In his latest reflection, Jeremy Clarkson opens up about his journey into farming, a career change that left many scratching their heads. Known for his bold views on cars and the environment, Clarkson’s decision to step into the world of farming in 2019 caught many by surprise. But Clarkson reveals that his roots in agriculture actually stretch back further than his venture with Clarkson’s Farm.
Back in 2008, during the height of the Top Gear fame, Clarkson purchased 1,000 acres of land and a farm called Kurdle Hill Farm in Oxfordshire, England. The land, which was on sale for £425 million, was priced far below its usual value due to the financial crash of that year. Describing the purchase as a “bargain” in relative terms, Clarkson explained his decision was driven not just by a love of farming, but by practical reasons too—primarily, the avoidance of paying death duties on land, a tax break that made the property an attractive investment.
“Rather than just have money in the bank, which gives no one any pleasure at all, you could derive a great deal of pleasure and pass it on to your children,” Clarkson said. He elaborated that land, unlike money in a bank account, appreciates over time and offers lasting value, while also contributing to the preservation of the countryside. “Land is a better investment than any bank can offer,” he added.
The farm, however, had its own challenges. For years, the land was primarily farmed on a contract basis by local villager Howard Pauling, who retired in 2019. With the onset of the pandemic, Clarkson, eager to take the reins himself, began managing the farm. But before diving into farming, Clarkson decided to renovate the 312-acre farmhouse, ultimately blowing up the original structure in a controversial move that didn’t sit well with the locals. The new property was aptly renamed Diddly Squat, a reflection of its rather lackluster output.
Though Clarkson’s first year of farming was plagued with weather-related setbacks, he managed to produce good-quality wheat and raise a flock of sheep. However, the profit from these crops was £90,000 less than the previous year, leaving him with a meager £144 in profit. Despite the disappointing financial returns, Clarkson’s Clarkson’s Farm series, which aired on Prime Video, became a massive success in the UK, breaking records for being the most-watched Prime Video original series.
The show received praise for offering an authentic portrayal of farming struggles, something that Clarkson emphasized in his reflections. “Most farmers can’t bankroll their dramatic losses with an almost infinite pool of television money,” he said. The series not only entertained but raised awareness of the pressures farmers face daily, especially the government’s growing restrictions on subsidies. Clarkson warned that British farming was undergoing a process of “ethnic cleansing,” with policies pushing farmers off their land. He voiced his concern about the future of British agriculture, speculating what the countryside might look like in five years without the presence of farmers.
Clarkson’s opinions were further amplified in season two of Clarkson’s Farm, where he documented his frustration with Brexit’s impact on farming. UK farmers, including Clarkson, saw the loss of EU subsidies replaced by little more than empty slogans. For Clarkson, this loss was not just financial; it threatened the very survival of farming in the UK. “We are stopping producing wheat, which makes bread, which everybody in this country eats,” Clarkson remarked. “We’ve been paid to grow wildflowers. We need to have food produced and made in the UK.”
In response to these challenges, Clarkson diversified the farm, introducing cattle and constructing a new restaurant. However, his efforts were continually thwarted by local council bureaucracy. The council rejected his plans for a restaurant and country track, citing concerns over the preservation of natural beauty. “There was basically no downside to any of the proposals Diddly Squat put forward,” Clarkson argued, highlighting the ridiculousness of the council’s objections. The farm shop, which had become a popular tourist attraction thanks to the show, faced constant opposition from the local community, further complicating Clarkson’s farming ambitions.
Despite these obstacles, Clarkson’s efforts to diversify the farm, including the creation of a cider company and a restaurant, did bear some fruit. He made a £725,000 profit for the harvest, though that money was quickly reinvested into the farm’s rising costs. Still, Clarkson’s ongoing struggle with bureaucracy, bad weather, and poor returns underscored the immense difficulty of running a farm in the current climate.
In his reflections, Clarkson lamented the difficulty of making farming financially viable. With the cost of seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals rising, Clarkson admitted he faced a crossroads. “I could sell the farm and earn far more from the interest than I do from growing bread, beer, and vegetable oil,” he confessed. But despite the hardship, Clarkson expressed his deep attachment to the farm, emphasizing that there was value beyond profit: “There are no death duties on farmland, so my children like me having it too,” he said.
Throughout his journey, Clarkson’s show has brought attention to the plights of farmers worldwide, especially younger farmers like Caleb Cooper, who has become a celebrity in his own right since appearing on Clarkson’s Farm. Cooper has since become an advocate for young farmers, meeting with the Prime Minister, releasing books, and even going on tour to raise awareness for farming issues.
As Clarkson looks forward to the release of season three, which delves deeper into the impact of Brexit on farming, the future of Diddly Squat farm remains uncertain. However, Clarkson remains undeterred in his efforts to diversify and continue farming, despite the bureaucratic red tape and financial challenges. Through his show, Clarkson has educated millions on the challenges of farming, all while providing a mix of humor, passion, and raw honesty about the industry that feeds the nation.
Whether or not Clarkson can turn his farm into a long-term success remains to be seen, but his journey has undoubtedly highlighted the critical importance of farming to the UK’s landscape and economy. As Clarkson himself put it, “The sheer range of issues this show covers is remarkable,” giving a voice to an industry that is all too often overlooked.
