The Farmer’s Dog is a pub owned by Jeremy Clarkson and located just outside Burford in the Cotswolds. Wanting to support British farming more directly, he took over an existing country pub and reworked it with a clear focus on British produce, particularly meat and ingredients sourced from UK farms. The pub blends old-fashioned rural charm, and it is honestly perfect for the area it’s situated in. The decor is classy with wooden accents everywhere, and of course, the famous hanging tractor upon arrival at the pub.
Since opening, the pub has drawn plenty of attention, partly because of Clarkson’s name and partly because it fits neatly into his story on his prime television show, Clarkson’s Farm. Outside, there was a small Christmas market, which, while pleasant enough, wasn’t particularly memorable or unique; however, it was a one-off event that Jeremy had put on.
Inside the pub, however, things improved dramatically. The ambience was warm and welcoming, with a lively buzz that made it feel special and festive without being overwhelming.
The food certainly sat at a higher end of the price scale, but everything sold in the pub is British, and there’s even a list of farmers on the wall to explain where the meat comes from.
I absolutely loved the array of drinks on offer, including a variety of soft drinks, as well as Hawkstone Lager and cider.
It was clear that the quality of the food justified the cost. I ordered the turkey, priced at £26, which came with roast potatoes, a pig in blanket and seasonal greens. The portion size was decent, and the turkey was incredibly succulent, cooked perfectly and full of flavour.
To finish, I had an apple and oat crumble cake for £12, which was served warm, fluffy and deeply comforting. It would have been even tastier with custard instead of ice cream in the winter months, and it was one of the most expensive puddings I’ve ever had. However, every bite was delicious and felt like a proper homemade treat.
To top off the evening, I even met Clarkson himself, which added a memorable and distinctly personal touch to what was already a very enjoyable night.
If I had to sum up the whole evening in one word, it would be expensive, but in a way that feels justified. Running a place like The Farmer’s Dog clearly comes with significant overheads, and it shows in the pricing, but it also shows in the quality. The food was genuinely amazing, and the service was impeccable. By the end of the night, it felt less like overpaying and more like paying for a solid experience done properly, which I do not mind at all.
I highly recommend visiting The Farmer’s Dog if you ever have the chance, even if the waitlist is long; I was lucky to find a table at this time of year.
There was only one thing which could have made my dinner even better, and that was a Yorkshire pudding. Controversial for some, but they belong on every roast dinner for me.
