Series One of Clarkson's Farm – Jeremy Clarkson's new TV show on Amazon Prime Video – launched in June 2021 and it was a huge success. The show grew a devoted fan base and garnered much attention for Jeremy's farm and his Diddly Squat Farm Shop, in Chipping Norton, in the Cotswolds.
Series two was also met with much anticipation last year and now fans of the show are thrilled as the third season of Clarkson's Farm has dropped on Amazon Prime.
For the third instalment of the series, the Diggly Squat gang are back, with Jeremy Kaleb Cooper, Charlie, Lisa and Gerald up to a whole host of new projects from rearing pigs to growing mushrooms.
Jeremy Clarkson's farm – which he has lovingly named Diddly Squat Farm as a nod to his amateur farming status – is located in Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds. Clarkson's Farm follows Jeremy being taught how to run his own farm by a group of local farmers and agricultural experts. This includes sidekick Kaleb Cooper, who is Chipping Norton born and bred and never wants to leave the area.
"I love my life. I am very, very happy," Kaleb told Country Living. "I don’t understand why anyone would want to go to London and stay in London but that’s completely up to them. Farming for me is not a job. It’s a way of life."
Although Jeremy Clarkson has owned the farm since 2008, he has only just decided to take it on himself, after the previous contract farmer announced his retirement. "I genuinely believed that you’d put seeds in the ground and then weather would happen and then food would grow and I’d go on a skiing holiday – that’s what I thought farming was," he admitted.
Learning how to be a farmer has shown Jeremy a different side to life in Chipping Norton, in the north of the Cotswolds. But let's start from the beginning with this beautiful town. Here's everything you need to know about Chipping Norton...
Where is Jeremy Clarkson's farm?
Diddly Squat Farm lies between Chipping Norton and Chadlington in Oxfordshire. It is in the northern tip of the Cotswolds.
"It is a perfectly average farm really," Jeremy told us. "1,000 acres, a few sheep, wheat, barley, rape. We wanted to say ‘this is what it’s like farming’ [with the new show] and that’s what we’ve tried to do."
Diddly Squat Farm is not organic but Jeremy, Kaleb and the team work hard to encourage wildlife where they can, striking a balance between sustainable farming and affordable produce.
"We’ve created quite a big wetland area for insects. We’ve got beetle strips running through the fields. We’ve put turtle dove mix in," Jeremy listed. "We do quite a bit to attract wildlife and birds and bees. We’ve put owl boxes up. We really have worked very hard but then do I dump a load of glyphosate on the crop? Yea I do."
Where is The Diddly Squat Farm shop?
The Diddly Squat Farm Shop is located on the farm. It sells the farm's produce as well as products from local growers and makers. Alongside food, you can also find clothes, kitchen accessories and gifts. Jeremy describes it as being "full of good, no-nonsense things you'll like" and emphasises on the website that "we do not, for example, sell kale."
The website also reads: "Established in 2020, Diddly Squat Farm Shop was the brainchild of Jeremy Clarkson after realising that potatoes did indeed grow well on his farm and he had accidentally produced 40 tonnes of them. From there, with his partner Lisa, he bought hives and began to produce and sell bee juice, along with apple juice and cow juice from a local dairy."
Where is Chipping Norton?
Chipping Norton is the highest town in Oxfordshire, perched on a hillside where a Norman castle once stood. The word 'Chipping' comes from the old English word for 'market.' There are other Cotswold market towns with the same naming convention including Chipping Campden and Chipping Sodbury.
Chipping Norton is famous for its wool and tweed production which has attracted shoppers to its market since the 13th century. The town is home to Bliss Tweed Mill, designed by George Woodhouse. It's a grand building which looks more like a mansion that a textiles factory.
Chipping Norton, known to locals as 'Chippy', is also home to an impressive church, thought to have one of the best church interiors in the Cotswolds.
Read more:
- 10 of the best walks in the Cotswolds for a glorious countryside ramble
- 10 ideas for weekend breaks in the Cotswolds, whatever the season
- 17 photos that prove the Cotswolds is one of the prettiest places in the world
What is Chipping Norton famous for?
Chipping Norton and the surrounding North Cotswold villages are, today, well known for being a high-end, sought-after location to live in. The honey-hued Cotswold stone homes can carry a huge price tag and are owned by many celebrities and even royals.
The Duke and duch*ess of Sussex reportedly moved to Beaconsfield Farm, a property on the Great Tew Estate near Chipping Norton, temporarily in May 2018 before their wedding.
It was also widely reported that Harry and Megan were planning to build a new manor house in the village of Great Tew, worth £13 million.
The website of the Great Tew Estate reads: "The Great Tew Estate encapsulates much of what might be considered the archetypal English Country Estate. Spring lambs playing in rolling grassland, oak woods with a carpet of bluebells, chocolate box thatch cottages... the Great Tew Estate is all this and much more."
