Richard Hammond Opens Up on Visiting Jeremy Clarkson’s Pub Ahead of Oxfordshire Event
Richard Hammond has revealed whether he plans to stop by Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswolds pub during his upcoming visit to Oxfordshire next week.
The 55-year-old presenter, best known for his long-running partnership with Clarkson and James May on Top Gear and The Grand Tour, will be in the county later this month as he attends Salon Privé, one of the UK’s most prestigious motoring events.
The classic car showcase, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, will take place at the historic Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, running across five days at the end of August. Hammond, who has built a reputation as both a motoring journalist and television personality, is set to be among the big names in attendance, delighting fans of both cars and television alike.
Blenheim Palace, the show’s stunning backdrop, lies only a short drive from Clarkson’s recently opened pub, The Farmer’s Dog, situated south of his famous Diddly Squat Farm in the Oxfordshire countryside. The pub has been a source of local and national headlines ever since Clarkson purchased and renovated the property, turning it into a bustling venue that has employed more than 140 staff in its first year of operation.
Despite his long history of working alongside Clarkson, Hammond admitted that he has never stepped inside The Farmer’s Dog. Speaking candidly to the Oxford Mail, he said:
“The pub, no [I haven’t been there]. I’ve driven past it quite a lot, but I’ve never been in, no. I’ve been to the farm, and before it was a TV show, and yeah, I’m familiar with the setup and the place, but I’ve never been to his pub.”
Hammond was quick to clarify that his absence was not deliberate, joking that he simply hadn’t found the right opportunity. “I’m not making a point of that, I just haven’t had the chance, but I’ve no doubt I will do one day,” he added.
When asked if he might finally drop in for a pint of Hawkstone beer during his stay at Blenheim Palace, Hammond’s answer suggested that his schedule may prevent it. “I’ll be there working, there’s a typical example. I’ll be in the area, but I’ll be busy doing what I’m doing.”
The exchange adds another layer of intrigue to the famously light-hearted and sometimes cheeky dynamic between Clarkson, Hammond, and May. While Clarkson continues to juggle farming, brewing, and running a pub with his Amazon projects, Hammond has been pursuing his own ventures in motoring media and television.
For fans, however, the idea of Hammond finally setting foot in Clarkson’s pub — and perhaps even sharing a pint of Hawkstone with his former co-star — remains an entertaining possibility for the future.
Until then, those attending Salon Privé from Wednesday, August 28, to Sunday, August 31 can expect to see Hammond immersed in the world of rare classic cars, supercars, and luxury motoring lifestyle, just a few miles away from his old friend’s latest business venture.