CHIPPING NORTON – Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm is preparing for its biggest challenge yet: hosting one of the UK’s largest arable farming events, the Cereals show, in June 2026.
The two-day event, scheduled for June 10–11, 2026, is expected to attract more than 550 exhibitors and up to 25,000 visitors to Clarkson’s Cotswolds farm. For context, the farm shop and Hawkstone Brewery already draw thousands of fans each week after rising to fame on the hit Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm. But the upcoming agricultural showcase will dwarf anything the farm has seen before.
Clarkson said the event comes at a time when farmers are facing “the toughest times in decades,” and he hopes hosting Cereals will provide “something positive for UK food producers.” True to his style, he added that he looks forward to seeing how the show’s crop plots perform on his notoriously difficult Cotswold brash land. Visitors can also expect a lively atmosphere, complete with the Farmer’s Dog pop-up bar and a Hawkstone filling station.
Yet, not everyone in the local community is celebrating. Several residents near Chipping Norton have described the upcoming event as “hell on earth.” Concerns include gridlocked roads, illegal parking, and disruption to daily life—issues already experienced when the farm shop first opened. One neighbor complained that people were unable to reach work or medical appointments due to traffic chaos, while another sarcastically suggested the council triple its parking inspectors to cash in on fines.
Some residents have even said they plan to leave town during the event to escape the influx of visitors.
However, others are more optimistic. With the wider Cotswolds population standing at around 91,000, they argue that an additional 25,000 visitors across two days shouldn’t overwhelm the region. Supporters see the show as a chance to spotlight local farming and bring fresh attention—and business—to the area.
Whether the Cereals event proves to be a boon or a burden, one thing is certain: Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm is once again at the center of national debate.