Just south of Chipping Norton and Great Tew is Soho Farmhouse, a members-only hotel popular among locals and celebrities, including the Beckhams.
Also, just down the road from Chipping Norton, is Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park where he presents Countryfile.
People and properties aside, the area surrounding Chipping Norton is also loved for its beautiful countryside. The northern part of the Cotswolds is more hilly than the south, meaning rolling views and picture-perfect rambling opportunities.
Chipping Norton in pictures
Bliss Mill, Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton Church
Chipping Norton countryside
Chipping Norton Town Hall
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The best hotels in the Cotswolds: our ultimate guide
Buckland Manor, Worcestershire
This country-house hotel is near the village church in Buckland, with 10 acres of land to stroll around. Guests can enjoy an aperitif beside the fireplace in the lounge, before a dinner of locally sourced ingredients, much of which come from the Vale of Evesham – if you haven’t over-indulged during afternoon tea, that is. Buckland Manor
The Slaughters Manor House, Gloucestershire
A little more modern than your average Cotswolds retreat, the stylish Slaughters Manor House is in the village of Lower Slaughter in Gloucestershire. The decor inside this 17th-century retreat spans both old and new: there are corniced ceilings, tan Chesterfields and four-poster beds, alongside bright pink armchairs and white wingbacks.
Order a drink at the marble-topped bar, enjoy the billiards room, or spend rainy days playing board games in the cosy snug. And for when the weather’s fine, there are five acres of landscaped gardens featuring redwoods and horse chestnuts, plus a tennis court and croquet lawn.
Thyme, Gloucestershire
If you’re looking for the dream Cotswolds stay, you’ve found it in Thyme, a collection of 17th-century, honey-coloured cottages set across the sprawling Southrop Manor estate in Gloucestershire. Everything you could hope for is present and correct, from wood-burning stoves, beamed ceilings and roll-top bath tubs, to canopied beds, a cookery school and a superb spa.
At the latter, there’s a veranda in the garden to relax in after your treatment, as well as the Botanical Bothy, a space where it’s impossible not to feel calm.
The Greenway Hotel and Spa, Gloucestershire
This spa hotel is between the town of Cheltenham and the city of Gloucester in Gloucestershire. The ivy-covered Elizabethan manor now has a hydrotherapy pool, outdoor hot tub and nail bar where you can sip champagne during manicures. The Greenway Hotel's original English country charm still prevails, though, with open fires, wooden floors and cosy interiors to enjoy. Further relaxation comes courtesy of the views over the rolling Cotswold hills.
The estate covers eight acres – and from the oak-panelled Garden Room Restaurant, you’ll be able to admire the sunken garden and ornate lily pond.
The Lion Inn, Gloucestershire
A restaurant with rooms in the Cotswolds, the Lion Inn has a heritage spanning half a millennia. The 500-year-old inn is in the Gloucestershire town of Winchcombe, with eight guestrooms and various places to enjoy its locally sourced, seasonal and regularly changing menus.
It has a restaurant, bar, garden and snug, so you can be sure that there’s a dining space to suit whatever you’re celebrating. In the summer though, it will be hard to beat sitting in the garden, enjoying the sunshine outside amid the lavender.
Woolley Grange, Wiltshire
The family-friendly Woolley Grange in Wiltshire is set within a 17th-century Jacobean manor, with extensive gardens and lots of space for children to enjoy. It's a wholesome kind of stay, especially for little ones – the activities on offer for younger guests include picking fruit in the garden, collecting eggs from the chickens, children's afternoon teas and playing in the kids’ club.
The 14 acres feature ancient trees and a walled garden, and there are special suites for glamping in the grounds. The estate is in Bradford-on-Avon and just outside of Bath, making it perfect for day trips.
The Lygon Arms, Worcestershire
Famous former guests to have called in to this Worcestershire coaching inn include Charles I, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton – and its sister property Cliveden House in Berkshire has similarly starry credentials. The Lygon Arms
The Frogmill, Gloucestershire
Close to the Regency town of Cheltenham, the Frogmill is a classic Cotswolds pub with a seasonal menu, an extensive selection of tipples to try and a fire-pit in the garden helping to improve alfresco drinking conditions should the weather not be playing ball. Fortunately for those who have over-indulged (or spent a little too long getting competitive while playing games in the snug), there are 28 rooms to stopover in, with hearty breakfasts helping to rouse you come morning.
The 16th-century inn was renovated a few years ago, but all of its original charms (and beamed ceilings) thankfully remain intact.
De Vere Cotswold Water Park, Gloucestershire
With no fewer than 152 lakes on its doorstep, De Vere Cotswold Water Park in Gloucestershire is the perfect Cotswold hotel for anyone hoping to enjoy the great outdoors – and with a landscape as famously beautiful as this one, you'd be foolish not to. Helpfully, there are Hunter wellies on hand to borrow, so even the weather won’t be able to stop you.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, dine at the Old Boathouse or the hotel’s brasserie. And if you've really maxed out the step count, you can soothe sore limbs at the spa’s hydrotherapy pool. Pets can join the fun, too.
