Jeremy Clarkson Net Worth 2025: From Top Gear to Farming and Pubs
Jeremy Clarkson is worth an estimated £60 million in 2025, but his fortune wasn’t built quietly or conventionally.
The man once sacked by the BBC for punching a producer has somehow turned every scandal, every row, and every outrageous headline into fuel for an empire.
From Top Gear’s global heyday, where he pocketed millions thanks to a shrewd ownership stake, to his Amazon windfall for The Grand Tour, Clarkson has always been more than just a loud voice behind a steering wheel.
Now, through his Diddly Squat Farm, Hawkstone beer brand, and newly reopened Oxfordshire pub, he’s managed the rare trick of reinventing himself in middle age — not as a fading TV star, but as a cultural juggernaut whose chaos pays dividends.
Jeremy Clarkson’s Career
Jeremy Clarkson’s career has always thrived on a strange formula: part brilliance, part disaster, and a lot of noise in between. He first cut his teeth in local journalism, filing sharp-tongued motoring reviews that already carried the bite which would one day make him famous.
By 1988, he was fronting the BBC’s Top Gear. Back then it was a sleepy motoring show, watched by a niche audience. Under Clarkson’s stewardship, it exploded into a worldwide phenomenon, syndicated in more than 200 countries and pulling in millions.
The cars were flashy, the stunts reckless, but the real spectacle was Clarkson himself — and that charisma translated into paydays worth £10 million a year at the height of Top Gear’s global run. Much of that came not just from his BBC salary but from his cut of Bedder 6, the production company he co-owned that profited handsomely from DVDs, spin-offs, and international sales.
Then came 2015 and the infamous “steak-gate” scandal. After an argument over cold catering on set, Clarkson swung at a producer. The BBC promptly axed him, and the tabloids declared his career finished. For most people, it might have been. For Clarkson, it was merely the starting gun on his most lucrative chapter yet.
Within months, Amazon snapped him up — along with Richard Hammond and James May — for The Grand Tour. The deal was worth a staggering £160 million, with Clarkson pocketing an estimated £10–15 million per year. It catapulted him into the ranks of the world’s highest-paid streaming stars.
And just when it seemed like the reinvention couldn’t go further, Clarkson tried something few could have predicted: farming. In 2021, Amazon debuted Clarkson’s Farm, chronicling his misadventures on his 1,000-acre Cotswolds property.
Viewers tuned in expecting a gimmick; instead, they got a heartfelt, hilarious portrait of Britain’s most unlikely farmer. The series not only revived his public image but turned the Diddly Squat Farm shop, Hawkstone beer, and spin-off merchandise into genuine moneymakers. By 2024, he was opening a pub — The Farmer’s Dog — and pulling in tourists by the busload, much to the irritation of his Oxfordshire neighbors.
In true Clarkson fashion, controversy didn’t derail him; it financed him. Every setback, every row, every headline only seemed to inflate his brand. And that, more than any single show, explains why he remains one of Britain’s most bankable — and divisive — entertainers.
Clarkson’s Pub Backlash in Oxfordshire
Jeremy Clarkson’s Oxfordshire pub, The Farmer’s Dog, has been pulling in crowds since it reopened in August 2024 — but not everyone is raising a pint in celebration. The former Top Gear host snapped up The Windmill near Burford for around £1 million and rebranded it into a tourist destination serving Hawkstone beer and hearty British classics, following the same formula that made his Diddly Squat Farm shop a hit.
Locals, however, say the success has come at their expense. Residents have filed complaints with Asthall Parish Council and Oxfordshire County Council, pointing to clogged roads, muddy verges, loud weekend music, and safety risks for pedestrians. Councillor Ruth McCalman reported “very loud music” carrying across to Worsham on Saturday nights, cut off at 10pm as required but still intrusive for those living nearby.
Parking has become the biggest flashpoint. Clarkson’s team has been directing visitors to Barrow Field on the B4047, but locals claim no planning approval exists for its use as an overflow car park. Critics argue the site could damage a protected Saxon Barrow and that its newly created entrance, located near a bend, poses serious road safety issues.
Even the signage has caused friction. Villagers objected to what they called a “plethora of temporary traffic signs,” arguing they spoil the conservation area and create poor visibility at junctions. While Oxfordshire Council replaced some with permanent 40mph signs, many remain, keeping tensions high.
Clarkson has so far stayed quiet on the controversy. Yet, much like his farm shop in Chadlington, The Farmer’s Dog continues to thrive in spite of local resistance. For fans, it’s a must-visit extension of the Clarkson brand; for neighbours, it’s another unwelcome reminder that his business ventures attract as much chaos as they do cash.
