Visiting Clarkson’s Farm
If you've been following the Amazon series 'Clarkson's Farm,' then you're well aware of what a successful series it has been for the famous, if not infamous, television broadcaster and journalist, Jeremy Clarkson. If you haven't heard of the series, where have you been? But to cover all the bases, here are the headlines.
"Clarkson's Farm" is a British documentary series available on Amazon Prime Video, featuring Jeremy Clarkson, who decides to become a farmer and run his own 1000-acre farm in the Cotswolds region of England. The show follows Clarkson's humorous and often challenging journey as he tries to manage the farm and navigate the complexities of modern agriculture, despite having no prior farming experience.
There two prevailing theories as to why the farm is named "Diddly Squat Farm," a play on words, indicating either his lack of experience in farming and the challenges he faces or the amount of money the farm was making.
We understand that Clarkson often expresses divisive opinions, especially as the renowned Petrol Head, has routinely poked fun at the caravan and motorhome community. However, we don't take that too seriously and enjoy the lightheartedness of the show. We count ourselves as fans of Top Gear, Grand Tour, as well as Clarkson's Farm. Consequently, visiting this location has been on our radar for some time. This is an account of our experience spending a few days here.
Where to stay
Rather conveniently, there is a Caravan and Camping Club Site adjacent to the farm, which has become even more popular now, though the Cotswolds have always been a favoured destination. The site wardens were very competent and worked diligently, greeting everyone with a smile as they passed. However, it must be said that the site is looking a little tired. Here is the location of the Diddly Squat Farm shop.
The shop is smaller than we envisaged, but it is well-stocked with local produce, including the very nice Hawkstone Lager brewed by the Cotswold Brew Company and named after the neolithic stone located on Clarkson's farm, known as the Hawkstone. The beer went down very nicely while watching the Manchester United friendly against Lyon. Happy days were had, which included enjoying the very tasty Hawkstone Lager and Pork Sausages for tea. It's evident that you don't need to be a millionaire to live like one.
As well as visiting Diddly Squat Farm Shop, Chipping Norton is worth a visit and is accessible via a bus service, or you can opt for a 1.8-mile walk along the road. Most of this route is on a footpath, apart from a 300-meter section of unpaved roadway, which requires some care. However you choose to travel, the town is worth a visit, and there are plenty of nice shops, cafes, and bars to make your visit worthwhile.
We were especially delighted to encounter Gerald, our favorite character from Clarkson's Farm. We found him to be humble, charming, and wearing a broad smile as we acknowledged him.
In addition to walking to Chipping Norton, a shorter route awaits by turning right out of the site and heading downhill into Chadlington. This path leads you to the Tite Inn, a pub that is truly worth visiting for both its delectable food and delightful drinks, especially as it offers beverages supplied by the Cotswold Brew Company and boasts a fine selection of ales.
After being suitably refreshed, prepare for a bit of a haul back up the hill to the site. Fear not, though, as it's absolutely worth it, and you get to explore more of the beautiful Farm estate as you ascend. We genuinely hope you've enjoyed this update, and we highly recommend this location for a short visit. Whether you're a fan of the show or not, you can still have a fantastic few days here. Happy travels! - Helen and Martin
