The Farmer’s Dog Review: Is Jeremy Clarkson’s Pub Actually Worth the Hype?

Alright, foodies, grab your wellies.

Remind you Jeremy Clarkson is the owner

Today we are going for a journey deep into the Cotswolds - checking out The Farmer’s Dog, the highly anticipated country pub opened by Jeremy Clarkson. With thousands of glowing reviews plastered all over TikTok and Instagram, I rolled up expecting a literal culinary miracle. The reality? It’s a cracking good feed, but it might just be a tiny bit of a victim of its own massive internet hype.

Nice character building

Let's start with the positives: the food here is genuinely lovely. We are talking proper British comfort food, served up in absolutely massive portions that guarantee you won't leave hungry. Best of all, for a place attached to a major celebrity name, it actually won't break the bank.

Nicely cooked and tender pork rib

Let's start with the positives: the food here is genuinely lovely. We are talking proper British comfort food, served up in absolutely massive portions that guarantee you won't leave hungry. Best of all, they have a strict commitment to using 100% British, local produce from local farms, which is fantastic for supporting the farming community and keeping things fresh. For a place attached to a major celebrity name, it actually won't break the bank.

Lamb is a bit dry 

We popped in for a late lunch on a weekday, and the place was absolutely packed to the rafters. Because of the sheer volume of people, the staff were a bit slow on the uptake when it came to taking our orders.

Great flavour from the garlic mushroom on toast

Thankfully, the atmosphere is brilliant enough to make up for the slow start. The buzz inside is infectious, and the outdoor garden area and cute little farm shop on site are well worth a proper look before you head off. Go for a great, filling pub lunch in a beautiful setting—just leave the expectations of a Michelin star at the door.

Word of advice if you want to visit: securing a seat here is an absolute nightmare. It is generally hard to get a table, so make sure to book a month earlier to avoid disappointment. They open their booking slots sharp at 9am 1 month early, so set an alarm if you want to secure your spot!

Verdict: The Farmer's Dog serves up hearty, well-priced pub classics with great vibes, though service struggles under the weight of massive internet hype.

Rating
Food: 4/5 - Genuinely lovely, generous portions of classic pub comfort food that won't break the bank.
Service: 3.5/5 - A bit slow on the uptake when ordering because the venue was absolutely packed out.
Decor: 4.5/5 - Brilliant atmosphere with a beautiful garden area and an adorable little shop to browse.
Value: 4.5/5 - Excellent value for money considering the celebrity attachment and the sheer size of the portions.
Overall: 4/5 - A cracking spot for a proper feed, just don't go expecting a mind-blowing culinary miracle.

Estimated Cost Per Person: £18 – £28
Restaurant Info
Address: Asthall, Burford, OX18 4HJ