Jeremy Clarkson has revealed how he beat a hosepipe ban – to keep his pub lawn a luscious green.
Pictures show the lush grass at the Farmer’s Dog – in stark contrast to the drought-hit fields surrounding it.
The television presenter’s pub is within an area subject to a hosepipe ban put in place last month by Thames Water that remains in force.
But in stark difference to the brown and scorched fields surrounding the Cotswolds venue drinkers at the popular boozer have been able to sit among plush green grass – despite the ban and recent lack of rain.
Clarkson defended its appearance and spoke out after criticism was aimed at other celebrities for how they were able to beat the ban and defy the drought.
Among those was Rod Stewart’s sprawling grounds in Essex which prompted some to question how they had managed to keep their laws so green.
Clarkson, who bought and renovated the former Windmill pub and reopened it as The Farmer’s Dog Asthall near Burford, in August 2024, defended the singer amid the criticism.
He revealed his own tactic for keeping his pub lawn looking healthy – a borehole.
He wrote in his newspaper column: “An aerial photograph of the lush green lawns outside Rod Stewart’s sprawling mansion in Essex prompted the nation’s bitter people to ask: ‘How did you manage that, mate, when there’s a hosepipe ban in force?’
“Well, let’s think. Could it be, perhaps, that Rod, here with wife Penny, probably has a borehole? It’s not a difficult concept to get your head round.
“You dig a hole maybe 100 metres down into the ground, put a pump in it and water comes out. Water that’s not subjected to any kind of government interference.
“That’s what we did at my pub, which is why the lawns there are also weirdly verdant.”
The hosepipe ban was brought in following a prolonged period of dry weather which has continued into August, with temperatures staying high consistently.
Clarkson also owns Diddly Squat Farm near Chadlington, which has become famous through Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm.
