Jeremy Clarkson has sidestepped the hosepipe ban at his Oxfordshire pub, The Farmer's Dog, by drilling a private borehole, ensuring his garden remains lush while much of the surrounding countryside turns brown. The move, which is entirely legal because the water does not come from the public treated mains network, has allowed the TV presenter to maintain his pub's green lawn despite drought conditions affecting around 70% of England.
Legal loophole keeps pub garden green
Aerial photographs have shown the grass outside The Farmer's Dog, near Burford, Oxfordshire, looking suspiciously verdant compared to the parched fields nearby. The summer has been brutal for Britain's green spaces, with five heatwaves and months of little rainfall pushing much of the country into drought. Thames Water, which serves the area, is among the water companies that have imposed hosepipe bans, restricting residents and businesses from using hosepipes for watering gardens or washing vehicles.
However, Clarkson has found a way around the restrictions by drilling a borehole, which taps into natural groundwater. Once drilled, cased, and equipped with an electric pump, homeowners can connect their garden hose to the system without breaching any drought rules. Clarkson hinted that another famous figure, singer Sir Rod Stewart, may have employed the same method at his Essex mansion.
Clarkson's column reveals borehole strategy
Writing in his newspaper column, Clarkson said: "An aerial photograph of the lush green lawns outside Sir 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?'" He continued: "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. That's what we did at my pub, which is why the lawns are also weirdly verdant."
A remarkable 10 water companies have introduced hosepipe bans across England and Wales this summer, including Wessex Water, which has done so for the first time in 50 years. A borehole is one of several options for homeowners and businesses looking to work around a hosepipe ban, though it is not an affordable solution for everyone, with installation costs potentially running into tens of thousands of pounds.
Pub's success continues amid drought
Clarkson purchased The Farmer's Dog, previously known as The Windmill, in 2024, for under £1 million. The establishment, which sits adjacent to the Asthall barrow roundabout on the A40, reopened in August of that year after extensive renovation, drawing hundreds of eager visitors queuing outside. It continues to attract considerable custom, boasting a Tripadvisor rating of 4.3 out of five from nearly 1,500 reviews. The venue exclusively sources British produce and welcomes guests from Tuesdays through to Saturdays each week.
