Jeremy Clarkson has sparked curiosity among fans with the name of his new pub after he learned of it’s “dogging” history.
The Grand Tour star, whose show Clarkson’s Farm is one of Prime Video’s most popular series, bought the pub following the success of his 1,000-acre Diddly Squat farm and shop, managed by his wife, Lisa Hogan.
Clarkson initially bought the farm in 2008 and took over its operation in 2019 when the previous manager retired. In July, it was announced that the 64-year-old would expand his ventures by acquiring The Windmill, a rural country pub in Asthall, located on five acres of countryside near Burford.
It is reported that he’s also documenting his journey to becoming a pub landlord for a new TV series, similar to what he did with Clarkson’s Farm.
Now weeks after giving fans a glimpse of inside the establishment on Instagram, he has revealed both the pub’s new name and its opening date this Friday.
Formerly known as The Windmill, the establishment has been rebranded as The Farmer’s Dog.
The pub’s new Instagram page announced its opening alongside a photo of the pub’s logo - a fox-red Labrador, the same breed as Clarkson’s pet dogs, Sansa and Arya.
The caption read: “The Farmer’s Dog opens Friday 23rd August 12pm ..OX18 4HJ ///grinders.fruits.pints #backbritishfarmingdrinkhawkstone ..follow us to get the latest news.”
While many fans expressed excitement over the pub’s name and launch, some speculated there might be a cheekier meaning behind it.
Comments hinted at a possible nod to the site’s past, with one user asking: “Owned by a farmer and placed on a former dogging site was the inspiration?"
Another joked: “Really missed the opportunity to call it ‘The Dogging Inn’ from what was found in the car park.”
“Knew you’d get dog(ging) in the name somehow,” a third remarked.
The quips follow a video Clarkson shared last month, where he revealed that the property had previously been a “renowned dogging spot.”
Taking to Instagram, the Prime Video star could be seen, outside the pub, holding up a pair of black and pink knickers hanging off the end of a stick.
He wrote: “Tell me you bought a pub on a dogging site without telling me you bought a pub on a dogging site.”
Clarkson previously expressed his surprise that the West Oxfordshire district council approved his plans to turn the site which is "full of dead rats," into a "fun" village pub.
Previously, it was anticipated that the pub wouldn’t open until winter, as it had to host a young couple's wedding reception this summer and required extensive repairs.
