Jeremy Clarkson 'plagued by dead rats' in new move away from Diddly Squat Farm
The former Top Gear presenter bought a pub in the Cotswolds but shaking the area's rough and ready reputation isn't the only challenge he faces.
Jeremy Clarkson has hit yet another snag with his latest venture as he revealed that his newly acquired pub is plagued with dead rats and has borderline unlawful facilities.
The motoring maverick and television personality, who recently bought a tavern in the Cotswolds near an infamous former dogging hotspot, is now grappling with the establishment's sordid past and its dilapidated state. The Clarkson's Farm star, aged 64, snapped up The Windmill near Burford, Oxfordshire, for a sum "less than £1 million" after the roaring success of his Diddly Squat Farm showcased on Amazon Prime.
Intent on transforming The Windmill into a buzzing hub, complete with his own brand of beer and a wedding venue, Jeremy faces a mammoth task ahead. In his Sunday Times column, he disclosed the need for a total revamp, admitting he steered clear of purchasing a beloved local pub to avoid becoming a target for arson by the villagers.
Despite warnings from nearly all his acquaintances against diving into the pub business, Jeremy's passion for the idea was undeterred. He scoured through "14,000" pubs before settling on The Windmill, only to find a plethora of issues awaiting him.
"There is some work to be done on the pub itself," he penned, listing a litany of problems including a cramped cellar, a crumbling gable end, hazardous outdoor decking, contaminated water, a loft overrun with rodent carcasses, and lavatories that flout legal standards.
Referring to his vision for the pub once renovations are finished, he revealed his desire for it to be "a place where I can go on a Sunday with my granddaughter for some gammon, egg and chips. Well-priced, British-grown food with a pint of Hawkstone beer. And a warm fuzzy feeling inside."
The Windmill, renowned for its fantastic reviews and reasonable price point, was previously hailed as a "magical Oxfordshire wedding and event venue in the heart of the Cotswolds". On June 4th, it announced new ownership.
The show one of the most viewed series on the platform follows the ex-Top Gear host and his sidekick Kaleb Cooper as they try to manage Diddly Squat Farm in the upscale area of Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds.
However, Jeremy and his team, who have faced backlash from the local council and residents due to fans flocking to the area to visit his farm shop, have faced another setback.
Via Instagram, he shared an aerial image of Diddly Squat Farm's predicament due to heavy rainfall ruining potential dominant crops this year.
He informed followers: "It's going to be a rough year. All that seed sowed, drowned with the constant rain."
