As a devoted fan of Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm show, I was beyond excited to visit the famous Oxfordshire location and maybe even spot Clarkson himself. Fans often describe him as a friendly and welcoming host, happy to chat or snap photos when he’s around.
My partner surprised me with a fantastic birthday gift: a weekend getaway to the Cotswolds, including a charming night in the picturesque town of Chipping Norton. It seemed the perfect opportunity to soak in the beauty of the farm and hopefully meet some of the show’s stars, like Gerald and Kaleb Cooper, who, despite sharing a surname, aren’t related.
Determined to make the most of our two-night stay, we set off early on a chilly November Saturday, eager for the two-and-a-half-hour drive. We arrived at our Airbnb lodge, a snug retreat complete with a cosy log burner and rustic Cotswold charm.
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After lunch, despite the cold and persistent rain, we geared up for a walk—a less enjoyable part of our trip, but we pushed through. With Sunday’s forecast predicting more rain, we switched plans, deciding to explore local shops in Chipping Norton instead of the farm, hoping to stay dry.
This last-minute change turned out to be our biggest mistake. Not thinking through the revised itinerary thoroughly, we postponed our farm visit until Monday. Unfortunately, we failed to check the farm’s opening days. When Monday came, we discovered that the renowned Diddly Squat Farm Shop was closed to the public on both Mondays and Tuesdays.
On our way to the farm, we breezed through what we expected to be busy, narrow country roads with surprising ease. But the excitement quickly faded when we arrived at the farm. Instead of the lively atmosphere we envisioned, the car park was eerily empty, encircled by a simple rope and a “closed” sign.
Though disappointed, the trip wasn’t a total loss. We managed to snap a perfect, uncrowded photo with the iconic Diddly Squat Farm sign — a silver lining to an otherwise frustrating experience.
Clarkson’s Farm can be streamed on Amazon Prime, offering fans a glimpse of the farm’s charm from the comfort of their own homes.