‘I booked birthday meal at Jeremy Clarkson’s pub but will never return after what went on’

A diner who booked a birthday trip to Jeremy Clarkson’s pub has vowed never to return after what happened. The former Top Gear star opened The Farmer’s Dog in Oxfordshire in 2024.

Jeremy’s journey to transform the pub into what it is today was captured on his Amazon Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm. Since then thousands of fans of the show have passed through its doors. It has however been hit with a series of negative reviews.

Visitors have likened the pub to a fast food restaurant and complained that the service is like a “production line”. One customer who booked a 30th birthday meal claimed their family was “let down” by the experience, reports creatorzine.com.

On Tripadvisor, they wrote: “No ambience, felt like a production line, head em up, move em out, was like being served by robots.

“No acknowledgement of his birthday even though I stated it when booking. Really disappointing for a special birthday, it was a let down.

“Won’t be returning or recommending like I have in the past. This was like going to a cafe or McDonald’s – in fact I’ve probably sat longer in a fast food outlet than here for a special meal.”

Another reviewer added: “Over £25 for a pie? Rip off. Without the star name it would be only a nice pub.”

A third reviewer hit-out at the pub’s cashless payments. They wrote: “Lovely place but doesn’t support the British pound, as in card only, disappointing.”

Another customer urged people to “save their money” by not visiting the pub. They said: “Both ordered pork and it arrived in less than 10 minutes (not a good sign) and was nearly cold, meat was so dry, the singular carrot was hardly cooked, potatoes like mush and Yorkshire pudding so dry it was crumbling.

“There was no crackling as written on the menu. We weren’t asked once if we had enjoyed the food.

“It seems they value churning food out, over any sort of quality. Really disappointing.”

Other reviewers however have been won over by the venue. One said: “For our mains two of us had the sausage and mash and they were some of the best sausages we have eaten. The mash was smooth, light and delicious.

“The other member of our party had the steak pie which was full of meat and gravy and again extremely tasty. The food may have cost a little more than you would normally pay but you get what you pay for, fresh, local produce. We felt it was well worth the money.”

Another said: “My partner and I had booked The Farmers dog, of course because of the TV show. I was a little apprehensive as with somewhere so hyped there’s always the chance it will be terrible in reality.

“I needn’t have worried. We arrived early so we had time to go into the Grand Tour tent/shop which we found to be well stocked and the staff there were lovely and friendly.”

Jeremy Clarkson’s representatives have been approached for comment.