Why Is Diddly Squat Farm Shop Closing?
eremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop in Chadlington has been a magnet for fans since it opened, but it has also been in a constant tug-of-war with Oxfordshire Council. In 2022, he was ordered to scale back parts of the operation after breaching planning rules, and more recent disputes have focused on car park expansion and restaurant use.
For a time, rumours swirled that the shop might be shut down altogether. Villagers complained about traffic jams and signage cluttering country lanes, while council officials pushed for tighter restrictions. Yet visitors have kept coming — queuing outside for Hawkstone beer, farm-branded goods, and a glimpse of the site made famous on Clarkson’s Farm.
Clarkson has often joked that traditional farming is a financial disaster. In fact, he revealed that after his first year running the 1,000-acre Cotswolds farm, he earned just £114 — about $140 — in profit. The Amazon series flipped that reality on its head, turning Diddly Squat into a profitable tourist hub. The shop remains open today, though always under the looming threat of fresh council action.
Jeremy Clarkson, alongside farmer Kaleb Cooper, takes on life at Diddly Squat Farm — the unlikely hit Amazon series that turned the Top Gear host into Britain’s most famous amateur farmer.
Kaleb Cooper and Clarkson’s Dig
Kaleb Cooper, the young Chipping Norton farmer who became the breakout star of Clarkson’s Farm, has grown almost as famous as Clarkson himself. His no-nonsense farming expertise and deadpan reactions to Clarkson’s chaotic attempts at agriculture have turned him into a fan favourite — and a central reason the show works.
In 2024, their on-screen banter spilled into real life when Clarkson hosted the finals of Britain’s Fittest Farmer at his new pub, The Farmer’s Dog. With the crowd watching, Clarkson couldn’t resist a jab at his farming partner. He joked that Kaleb was “probably opening a supermarket” instead of competing, before adding with a grin: “If it’s Britain’s Fattest Farmer, he’s in with a shout, but not in this one.”
The remark drew laughs, highlighting the sharp but affectionate dynamic that defines their partnership. While Clarkson plays the blundering amateur, Kaleb is the voice of reason — often rolling his eyes, but just as often stealing the show. Together, they’ve become an unlikely double act, one that has helped Clarkson’s Farm grow into one of Amazon’s most-watched unscripted hits.
What Cars Are in Jeremy Clarkson’s Car Collection?
Jeremy Clarkson’s car collection reflects his decades as one of the world’s most outspoken motoring journalists. Over the years he has owned everything from rugged off-roaders to sleek Italian supercars, many of which have featured on Top Gear or The Grand Tour.
Among his standouts are a Ferrari F355, a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, a Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser, and a Range Rover TDV8 Vogue SE — cars that balance both power and luxury. He has also owned a Jaguar XJR, a Ford Escort RS Cosworth, and a Lancia Delta Integrale, proving that Clarkson’s tastes range from British classics to quirky performance icons.
It’s estimated his private garage is worth over £500,000, though Clarkson has admitted he doesn’t hang on to every car forever. He often trades models once he’s had his fun, a habit that keeps the collection evolving. Still, his cars remain a central part of his identity — a mix of practicality, indulgence, and raw driving thrill that mirrors the larger-than-life persona he built his fortune on.
What Medical Condition Does Jeremy Clarkson Have?
Jeremy Clarkson has never been shy about his health scares. In 2017, he was struck down by pneumonia while on holiday in Spain, an illness serious enough to leave him hospitalised and temporarily out of action. The experience rattled even him, and he later admitted it was the first time he truly confronted his own mortality.
Since then, Clarkson has spoken openly — and often with typical dark humour — about the toll of years of smoking, weight struggles, and age catching up with him. He continues to work across TV, farming, and hospitality, but he frequently jokes that his lifestyle is “not exactly doctor-approved.” For fans, it’s another reminder that behind the bluster of his on-screen persona, Clarkson has faced some very real health battles.
How Much Did Jeremy Clarkson Pay for His Pub?
In 2023, Jeremy Clarkson purchased The Windmill pub near Burford for around £1 million, later reopening it in 2024 under the new name The Farmer’s Dog. The relaunch turned the once-quiet country pub into a tourist hotspot, serving Hawkstone beer and traditional British dishes sourced from local farms.