Cotswold House Hotel & Spa, Gloucestershire
In the charming market town of Chipping Campden, Cotswold House Hotel is set within a Grade II-listed Regency townhouse, with a spa in the former stable. Many of the rooms – which have features such as roll-top baths and original beams – overlook the rolling Cotswold countryside, and others have views of the town’s honey-hued buildings.
Room option include hot-tub suites with private terraces for midnight dips, some of which are set across two floors. At the Bistro on the Square, you can enjoy everything from coffees to co*cktails, and there are more than 70 types of gin stocked for the perfect G&T.
Ellenborough Park, Gloucestershire
Calling all horse-racing fans, this is the Cotswolds hotel for you. Ellenborough Park is stately stay opposite Cheltenham Racecourse, with a panelled Great Hall and equally opulent bedrooms.
The 15th-century manor sits on 90 acres of parkland – borrow a pair of Dubarry boots and a waxed jacket, before setting off on one of the trails for a bracing walk. Waiting for you on your return is the Horse Box brasserie, with tartan floors and plenty of tweed accents. And there’s an outdoor pool for guests to enjoy when the weather allows.
Whatley Manor, Wiltshire
This luxurious Wiltshire stay is near the market town of Malmesbury, with a Michelin-starred restaurant, a superlative spa and immaculate gardens that include terraces, lawns and an organic kitchen plot. The country-house hotel is just a short drive away from Bath.
At Whatley Manor’s Aquarias Spa, book a treatment by Parisian brand Sothys, then if the weather’s fine, relax on one of the sunloungers beside the outdoor pool. If it’s a little nippy, simply retreat indoors to one of the heated stone recliners instead.
Wild Thyme & Honey, Gloucestershire
This Cotswolds hotel is just outside of Cirencester, in the Gloucestershire village of Ampney Crucis. At Wild Thyme & Honey’s heart is a 16th-century pub, the Crown at Ampney Brook (named for the stream of water gently trickling by), now with several bedrooms attached, making it the perfect cosy base for exploring this most photogenic part of Britain. And there are Hunter wellies to borrow should you find yourself unequipped for the elements.
Some of the rooms feature freestanding bath tubs beside the bed, and there are certain design elements that wouldn’t look out of place in a Manhattan loft, such as exposed brickwork and hanging lamps suspended above either side of the beds.
The Pig and the Village Pub, Gloucestershire
This summer, the Cotswolds gets its very own Pig, with the arrival of the Pig and the Village just outside of Cirencester. The site it is set to occupy was until recently the acclaimed Barnsley House, long considered one of the best luxury hotels in the Cotswolds. As the name suggests, the hotel will be set across the main house, which dates back to the 17th century, and the traditional village pub next door.
As befits the former home of the accomplished gardener Rosemary Verey, the grounds at the honey-hued manor are beautiful – and extensive. They feature an ornamental fruit and vegetable garden, statues by Simon Verity and the famous Laburnum Walk, with a meadow at the edge.
The spa will remain intact, and you can also expect some of the delicious locally sourced dining that the brand is famous for. The centre of Cirencester is just four miles away, so it is the perfect base for a town and country break.
The Lakes by Yoo, Gloucestershire
Surround yourself with some of the scenic countryside that the Cotswolds is famous for with a trip to the Lakes by Yoo, which sits on a vast estate spanning 850 acres of lakes, meadows and woodlands. Guests can choose between self-catering accommodation options such as cabins by the water’s edge and apartments. Once you’ve enjoyed the great outdoors (and all of the activities on offer, ranging from paddle-boarding to zip-lining), head to the impressive spa for treatments by leading brands such as Dr Barbara Sturm, Wildsmith Skin and Cosmoss by Kate Moss.
Nearby is the town of Lechlade, which is a charming place for a stroll – regardless of the time of year, you’ll be able to pick up some beautiful Christmas baubles from the much-loved Cotswold Christmas Shop on the high street. You’ll also be able to visit Kelmscott Manor, which was once the summer home of William Morris – the Grade I-listed farmhouse, on the banks of the River Thames, was built some time around 1600.
Artist Residence, Oxfordshire
A little over 20 minutes by car from the centre of Oxford, this edition of the Artist Residence group has made its home in a 16th-century inn. There are bedrooms in the main house, as well as a shepherd’s hut and converted barns and stables for anyone in search of more unusual accommodation.
For something both cosy and spacious, book one of the Stable Suites, which have a roll-top bath beside the fireplace, or a Barn Suite, with freestanding bath tubs, four-poster beds and log-burners. The hotel’s restaurant, the Mason Arms, is the perfect village pub, with good beer, fireplaces and a menu of hearty dishes, as well as plenty of artworks, of course.
More UK hotels to browse:
- The best places to stay in Pembrokeshire
- The best hotels in Suffolk
- Where to stay in Dorset
- Luxury hotels in Northumberland
