Jeremy Clarkson Announces Name For His Cotswolds Pub

He has spent the past few years learning the ins and outs of farming, but now Jeremy Clarkson is venturing into another new field: the world of pubs. After months of rumours, the former Top Gear presenter has confirmed he has bought a pub in the Cotswolds, which he’s calling The Farmer’s Dog. So what can fans expect from his latest venture?

The Farmer’s Dog: What To Expect

Clarkson has revealed he paid ‘less than £1 million’ for The Windmill, a pub housed in a 15th century barn near Burford in Oxfordshire, with views of the rolling countryside. Described by its previous owners as a venue and restaurant, The Windmill announced it was under ‘new ownership’ as of 4 June 2024.

Writing in The Sunday Times, Clarkson said: ‘I decided last year that I’d like to buy a pub. So I called everyone I know who has one and they all said the same thing: the pub business is dying. They’re closing at the rate of more than a thousand a year. You would have to be mad to buy one. Insane. So I’ve bought a pub.’

He went on to describe the lengthy process of finding the right venue, writing: ‘after I’d looked at about 14,000, I found just the place. Old, Cotswoldy and sitting in five acres of its own land.’

So what does Clarkson envisage for his new spot? ‘A place where I can go on a Sunday with my granddaughter for some gammon, egg and chips,’ he says. ‘Well-priced, British-grown food with a pint of Hawkstone beer. And a warm fuzzy feeling inside.’ There will also be bar billiards, darts and a garden area.

 

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This isn’t the first time Clarkson has opened an F&B business. Back in 2022, the Diddly Squat team opened a restaurant within an abandoned lambing barn on the farm, however it was forced to close after a battle with the council. The saga was played out in Clarkson’s Farm, the beloved Amazon Prime show – and it’s likely the purchase of the pub will provide a new storyline for season four, which is currently in the works.

When Will The Pub Open?

Clarkson and the team have spent the past few weeks revamping the venue, briefly opening for the Euro 2024 final and most recently ejecting a giant marquee in the grounds. And now we have an official opening date. On the pub’s new Instagram account, a post has announced The Farmer’s Dog will open on 23 August at 12pm, just in time for the Bank Holiday weekend.