Jeremy Clarkson, former Top Gear host and star of Clarkson’s Farm, encountered a string of setbacks during the opening of his pub, The Farmer’s Dog, in Asthall, Oxfordshire, as depicted in the season four finale of the series, streaming on Prime Video starting June 6, 2025. The launch, held over the August 2024 bank holiday, was plagued by issues including staff walkouts, water and gas shortages, a leaking roof, and a customer accident requiring surgery. Clarkson, who invested £1 million to acquire the former The Windmill pub, aimed to champion British farmers with a locally sourced menu but found the operation far more stressful than managing his Diddly Squat farm. The cameras captured the turmoil, highlighting the team’s exhaustion and Clarkson’s strain while juggling pub duties and nighttime farm harvests.
The venture, initially seen as a natural extension of Clarkson’s rural empire, drew criticism for high prices and tough working conditions. The series, blending humor and raw reality, exposed the chaotic behind-the-scenes of the pub’s debut.
The season, released in batches, wrapped with the final two episodes on June 6, showing Clarkson navigating crises and celebrating with his team at a nearby pub.
- Location: The Farmer’s Dog, Asthall, Oxfordshire.
- Opening date: August 23, 2024.
- Key issues: Staff resignations, infrastructure failures, customer injury.
- Streaming: Finale on Prime Video, June 6, 2025.
A rocky launch
The Farmer’s Dog opening was far from smooth. Clarkson, already stretched thin managing Diddly Squat farm, saw the pub as a chance to diversify and promote British produce. However, the reality was chaotic. On day one, three staff members—two waitresses and a dishwasher—quit, citing grueling conditions like no break room and makeshift toilets.
The situation escalated when front-of-house managers Sue and Rachel, who set up the pub, also resigned after tense talks with Clarkson about staff burnout. He swiftly hired a new manager, a local school’s sixth-form head, but the turnover underscored the challenge of retaining staff under pressure.
Clarkson admitted running a pub was “far more stressful” than farming, with simultaneous crises ranging from council disputes to neighbor complaints about traffic caused by the pub’s popularity.
Infrastructure woes
Beyond staffing, the pub faced critical structural issues. A leaking roof compromised the venue, while a gas shortage halted kitchen operations for hours, frustrating customers. Water ran out, forcing the use of plastic cups and temporary service halts.
A serious incident occurred when a customer fell and required surgery, adding to Clarkson’s mounting challenges. Despite the chaos, the pub drew crowds, with long queues during the holiday, impacting nearby venues like The Three Horseshoes, which saw declining business.
- Main failures: Roof leaks, gas outage, water shortage.
- Incident: Customer fall leading to surgery.
- Competition: Local pubs suffered from The Farmer’s Dog’s draw.
- Workaround: Plastic cups and toilet closures.
The pub’s quirky name
The Farmer’s Dog name stemmed from an unusual find. During the purchase, Clarkson discovered records noting the area’s history of “dogging”—public sexual encounters. After his lawyer confirmed the site’s “antisocial behavior,” Clarkson chose the name as a tongue-in-cheek nod, aligning with the irreverent tone of Clarkson’s Farm.
The pub, previously The Windmill, was revamped with a hefty investment, including a £20,000 tractor restoration by Richard Hammond, hung as a ceiling centerpiece, adding to the venue’s rustic charm.
Pricing controversies
The Farmer’s Dog’s menu, centered on British ingredients, sparked backlash over high prices. One customer complained about the cost of a meat pie, prompting Clarkson to ban them from the pub—a tactic he applied to other critics, including Keir Starmer and former colleagues James May and Richard Hammond.
Clarkson defended the pricing, noting he pays a premium to local farmers and loses £10 per customer to prioritize British agriculture. He explained that non-UK ingredients, like quinine for tonic water, are unavoidable, but the pub maximizes local sourcing, including his Hawkstone beer.
Team support
Despite the turmoil, Clarkson relied on his core team: Kaleb Cooper, Lisa Hogan, Charlie Ireland, Gerald Cooper, Alan, and Annie. Cooper, absent early in the season for a UK theater tour, returned to aid the pub opening, easing Clarkson’s load.
A newcomer, 24-year-old Harriet Cowan, shone as Cooper’s temporary replacement, winning fans with her humor and energy. Cowan managed the farm during Cooper’s absence but confirmed she won’t return for season five.
Fan reactions
Season four of Clarkson’s Farm drew mixed responses. Fans praised its raw portrayal of British farming struggles but criticized the staggered release—four episodes on May 23, two on May 30, and two on June 6. Many voiced frustration over not binge-watching the full season, reflecting the show’s global popularity.
Social media buzzed with memes and comments on the pub’s chaos, with some highlighting Clarkson’s humor amid crises. The series earned acclaim for tackling issues like rural bureaucracy and farming costs, cementing Clarkson’s role as a farmers’ advocate.
Clarkson’s health strain
The season laid bare the physical and emotional toll on Clarkson. At 65, he faced well-documented health issues, including heightened stress from managing the pub and farm. The series showed him exhausted, pulling all-nighters for harvests while troubleshooting pub issues.
Post-surgery lifestyle changes didn’t fully shield Clarkson from the strain. He admitted feeling “worn out,” a sentiment echoed by his team, who endured tough conditions at the pub.
A toast to farmers
The season closed with Clarkson and his team dining at a nearby pub, avoiding The Farmer’s Dog to unwind without maintenance or customer worries. Clarkson acknowledged the “tricky” opening but toasted the achievement: “To the farmers.”
The scene underscored the team’s bond, forged through the season’s highs and lows. The series continued to blend entertainment with a candid look at rural life, balancing Clarkson’s humor with farming realities.
- Lunch attendees: Clarkson, Lisa Hogan, Kaleb Cooper, Gerald Cooper, Charlie Ireland, Alan, Annie.
- Reason for venue: To relax away from The Farmer’s Dog’s stress.
- Toast: “To the farmers,” honoring the agricultural community.
- Timing: Post-opening, August 2024.
What’s next for Clarkson’s Farm
A fifth season of Clarkson’s Farm is confirmed for Prime Video, but Clarkson announced a break due to the team’s exhaustion after five years of intense filming. Since its 2021 debut, the show has become one of the platform’s top hits, resonating globally for its mix of humor and farming advocacy.
The Farmer’s Dog’s popularity persists despite criticism, with queues and a boost to the local economy. Clarkson aims to keep the pub as a hub for regional products, supporting British farmers.