Jeremy Clarkson is taking his dedication to British agriculture to the next level at his Cotswolds venture, The Farmer’s Dog. The pub recently made headlines after refusing a customer’s request to bring in a birthday cake, citing a firm rule that all ingredients used at the establishment must come from within a 16-mile radius.
The customer’s enquiry about bringing a cake for a celebration was met with a polite but definitive refusal from the pub staff. The response, as reported by The Sun, emphasized the pub’s unwavering commitment to sourcing 100% British food products. “As part of our commitment to back British farming, we kindly ask that only 100% British food products are brought into the pub; this sadly includes birthday cakes,” the email stated.
Clarkson’s strict ingredient policy is an extension of his well-known mission to support local farmers, a theme central to his Amazon Prime series, Clarkson’s Farm, and now The Farmer’s Dog pub, which he opened in 2024. Located in Asthall near Burford—just 12 miles from Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm—the pub serves as a practical example of his farm-to-table ethos.
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Locals and fans view The Farmer’s Dog as a tangible step in revitalizing British farming and pub culture. However, this comes with significant restrictions. Beyond the birthday cake ban, The Farmer’s Dog has ditched globally sourced staples like Coca-Cola, coffee, and tomato sauce in favor of locally produced alternatives.
Clarkson has openly admitted the financial challenges his approach presents. In his book, Diddly Squat: The Farmer’s Dog, he revealed that the strict use of local ingredients means losing roughly £10 for every customer who walks through the door. Undeterred, Clarkson insists on serving only British-grown or reared food and beverages, choosing British wine and exclusively Hawkstone beer brewed from British barley.
The pub is prominently featured in the fourth series of Clarkson’s Farm, capturing the hurdles Clarkson faces—from planning restrictions to supplier shortages—while pursuing his vision. This latest rule reinforces his uncompromising stance on supporting domestic agriculture, offering a glimpse into the unique, locally rooted experience The Farmer’s Dog aims to provide.