I Visited Jeremy Clarkson’s Pub The Farmer’s Dog – And It Left Me Disappointed
When Jeremy Clarkson announced he was buying and renovating a country pub, fans of Clarkson’s Farm and the former Top Gear star couldn’t wait to see what he would do with the project. Nearly a year since opening, The Farmer’s Dog, located in the Cotswolds near Burford, has become a magnet for curious visitors, tourists, and Clarkson devotees.
But while some have hailed it as a gem offering top-quality local produce, others have left deeply underwhelmed, describing the experience as “soulless,” “overpriced,” and “pretty dire.”
From Farm to Pub
The pub was first introduced to viewers during Season 4 of Clarkson’s hit Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm, chronicling his efforts to transform the historic Windmill site into a countryside venue.
Clarkson’s vision was bold: to create not just a pub, but an all-in-one restaurant, butcher and bottle shop, and bar, serving up food and drink with a proudly local identity. His Hawkstone beers, brewed from barley grown at Diddly Squat Farm, feature prominently on tap alongside cider, stout, and IPA.
Situated about 10 miles south of Clarkson’s farm, the Cotswolds location proved ideal for drawing fans from across the country, with many making detours to sample a pint and soak up the atmosphere.
Clarkson’s Rules: What You Won’t Find Inside
True to form, Clarkson has stamped his personality all over The Farmer’s Dog. He has openly admitted he would like to “ban” certain types of customer, though without spelling out the exact criteria.
He’s also raised eyebrows with a series of unusual prohibitions. Coffee, lemonade, and even ketchup have reportedly been struck from the menu, ensuring that guests stick to the curated farm-to-glass and farm-to-plate ethos that Clarkson wants to enforce.
Mixed Reviews on TripAdvisor
Online reviews reveal a sharp divide in customer opinion. With a 4.3-star rating on TripAdvisor, The Farmer’s Dog sits above average but far from perfect, with feedback ranging from glowing five-star endorsements to harsh one-star criticisms.
Some fans have praised the food as “excellent,” “properly cooked,” and “worth the trip,” while others claim it lacks character, charges too much, and feels overwhelmed by its own popularity.
Voices of Disappointment
One reviewer, a self-confessed Clarkson fan, expressed frustration after making a special detour to the pub:
“Made a detour here to have a beer (after riding in the glorious Cotswolds for a couple of days). We were SO disappointed! I’m a JC fan and have read his words for many years, watched all the shows and been impressed with the development of the pub. Love the idea and the principle, but the overall experience was pretty dire. Soulless, very busy (on a poor-weather Thursday afternoon), queues for everything, devoid of any character, already looking a bit worn in places (inevitably given the footfall), expensive.”
Another diner was equally unimpressed, criticizing both food quality and execution:
“The food is very loose. Hard lamb. Lots of spice. Beer’s fine, but you find that in any pub. All made in GB, but they cook very badly.”
A third patron described their visit as flat-out disappointing:
“Very disappointing experience and we definitely will not be returning. The food was obviously plated up ahead of time as it arrived in less than five minutes of ordering and looked like a school dinner.”
Praise From Satisfied Guests
Yet for every negative review, there are multiple visitors who rave about their experience. One customer highlighted the freshness and quality of the menu:
“Really, really good food properly cooked and all local — a proper pie, some lovely veggies, tomatoes to start and Eton Mess to finish. You have to book in advance, but it’s well worth it.”
Another described the pub as a hidden gem:
“The Farmer’s Dog is a real gem! Excellent local food with fresh produce, and the quality really shines through. We ate in the restaurant and the staff were so attentive — even though it was really busy, they were calm, friendly and made everything feel effortless. The food was absolutely excellent, and I was pleasantly surprised by just how high the standards were. A brilliant experience all round!”
And a third offered glowing feedback from start to finish:
“Fantastic from start to finish. The bar staff were really helpful and told us all about the different ciders. We were seated on time and our waitress was very welcoming. The food itself was amazing — big portions and great taste. Will be going back!”
Why the Divide?
The conflicting reviews may come down to timing and expectations. The Farmer’s Dog is undeniably popular, which means long queues and high footfall can quickly overwhelm staff, leading to inconsistent service and presentation.
Moreover, fans visiting with the expectation of a quirky, character-filled Clarkson-style pub may leave disappointed if their experience feels rushed or ordinary. Others, meanwhile, find charm in its simplicity, the quality of its locally sourced food, and the novelty of drinking Clarkson’s Hawkstone beer in his own establishment.
The Verdict So Far
One year into its operation, The Farmer’s Dog has firmly established itself as a tourist hotspot in the Cotswolds. Like Clarkson himself, the pub divides opinion—simultaneously attracting admiration and criticism in equal measure.
For some, it’s a dream come true: hearty local food, well-poured beer, and the chance to step inside a piece of Clarkson’s growing farm empire. For others, the hype outweighs the reality, leaving them unimpressed and unlikely to return.
What seems certain is that, much like Clarkson’s farming adventures, The Farmer’s Dog won’t please everyone—but it was never really designed to.
