuing traffic, according to Oxford Mail. Stewards in high-visibility jackets now manage crowds on-site.
Local authorities have stepped in. West Oxfordshire District Council recently approved a temporary overflow car park, saying "the public benefits outweigh the identified harms," according to Witney Gazette. Oxfordshire County Council also approved a new 30mph speed limit outside the pub to cut safety risks, Oxford Mail reported.
What You'll Eat, Drink, and Pay at The Farmer's Dog
The menu is built around British sourcing. Clarkson tweeted, "We are attempting to go all British for the food," according to The Caterer. A pint of Hawkstone lager, IPA, or cider runs between £6.75 and £7.00, according to LADbible. One viral receipt showed a Sunday roast for five people came to £174.04, including a 12.5% service charge.
The attached Diddly Squat shop sells Hawkstone lager, stout, IPA, and cider in crates and gift packs, alongside jams, marmalades, honey, candles, and branded clothing, according to Liverpool Echo. A small "Hops & Chops" butcher shop also sits on the pub site, managed by Clarkson's partner Lisa Hogan, according to The Independent.
Series 5 Arrives With Farming Fights and a Choir That Won Britain's Got Talent
Series 5 drops as Clarkson's farming empire is bigger than ever — and more controversial. The show is expected to tackle his vocal opposition to new inheritance tax rules affecting farms, according to The Mirror. Farm manager Kaleb Cooper also takes his first-ever trip abroad as part of a high-tech farm upgrade, according to Radio Times.
In a sign of the show's cultural reach, the Hawkstone Farmers Choir — founded by Clarkson — won the final of *Britain's Got Talent* on May 30, 2026, according to This is Oxfordshire. *Clarkson's Farm* was already the most-watched Prime Video original in the UK in 2023–2024. After Series 5, that record looks safe.
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