I ate at Jeremy Clarkson’s pub at Christmas and can sum it up in 1 word
I’ve been a few times over summer months but wanted to see how different it was at Christmas.
I ate at Clarkson’s pub for Christmas(Image: Sophie Harris)
The Farmer’s Dog is probably the most famous pub in Britain. Owned by Jeremy Clarkson and located just outside Burford in the Cotswolds, after a long search he took over an existing country pub and reworked it with a clear focus on British produce, particularly meat and ingredients sourced from UK farms.
The pub blends old-fashioned rural charm with classy but modern touches, with wooden accents everywhere and, of course, the famous hanging tractor just above the front door. It’s perfect for the area it’s situated in. Since opening, the pub has drawn plenty of attention, partly because of Clarkson’s name and partly because it fits neatly into his story on his prime television show, Clarkson’s Farm.
Outside, there was a small Christmas market, a one-off event arranged by Jeremy, which, while pleasant enough, wasn’t particularly memorable or unique. Inside the pub, however, things improved dramatically. The ambience was warm and welcoming, with a lively buzz that made it feel special and festive without being overwhelming.
The food certainly sat at the higher end of the price scale, but everything sold in the pub is British and there’s even a list of farmers on the wall to explain where the meat comes from. I absolutely loved the range of drinks on offer, including a variety of soft drinks as well as Hawkstone Lager and cider.
The decor in the pub was tasteful and cosy(Image: Sophie Harris)
The famous hanging tractor in the pub(Image: Sophie Harris)
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It was clear that the quality of the food justified the cost. I ordered the turkey (£26), which came with roast potatoes, a pig in blanket and seasonal greens. The portion size was decent, and the turkey was incredibly succulent, cooked perfectly and full of flavour.
To finish, I had an apple and oat crumble cake (£12) which was served warm, fluffy and deeply comforting. It would have been even tastier with custard instead of ice cream in the winter months, and it was one of the most expensive puddings I’ve ever had. However, every bite was delicious and felt like a proper homemade treat.
The dinner and pudding was delicious(Image: Sophie Harris)
To top off the evening, I even met Clarkson himself, which added a memorable and distinctly personal touch to what was already a very enjoyable night.
If I had to sum up the whole evening in one word, it would be expensive — but in a way that feels justified. Running a place like The Farmer’s Dog clearly comes with significant overheads and it shows in the pricing. But it also shows in the quality. The food was genuinely amazing and the service was impeccable. By the end of the night, it felt less like overpaying and more like paying for a solid experience done properly, which I do not mind at all.
I highly recommend visiting The Farmer’s Dog if you ever have the chance, even if the waitlist is long; I was lucky to find a table at this time of year. There was only one thing which could have made my dinner even better, and that was a Yorkshire pudding. Controversial for some, but they belong on every roast dinner for me.