The move added another income stream to Clarkson’s growing business empire, but it also brought controversy. Locals have complained about noisy evenings, parking overflow, and safety concerns around traffic management. Despite the friction, the pub has quickly become a destination in its own right — proof that Clarkson can turn even a sleepy Oxfordshire inn into a lucrative, headline-grabbing venture.
Has Jeremy Clarkson Got a PhD?
Despite his sharp opinions and encyclopedic car knowledge, Jeremy Clarkson does not hold a PhD. He briefly attended Repton School before moving into journalism, where he began his career writing motoring reviews for the Rotherham Advertiser.
That said, Clarkson has been recognised for his contributions to the field. In 2005, Oxford Brookes University awarded him an honorary degree for his influence on engineering and automotive journalism. While he’s no academic doctor, Clarkson often jokes that he’s treated as an authority on everything from cars to farming — and now even pub management.
Personal Life
Jeremy Clarkson’s private life has been almost as colourful as his television career. He has been married twice — first, briefly, to Alex Hall in 1989, and then to Frances Cain, his former manager and the daughter of Victoria Cross recipient Robert Henry Cain. That second marriage lasted over two decades and produced three children — Emily, Finlo, and Katya — before ending in divorce in 2014.
Emily, the eldest, has built a name for herself as an author, influencer, and podcaster with a large online following. In 2023 she made Clarkson a grandfather with the birth of her daughter, Arlo Rose. His son Finlo has chosen a quieter life away from the spotlight, while Katya has carved out her own creative path in photography.
Since 2017, Clarkson has been in a long-term relationship with Irish-born former actress and screenwriter Lisa Hogan. She has become a familiar face to fans of Clarkson’s Farm, often stepping in to manage the Diddly Squat shop and offering eye-rolling commentary on her partner’s wilder farming schemes. Clarkson himself has described her as his “anchor,” balancing out the chaos that surrounds his professional life.
Even so, Clarkson’s personal world is rarely far from headlines — whether it’s outspoken newspaper columns, rows with neighbours over noise at The Farmer’s Dog pub, or public spats that spill onto social media. Behind the controversies, though, family and home life remain central. For all the bluster, Clarkson’s identity as a father, partner, and now grandfather shapes the man who built an empire from motoring, mischief, and controversy.
Salaries and Earnings
Jeremy Clarkson’s earnings have evolved as dramatically as his career. In his early BBC years, he was already among the corporation’s highest-paid stars, reportedly taking home around £1 million a year for presenting Top Gear.
The real windfall came through Bedder 6, the production company he co-owned with producer Andy Wilman and the BBC. That structure gave Clarkson a slice of Top Gear’s global licensing, DVDs, and merchandise. At its peak, the deal boosted his income to nearly £10 million annually, making him one of the BBC’s most valuable assets.
After his 2015 sacking, many assumed his finances would nosedive — but Amazon had other plans. Clarkson, along with Richard Hammond and James May, signed a £160 million deal for The Grand Tour. Clarkson’s personal cut was estimated at £10–15 million per year, cementing him as one of the highest-paid presenters in streaming.
More recently, he’s added steady income from ITV’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, with reports putting his salary at around £3 million annually. Meanwhile, Clarkson’s Farm has become one of Amazon Prime’s biggest unscripted hits — even if Clarkson admitted he earned just £114 (about $140) in actual farming profit during his first year.
Beyond television, Clarkson continues to cash in from his Sunday Times and Sun columns, book sales, and speaking engagements, where he can command up to £25,000 a night. Add in his classic car collection, worth more than £500,000, and it’s clear that Clarkson’s income streams are as diverse as his controversies.
Jeremy Clarkson’s Real Estate
Jeremy Clarkson has invested heavily in Oxfordshire countryside living, with property playing a big role in both his lifestyle and his on-screen image. In 2012, he bought a five-bedroom Cotswolds cottage on 312 acres for around £3.5 million. Fans of The Grand Tour will remember what came next — Clarkson spectacularly blew the house up on camera in 2018 as part of the show’s antics.
In its place, he began building a six-bedroom, three-story country mansion, a project that has become almost as infamous as his farming ventures. Then, in 2019, Clarkson expanded his holdings again by purchasing a 1,000-acre farm nearby — the land that would later inspire Clarkson’s Farm. What began as a hobby quickly transformed into a cultural phenomenon, turning his estate into both a working farm and a tourist destination.
Together with his more recent £1 million pub purchase near Burford, Clarkson’s real estate portfolio has become as much about business as personal comfort. His Oxfordshire properties now double as filming locations, income generators, and fan destinations, showing how Clarkson has turned bricks and land into part of the brand.
