Clarkson’s Cotswolds Pub Left Out of CAMRA’s Beer Bible 2026 – But Why?
Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswolds Pub Snubbed from CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2026
Jeremy Clarkson is no stranger to headlines, but his latest appearance in the news isn’t the one he may have hoped for. The TV presenter’s Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog, has been left out of the 2026 edition of the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) prestigious Good Beer Guide. Despite its popularity, glowing reviews, and even a starring role in Clarkson’s hit Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm, the pub failed to make the cut.
A High-Profile Venture
The pub, once known as The Windmill, sits in the idyllic village of Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire. Clarkson purchased the property in 2023 for around £1 million and embarked on extensive renovations before relaunching it in August 2024 under its new name, The Farmer’s Dog.
Positioned as both a traditional Cotswolds pub and a showcase for Clarkson’s Hawkstone brand, the venue has since become a magnet for fans and tourists. Visitors flock daily to sample Hawkstone lager, cider, IPA, and stout, pairing their drinks with hearty, locally sourced food. Much like Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop in Chadlington, the pub quickly grew into a tourist attraction in its own right.
Its success was such that it became a central storyline in Season 4 of Clarkson’s Farm, drawing millions of viewers and boosting its national profile.
The CAMRA Snub
Despite the buzz, Clarkson’s pub was absent from CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2026. The guide, regarded as the bible for beer lovers, highlights 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK each year. In Oxfordshire alone, 67 pubs were chosen for inclusion, but The Farmer’s Dog did not make the list.
And Clarkson isn’t alone. Another notable omission was The Bull in Charlbury, a highly regarded gastropub led by Michelin-starred chef Sally Abé. Earlier this year, The Bull even hosted former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris—proof of its prestige and international appeal.
How the Guide Works
The Good Beer Guide is not simply a list of popular pubs or celebrity-backed venues. CAMRA explained that the selection process is volunteer-led and fiercely competitive. Local CAMRA branches submit entries based on quality of cask beer, service, and consistency, with the goal of championing establishments that best serve the traditional real ale community.
A spokesperson told the Oxford Mail:
“The Guide is the definitive guidebook to pubs that serve great cask beer, and uses an independent, volunteer-led selection process that makes it the authoritative and trusted voice of cask beer drinkers. Listings in the Guide are highly competitive and do change year on year. Entries in the Guide are decided by the hardworking volunteers of local CAMRA branches across the UK.”
This explanation suggests that while Clarkson’s pub may be commercially popular, it may not yet meet CAMRA’s strict criteria for cask ale excellence.
Popularity vs. Prestige
The omission raises questions about the difference between a pub’s reputation among the public and its recognition among beer connoisseurs. Clarkson’s fans may argue that The Farmer’s Dog deserves a spot given its booming popularity, while CAMRA insists the focus must remain on quality of cask beer above all else.
For Clarkson, the snub may sting all the more because of his pub’s role in his larger farming and brewing brand. Hawkstone has been heavily promoted through his ventures, and its presence at the pub was meant to position it as a hallmark of modern British brewing.
A Familiar Pattern
This isn’t the first time Clarkson’s projects have clashed with local or national institutions. His Diddly Squat Farm Shop has faced its own hurdles over planning permissions, traffic chaos, and council restrictions. Now, his pub finds itself overlooked in a guide many landlords consider the ultimate stamp of approval.
Still, if Clarkson’s history is any guide, he may well use the snub to his advantage. Negative press often fuels his popularity, and Clarkson’s Farm has thrived on controversy as much as on success.
What’s Next for The Farmer’s Dog?
For now, the pub continues to thrive with locals, tourists, and fans alike. Weekend crowds spill into the car park, Hawkstone sales are brisk, and the atmosphere remains lively. Yet whether The Farmer’s Dog can eventually win over CAMRA’s volunteers remains an open question.
The 2026 Good Beer Guide may have passed Clarkson by, but for a man who has built a career on defying expectations, this could simply be another chapter in a story where setbacks fuel greater comebacks.
