Jeremy Clarkson has described how he maintains green grass at his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer's Dog, despite the implementation of a hosepipe ban due to the ongoing drought. Aerial views of the pub on Monday showed lush green patches, contrasting with the parched state of neighboring fields.
Clarkson, known for his Amazon Prime series "Clarkson's Farm," shared that he employs a borehole to access groundwater. He also speculated that singer Sir Rod Stewart might be using a similar method to keep his extensive gardens in Essex healthy during the dry spell. Stewart's property has also reportedly maintained vibrant greenery despite water restrictions.
Writing in The Sun, Clarkson explained the borehole process: "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." He confirmed this method is in use at The Farmer's Dog, accounting for its verdant lawns.
The pub, purchased for approximately £1 million, featured surprisingly lush grass in recent photographs, with a yellow hose visible near a grey structure, consistent with a borehole system. Boreholes are narrow shafts drilled deep into the earth to access natural groundwater, often from underground rock layers known as aquifers. According to comparison site AquaSwitch, these systems can cost tens of thousands of pounds to install and can yield substantial amounts of water daily, sufficient for homes, farms, and small commercial properties.
In a 2020 Times column, Clarkson detailed his experience installing a borehole on his farm, drilling down 300 feet. He noted that groundwater stores are significantly larger than surface water sources. However, after two months, his borehole became jammed and produced water with high levels of manganese, sodium, and sulphates, which he described as a "curious and possibly lethal cocktail." He abandoned this particular borehole system, citing the water's passage through "dirty" rock, and opted to utilize natural springs on his farm instead.
It remains unclear whether Clarkson is currently using a borehole for irrigation at his farm or how much water he draws from such a source. The Farmer's Dog pub operates from Tuesday to Saturday and has experienced high booking demand since its opening. Previously, it was reported that food for the pub was prepared off-site in a commercial kitchen approximately ten miles away.