Will Clarkson, Hammond, and May Reunite?
Even after the end of The Grand Tour, speculation about a reunion between Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May refuses to die down. The trio, who transformed Top Gear into a global TV juggernaut before taking their antics to Amazon Prime, wrapped up their final adventure in 2024 with One for the Road. For many fans, it felt like the end of an era.
But in a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Hammond hinted that the door might not be completely closed. When asked if the three were finished for good, he replied, “Yeah… well, yes. We agreed. We were well aware we were getting a bit older. But who knows? It’s an ever-changing world. We’ll see. There’s nothing planned.”
Hammond also stressed that their friendship is intact, despite tabloid rumours to the contrary: “People want to know that we all hate each other, but it’s not true. We couldn’t have spent so much time together if we did — there would have been a murder.”
These days, each of the presenters has carved out his own path. Clarkson is focused on his farm and pub empire, Hammond runs his classic car restoration business The Smallest Cog, and May has long co-owned The Royal Oak pub in Wiltshire. A full reunion may not be on the cards just yet, but the affection between them — and the appetite from millions of fans — means the possibility is never entirely off the table.
Jeremy Clarkson’s Famous Friends
Over the years, Jeremy Clarkson has built a contact book as enviable as his car collection. His career on Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and now Clarkson’s Farm has put him in the orbit of countless celebrities, politicians, and even royalty.
Clarkson is especially close to his long-time co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May, with whom he shares decades of on-screen camaraderie and off-screen friendship. Away from motoring, he has socialised with high-profile figures ranging from Prime Minister David Cameron — a fellow Oxfordshire resident — to Prince Harry, who once appeared in a charity polo match alongside Clarkson’s team.
He’s also well connected in the media world. Clarkson has counted Piers Morgan as both a bitter rival and, later, a reconciled acquaintance after their infamous punch-up at the 2004 British Press Awards. His writing career has brought him into the same circles as Fleet Street editors and Sunday columnists, while his farming life has introduced him to food and drink entrepreneurs like Rick Stein and fellow brewer James May (through Hawkstone beer).
Even among neighbours in the Cotswolds, Clarkson is surrounded by stars. Celebrities including David Beckham, Kate Moss, and Simon Cowell have long been associated with the area, and Clarkson is often spotted at local events where A-list and countryside collide.
For Clarkson, friends often double as foils — people to spar with, joke about, or invite into his latest venture. Whether bantering with Hammond and May or locking horns with Morgan, his high-profile friendships have become part of the larger Clarkson brand: colourful, controversial, and always entertaining.
The Road Ahead for Jeremy Clarkson
eremy Clarkson’s career has been anything but predictable. He turned Top Gear into one of the BBC’s biggest global exports, reinvented himself with The Grand Tour, and then surprised everyone by becoming Britain’s most unlikely farmer. Along the way, he’s added author, brewer, and pub landlord to his CV.
His estimated £60 million net worth in 2025 reflects more than just his television success. It’s the product of shrewd business moves — from ownership stakes in production companies to building fan destinations like Diddly Squat Farm and The Farmer’s Dog pub. Each reinvention has kept him in the spotlight and, crucially, kept the money flowing.
Looking ahead, Clarkson shows no signs of slowing down. Whether sparking debates with his outspoken columns, drawing laughs from his farming blunders, or adding another classic motor to his garage, he continues to thrive on controversy as much as creativity. Love him or loathe him, Clarkson has proven that chaos can be a business model — and one that pays handsomely.
Jeremy Clarkson FAQ’s
What is Jeremy Clarkson’s most expensive car?
Clarkson has owned an enviable garage of luxury vehicles, but one of the priciest was his Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, valued at over £150,000. He’s also been linked to rare Ferraris and Aston Martins that could fetch several hundred thousand pounds at auction.
Where does Jeremy Clarkson live now?
Clarkson lives primarily in the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, on his 1,000-acre Diddly Squat Farm. He’s also been spotted at his newly redeveloped mansion on the same estate, which replaced a cottage he famously blew up for The Grand Tour.
How much does Jeremy Clarkson make per year?
Estimates suggest Clarkson earns around £10–12 million annually, combining his Amazon Prime deal (Clarkson’s Farm and The Grand Tour), his Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? hosting role, book sales, and newspaper columns.
What businesses does Jeremy Clarkson own?
Beyond television, Clarkson co-owns the Diddly Squat Farm Shop, runs the Hawkstone beer and cider brand, and now owns The Farmer’s Dog pub in the Cotswolds. He also makes significant income through writing and media production.