Jeremy Clarkson described his pub opening as a ‘disaster’, but he was left with many happy customers.
The former Top Gear and Grand Tour host officially opened The Farmer’s Dog in Oxfordshire on Friday after renaming the former Windmill and renovating the site.
The first day saw hundreds of people queueing up for hours to try out the food, sip on a Hawkstone beer and meet the new landlord.
Before the big day, Jeremy – who has already banned Sir Keir Starmer over issues with the conditions for farmers in Britain – thanked Oxfordshire County Council for ‘all their help’ in the buildup, although he later admitted the opening was a ‘disaster’.
‘There have been massive, massive struggles. We quietly opened yesterday and it was a disaster – and I do mean a disaster,’ he told PA, while the launch was being filmed.
‘We’ve resolved some of the difficulties today. The main thing everyone has been saying is that we will cause traffic chaos.
‘We’ve worked so hard to make sure we can park as many cars as we need to. The traffic is flowing brilliantly. The council have learned their lessons and they have been really helpful.’
On Google, punters have made their feelings clear, with one person hailing the boozer ‘the greatest pub in the world’, as another person wrote: ‘Great location, great selection of British produce and beer. Would highly recommend.’
And a third person said: ‘Beautiful building, tasteful decor. Stunning views. Lovely people. Marvellous food.’
Others weren’t quite so impressed, with a handful of one star reviews complaining about parking issues on the former dogging site and high prices.
One person said: ‘Great idea and love the plan behind it. Disappointing to go and not find a single vegan option though.
‘All for backing British farmers, but let’s go forwards rather than backwards. We grow some of the finest produce which can create incredible vegan dishes.’
And another customers argued: ‘Car park was a churned up muddy mess on day 2. I think the whole place is work in progress and should be better when it’s finished.
‘The Sausage and Mash portion is tiny and overpriced. Production line food which it has to be to cope with the sheer number of customers. Not for me but each to his own.’
On the pub’s website, Jeremy describes the venture as more than ‘just a pub’, highlighting the food in particular.
The description says it’s ‘the first Hawkstone filling station’, adding: ‘But it’s not just a pub. It’s also a restaurant.
‘And in the garden, there’s a farm shop, and a butcher, and an off licence, and a bar and an outpost where you can grab a fantastic meaty snack to enjoy on the lawns.
‘Children are welcome. So are dogs. Everyone is.’
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