Jeremy Clarkson, the television presenter turned farmer, has shared how he has managed to maintain the verdant lawns at his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog, despite being subject to the nationwide hosepipe ban implemented amid prolonged heatwaves and drought.
The Farmer’s Dog, situated in Burford, Oxfordshire, is among many venues affected by water restrictions imposed by companies to conserve supplies during exceptionally dry conditions. Approximately 40% of the UK population currently faces similar restrictions, limiting activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, and filling paddling pools.
However, Clarkson disclosed in his newspaper column that he has utilised a legal exception to these restrictions by accessing water through a private borehole. He likened this approach to that of Sir Rod Stewart, who has reportedly maintained green lawns at his Essex mansion during the hosepipe ban.
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Writing candidly, Clarkson explained: “An aerial photograph of the lush green lawns outside Sir Rod Stewart’s sprawling mansion in Essex prompted the nation’s bitter people to ask: ‘How did you manage that, mate, when there’s a hosepipe ban in force?’ Well, let’s think. Could it be, perhaps, that Rod, here with wife Penny, probably has a borehole. It’s not a difficult concept to get your head round.”
He elaborated that by drilling a borehole approximately 100 metres deep and installing a pump, it is possible to access underground water independently of the public mains supply. This method allows watering without breaching drought regulations as it does not draw from the treated public water network.
Clarkson confirmed: “That’s what we did at my pub, which is why the lawns are also weirdly verdant.”
While effective, installing a borehole can be costly, potentially running into tens of thousands of pounds. Clarkson acquired the pub, formerly The Windmill, in 2024 for under £1 million, and following substantial renovations, the venue reopened in August 2024, drawing hundreds of patrons.
Operating from Tuesday to Saturday, The Farmer’s Dog distinguishes itself by exclusively using produce sourced from Britain, adding to its appeal among visitors in the Cotswolds region.