Jeremy Clarkson has found himself caught up in an unexpected storm — not one caused by the British weather or farming mishaps, but by the diplomatic and security circus surrounding US Vice President JD Vance’s highly scrutinised visit to the Cotswolds.
Vance, currently on holiday in the tiny hamlet of Dean, is staying just a stone’s throw from Clarkson’s now-famous Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire. The rural setting, normally a picture of quiet English charm, has been turned into a hive of heightened security. Chipping Norton and the surrounding area are now effectively under lockdown conditions, with roadblocks in place, an increased police presence, and Vance being whisked from place to place in a high-speed convoy of blacked-out vehicles.
Perhaps the most disruptive measure for Clarkson’s hit Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm has been the imposition of a no-fly zone over the area. The restricted airspace, activated for the duration of Vance’s stay, covers Clarkson’s 1,000-acre farm and means that the production team is unable to capture essential drone footage for the show’s upcoming fifth season.
Clarkson himself posted a picture of the no-fly zone map to social media, joking: “We are the pin. So on the downside, no drone shots today.” While the remark carried his usual dry humour, the production setback was genuine.
The restrictions have also proved frustrating for Clarkson’s right-hand man, Kaleb Cooper. Known for his no-nonsense approach to farm work, Cooper was forced to sit idle after Vance’s convoy blocked the road while he was hauling wheat to a storage shed. “It’s not like we’ve got time to waste,” he reportedly complained, echoing the irritation felt by many locals.
Still, Clarkson did manage to find one silver lining. With the no-fly zone in place, the skies above Diddly Squat have been blissfully free from what he calls “annoying light aircraft” — a constant background nuisance for filming outdoor scenes.
Meanwhile, the residents of Dean and neighbouring villages have been less than thrilled. The normally slow-paced, postcard-perfect Cotswolds atmosphere has been upended by the motorcades, security personnel, and media attention. The Grade II-listed country manor where Vance and his family are staying — owned by publishing tycoon Johnny Hornby and his wife Pippa — has been surrounded by activity.
In a message to neighbours, the Hornbys apologised for “the circus” and expressed hope that the intrusion wouldn’t be “too disruptive.” The property itself is a quintessential example of Cotswolds elegance, boasting two wine cellars, a tennis court, a rose garden, a private gym, and a Georgian orangery, all nestled within six acres of manicured grounds.
Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha and their children Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel, is said to be enjoying the English countryside in between official engagements — but the knock-on effects of his stay have been felt most keenly by Clarkson and his production crew.
Clarkson purchased Diddly Squat Farm in 2008, initially as a quiet countryside retreat. When the local farmer who managed the land retired in 2019, Clarkson decided to take on the challenge himself — a decision that spawned Clarkson’s Farm, one of Prime Video’s most successful unscripted series. Beyond farming, Clarkson has recently expanded his rural business ventures, including taking over a traditional pub in Asthall, near Burford, which comes with its own five acres of rolling countryside.
For now, Clarkson must adapt to this latest and most unusual farming challenge — not the weather, not livestock, not government red tape, but the presence of one of the most powerful political figures in the world setting up camp on his doorstep.
