Following Richard Hammond’s recent relocation to a six-bedroom Georgian manor in Abergavenny, Wales, speculation has stirred among locals that Jeremy Clarkson might follow suit, abandoning his cherished Oxfordshire farm. Residents worry that Clarkson’s departure would disrupt the quiet charm of the area surrounding his Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington and The Farmer’s Dog pub in Asthall.
The Abergavenny Chronicle highlighted these unease, reporting that locals fear once Clarkson discovers the appeal of the Welsh countryside from Hammond, he might be tempted to buy property nearby. Not In Our Backyard (NOB) expressed their view, stating that while Hammond keeps a low profile, Clarkson’s presence at Diddly Squat has turned Chipping Norton into “an absolute circus.”
Clarkson has now addressed these rumors head-on in a recent column for The Sun, using his trademark wit to dismiss the notion. He wrote, “Residents in the pretty Welsh town of Abergavenny said this week that after Richard Hammond bought a house in the area, they were ‘fearful’ that I’d do the same thing.”
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He added with a cutting remark, “Well relax, boyos, because why would I want to live near Richard Hammond? The roads are dangerous enough as it is without having to worry about him coming round the corner, on fire and on his roof.” This humorous comment nods to Hammond’s infamous accidents during filming, most notably his 2006 Vampire Dragster crash.
Despite stepping away from their long-running television collaboration earlier this year after 22 years, Clarkson, Hammond, and James May continue to maintain their friendships and support each other’s endeavors. Hammond recently told the Oxford Mail that despite not socializing extensively outside work, the trio remains close, frequently meeting at events and still cherishing their enduring bond.