Campaigners Call on Jeremy Clarkson to Rethink Farming at Diddly Squat
Jeremy Clarkson has once again found himself at the centre of a national debate, after animal rights campaigners urged him to make a dramatic change to how his Cotswolds farm operates. This time, the call is for Clarkson to abandon livestock farming altogether and embrace a vegan model.
The appeal comes as Diddly Squat Farm continues to attract attention far beyond agriculture, driven by its starring role in the Amazon Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm.
From Curdle Hill to Television Phenomenon
Clarkson purchased the Oxfordshire farm in 2008, long before it became a household name. Formerly known as Curdle Hill, the land was initially managed quietly before being transformed into Diddly Squat Farm and thrust into the spotlight through Clarkson’s Farm.
Over four series, the programme has charted Clarkson’s attempts to navigate modern British farming—often clashing with regulations, weather conditions, and the realities of working with livestock. A fifth series is currently in production.
Expanding Beyond the Fields
Farming is no longer Clarkson’s only rural venture. In 2024, he bought The Windmill pub in Asthall, reopening it as The Farmer’s Dog. The pub, like the farm shop, has featured prominently in the show and has become a destination for fans.
Together, Diddly Squat Farm and The Farmer’s Dog have turned Clarkson’s rural experiment into a high-profile commentary on food production, British agriculture, and countryside economics.
PETA Pushes for a Vegan Shift
Now, animal rights group PETA is urging Clarkson to take what it calls a “major ethical step” by ending animal farming at Diddly Squat. The organisation wants the farm converted into a vegan-run sanctuary, allowing animals to live out their lives without being used for food production.
Campaigners argue that such a move would demonstrate compassion and reflect a more progressive approach to farming in the modern era.
A Festive Campaign With a Message
As part of its Christmas push, PETA has sent Clarkson a controversial festive jumper designed to highlight animal suffering during the holiday season. The item, described by the organisation as a “Christmassacre jumper,” is intended to provoke discussion around meat consumption at Christmas.
PETA claims similar items have been worn by public figures who support animal welfare causes, and hopes the gesture will spark reflection rather than outrage.
PETA’s Direct Appeal
In a letter accompanying the gift, PETA vice president Elisa Allen framed the campaign as an invitation rather than a confrontation. She wrote that Christmas was an opportunity to extend peace and goodwill beyond tradition, urging Clarkson to consider veganism and a sanctuary-style future for Diddly Squat.
The message was clear: Clarkson’s high-profile platform gives him the power to influence public attitudes toward food and farming.
Clarkson’s Silence — For Now
Clarkson has yet to respond publicly. The presenter has previously been vocal in his opposition to veganism and animal rights activism, often defending conventional farming in his columns and on television.
Whether the latest appeal will prompt a rethink—or simply fuel another chapter in Clarkson’s long-running cultural clashes—remains uncertain. What is clear is that Diddly Squat Farm continues to sit at the heart of Britain’s wider conversation about farming, food ethics, and the future of rural life.
