Jeremy Clarkson has praised what he described as a “brilliant” bonfire night celebration at his Cotswolds pub — an event he joked could probably have been seen all the way from Swindon.
The former Top Gear presenter hosted the fiery festivities on Wednesday, November 5, marking Bonfire Night (also known as Guy Fawkes Night or Fireworks Night) outside his recently refurbished pub, The Farmer’s Dog. Clarkson purchased the Asthall pub, near Burford, for around £1 million last year and reopened it in August after extensive renovations. The village lies roughly 20 miles from Swindon, a detail Clarkson humorously referenced when teasing the scale of the planned bonfire.
Ahead of the event, Clarkson promised locals “a proper, old-fashioned night of big flames, live music and people going ‘ooooh’ and ‘aaaaah’.” True to form, he added a signature Clarkson twist: the sky would “be filled with bright and brilliant fireworks” timed to the theme tune from Clarkson’s Farm. He also joked that the bonfire would be “so enormous it will be visible from space — or at least Swindon.”
The night featured several live bands, including Das Gruv, Morgan Spicer and Down to Georgia. Clarkson praised them in advance, noting they brought with them “the most important thing you need from a band: their own equipment.” Throughout the evening, visitors enjoyed hot food from The Farmer’s Puppy and The Farmer’s Dough, as well as plentiful supplies of Hawkstone beer, the locally brewed drink Clarkson often champions.
Tickets were priced at £12.50 for adults and £7.50 for children, drawing a strong turnout of locals and fans alike. After the event, West Oxfordshire councillor Liam Walker shared photos online and described it as a “brilliant bonfire night,” commending the atmosphere, music, fireworks and the towering bonfire itself. Clarkson replied to Walker’s praise on Twitter/X, saying The Farmer’s Dog is “a fine local amenity which needs full council support.”
Clarkson’s relationship with West Oxfordshire District Council has been contentious over the years, particularly regarding operations at Diddly Squat Farm. The council previously threatened enforcement action to stop the farm shop from selling non-local products, sparking high-profile disagreements. However, more recently, relations have eased. The council has acknowledged the significant tourism boom brought by Clarkson’s Farm, while Clarkson has publicly thanked Oxfordshire County Council for assisting with the opening of The Farmer’s Dog.
Responding to Clarkson’s call for council backing, Walker said he agreed: “All our local pubs should have council support… just need to make sure they don’t impose quiet fireworks next…”
