Jeremy Clarkson’s newly opened pub, The Farmer’s Dog in Asthall, Oxfordshire, has received mixed reviews since its doors opened last week. While some patrons hailed it as “the greatest pub in the world”, others were less enthusiastic.
The former Top Gear presenter’s pub officially opened to the public on Friday, August 23, following a renaming and renovation process. Hundreds of eager customers flocked to the car park, queuing for hours to sample the food and enjoy a pint of Hawkstone beer, served by Clarkson himself.
In anticipation of the opening, Oxfordshire County Council stated that they had worked “closely and pro-actively” with Mr Clarkson’s team due to concerns about the potential traffic volume on nearby roads. “Several measures have been taken to reduce the likelihood of traffic and parking related problems, and to support the safe and successful opening of the site,” a council spokesperson said.
Clarkson expressed his gratitude to Oxfordshire County Council for their assistance ahead of the opening. In a post on X on Thursday evening, he wrote: “Credit where credit is due. Our new pub opens tomorrow and this might sound odd but I’d like to thank Oxfordshire County Council for all their help. We couldn’t have done it so fast without you.”
Overall, the extensive planning and preparation from Jeremy, Lisa and their team seemed to pay off, with the majority of visitors leaving positive five-star reviews. On Google, as of the time of writing, a total of 84 reviews give everything from glowing five stars to critical one-star ratings.
Some guests found fault with Jeremy’s new watering hole citing steep prices and parking woes in their one-star reviews. For instance, one disgruntled review stated: “Car park was a churned up muddy mess on day 2. I think the whole place is work in progress and should be better when it’s finished. The Sausage and Mash portion is tiny and overpriced.”
Another critique raised concerns about inclusivity: “Great idea and love the plan behind it. Disappointing to go and not find a single vegan option though.”
Despite this, The Farmer’s Dog boasts a traditional array of British pub fare, ranging from bar snacks to satisfying main dishes and sweet desserts. On his website, Jeremy Clarkson describes the pub as more than just a pub but a restaurant with additional offerings like a farm shop, butcher, and off licence, as well as a pet-friendly environment.
Jeremy was actively involved on the opening day – seen pulling pints for customers and chatting with visitors. Clarkson’s representatives have been approached for further statements.