The TV star’s Farmer’s Dog pub misses out on CAMRA’s 2026 list — leaving fans and locals shocked
It was meant to be Jeremy Clarkson’s crowning achievement in his post-Top Gear career — a place where fans, locals, and travelers alike could gather, raise a pint of Hawkstone, and bask in the charm of a countryside pub reborn.
But just when it seemed The Farmer’s Dog had cemented its place in Oxfordshire’s heart, a shocking twist left Clarkson’s loyal followers stunned: a brutal snub from Britain’s most respected beer authority.
A Dream Realized
When Clarkson first traded cars for cows on Clarkson’s Farm, viewers were captivated by the chaos and comedy of his rural reinvention. Yet farming wasn’t enough for the outspoken presenter. Together with partner Lisa Hogan, Clarkson expanded his Diddly Squat empire — first with a bustling farm shop, and later with an even more ambitious project: transforming a derelict windmill in Chadlington into a vibrant pub.
Reimagined as The Farmer’s Dog, the pub officially opened in August 2024. Crowds queued for hours on its opening day to step inside the million-pound venue, complete with rustic cuisine and a full range of Clarkson’s own Hawkstone beers — lager, cider, IPA, and stout — flowing on tap.
The excitement carried into Season 4 of Clarkson’s Farm, which chronicled the challenges and triumphs of bringing the pub to life amid fierce battles with the West Oxfordshire District Council. Against all odds, Clarkson prevailed. For a brief, shining moment, it seemed he had silenced every critic.
The Snub That Shocked Fans
That triumph, however, took a bitter turn when the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) released its Good Beer Guide 2026 — the definitive list of the UK’s top 4,500 pubs. Oxfordshire alone boasted 67 entries. The Farmer’s Dog was not among them.
Fans were baffled. How could such a well-reviewed, wildly popular establishment be left out?
A CAMRA spokesperson was quick to clarify that the process is “volunteer-led, fiercely competitive, and updated yearly.” This year, they explained, Clarkson’s pub “simply didn’t make the cut.”
Still, for a figure as high-profile as Clarkson, the omission carries more weight than most. What might have been a quiet disappointment for another publican quickly became headline news — a perceived snub that stings all the more because of his pub’s place at the heart of his personal and professional story.
Friendly Fire
Adding insult to injury, even some of Clarkson’s famous peers couldn’t resist chiming in. Fellow Top Gear alum James May, appearing on ITV’s Lorraine, joked about rumors that he’d been “banned” from The Farmer’s Dog.
“It’s a bit like being banned from the golf club,” May quipped. “I wasn’t going to go anyway. I’ve got my own pub just around the corner — and frankly, mine’s better.”
What’s Next for Clarkson?
Clarkson has yet to comment publicly on the snub. Whether he’ll treat it as another minor setback — much like his previous battles with local councils — or unleash one of his trademark tirades remains to be seen.
One thing, however, is certain: no Clarkson venture is ever short on drama. And for The Farmer’s Dog, the next chapter promises to be just as compelling as the last.
