Clarkson’s Farm star Jeremy Clarkson flooded with support as he makes pub announcement

Jeremy Clarkson, the outspoken presenter best known for Top Gear and Amazon Prime’s hit series Clarkson’s Farm, has taken to social media to mark a major milestone for his latest venture — the first anniversary of his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Clarkson shared an image of the pub’s sign and reflected on its journey over the past twelve months. “Exactly a year ago, we opened The Farmer’s Dog to support British farming,” he wrote. “Today, there are 146 people on the payroll, and I’d like to thank every single one of them for making it such a roaring success.”

The message struck a chord with fans, who were quick to congratulate Clarkson for turning what had once been a troubled property into a thriving hub for locals and visitors alike. One independent retailer of his Hawkstone beer praised the achievement, commenting: “Congratulations! We are proud sellers of Hawkstone and have sold almost 6,000 bottles in just over a year. Not only are you providing jobs, you are helping small businesses like mine keep going during tough times. Cheers.”

Others shared their own experiences of visiting the pub, with one fan writing: “Happy first birthday! We just visited yesterday — what a wonderful creation.” Another follower added: “I hope everyone within the farmers’ cooperative is thriving through the enterprise, too. I’ve visited twice and had a great time. Lovely staff, great location, wonderful food.” Still others simply looked forward to enjoying the venue in the near future, with one remarking: “I look forward to visiting soon; it’s just up the road for me.”

The Farmer’s Dog, located roughly ten miles south of Clarkson’s now-iconic Diddly Squat Farm, sits just off the A40 in the Oxfordshire countryside. The site itself has a colorful history — once known as The Windmill, the pub was reportedly purchased by Clarkson in 2023 for “less than £1 million.” Upon taking over, however, Clarkson discovered that the premises had previously gained an unsavory reputation as a dogging site for adventurous locals.

Never one to shy away from controversy or reinvention, Clarkson oversaw a major refurbishment of the building. Today, the venue bears little resemblance to its past life, boasting modern touches alongside rustic charm, including one particularly striking centerpiece: a chrome tractor suspended dramatically above the bar. The transformation and relaunch were even documented on Clarkson’s Farm, giving fans an inside look at the challenges of the hospitality trade.

The opening in August 2024 was far from smooth sailing. A significant walkout by staff, triggered by management tensions in the early weeks, nearly jeopardized the pub’s launch. But over the past year, The Farmer’s Dog has not only recovered but flourished. With more than 140 employees now on the books, the pub stands as a rare success story in Britain’s struggling pub industry — and as proof, Clarkson argues, that farming and rural businesses can work hand in hand to create local jobs.

As Clarkson continues to balance the pressures of running Diddly Squat Farm with his ventures in hospitality and his work on Prime Video, fans have taken his latest post as yet another sign that his sometimes chaotic enterprises can lead to genuine, long-term success.

For many supporters, The Farmer’s Dog has become more than just a pub. It represents Clarkson’s wider mission to champion British agriculture, highlight the struggles of rural life, and prove that farming — when paired with a dose of humor and ambition — can still surprise everyone.