Jeremy Clarkson Reveals He Has ‘Had a Look’ at Moving Abroad Amid Farming Struggles and National Discontent
Jeremy Clarkson, the outspoken television presenter turned farmer, has revealed that he has considered the possibility of moving abroad. Writing in his latest column for The Sunday Times, the 65-year-old Clarkson admitted that he has been weighing the idea, driven in part by what he describes as growing discontent in the UK.
The former Top Gear star, who has reinvented himself in recent years through his hit Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm, suggested that the state of the nation has left him — and many others — pondering whether life might be better elsewhere.
From Motorhead to Farmer
Clarkson first purchased the land in Chadlington, Oxfordshire, in 2008 when it was known as Curdle Hill Farm. For years, it was managed by a local farmer, until Clarkson decided in 2019 to take full responsibility for the 1,000-acre property himself.
This leap into farming formed the basis of Clarkson’s Farm, now four seasons strong on Amazon Prime. The series has turned Clarkson into an unlikely champion for Britain’s embattled farmers, offering both comedy and heartfelt commentary on the difficulties of modern agriculture.
But despite his new career success, Clarkson has faced no shortage of obstacles. Recent months brought a fresh blow to Diddly Squat Farm when an outbreak of Bovine Tuberculosis threatened his livestock — just the latest in a string of setbacks, from red tape to poor harvests.
“The Country Is Becoming More and More Unhappy”
In his column, Clarkson described a climate of unease in Britain that has left many people — himself included — questioning their future in the country.
“The country is becoming more and more unhappy, and as a result, a lot of people are now seriously thinking of upping sticks and moving to somewhere else,” he wrote.
Clarkson floated Australia, New Zealand, and even America as “obvious choices” for those looking to relocate, though he admitted he had researched the logistics and found the reality far less appealing.
“You can’t just buy a house and open a local bank account. There are forms and requirements, and it all looks a bit tiresome,” he noted.
The Risks of Leaving
While acknowledging the lure of starting afresh abroad, Clarkson was quick to highlight the risks involved. Life in another country, he said, may not necessarily deliver the happiness or stability that some hope for.
“If you move abroad, in three-and-a-half years you will be living in another country, and God knows what it will be like there then,” Clarkson warned. “Whereas if you stay here, in three-and-a-half years you’ll be surrounded by your friends and family.”
He went on to dismiss many destinations as “either boring or terrifying,” ultimately suggesting that the grass may not be greener elsewhere.
Politics and Personal Preference
Clarkson’s reflections also carried a political undertone. He mentioned the possibility of moving to America for those “of a Trump disposition,” before quipping that the “horror of Starmer will have gone” if he simply stays in Britain and waits.
Though characteristically tongue-in-cheek, his comments reveal both his frustration with the current climate and his recognition of the comfort found in familiarity, community, and family ties.
A Farmer Staying Put?
Despite his musings, Clarkson appears unlikely to abandon Diddly Squat Farm just yet. His television series continues to draw millions of viewers, and his growing influence as a voice for British farmers has made him an unexpected figure of rural advocacy.
For now, Clarkson seems resigned to remain in the Cotswolds — at least until the frustrations of farming or the turbulence of national politics push him further toward the idea of packing up for good.
But as with much in Clarkson’s life, the future remains uncertain, and fans will no doubt watch closely to see whether the man who once raced supercars around the world will one day trade his Oxfordshire fields for pastures new overseas.
