Jeremy Clarkson Net Worth 2025: From Top Gear to Farming and Pubs
Jeremy Clarkson has built an estimated £60 million fortune, making him one of Britain’s most recognisable and bankable TV personalities. Best known for his brash wit on the BBC’s Top Gear and later Amazon’s The Grand Tour, Clarkson has turned his larger-than-life persona into a business empire spanning television, publishing, farming, and hospitality.
At the height of Top Gear’s global success, Clarkson was earning millions annually, boosted not only by his BBC salary but also by his ownership stake in the show’s commercial spin-offs.
His Amazon deal pushed those earnings even higher, while Clarkson’s Farm—filmed at his 1,000-acre Diddly Squat Farm—became an unlikely smash hit, introducing him to a new generation of fans.
Beyond the farm, his launch of Hawkstone beer and his purchase of a Cotswolds pub have cemented his reputation as both an entertainer and entrepreneur, even if his ventures occasionally spark backlash from locals.
Jeremy Clarkson’s Career
Jeremy Clarkson’s career has always been a mix of brilliance and chaos—and it’s that mix that made him rich. He started in local journalism, reviewing cars with the same sharp tongue that later defined his TV persona.
When he joined the BBC’s Top Gear in 1988, the show was small-time. Within a decade, Clarkson had turned it into a global juggernaut, syndicated in 200 countries and making him millions.
By the late 2000s, Clarkson was earning around £10 million a year—not just from his BBC salary, but from his share of Top Gear’s commercial spin-offs, DVDs, and worldwide sales. He was one of the BBC’s most valuable assets.
Then came 2015. After a fiery row over cold catering on location, Clarkson punched a producer. The scandal made headlines, the BBC cut him loose, and many thought his career was finished.
Instead, it became his most profitable turning point. Months later, Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May signed a £160 million Amazon deal for The Grand Tour. Clarkson’s personal cut was estimated at £10–15 million a year, making him one of the highest-paid streaming stars in the world.
Rather than fade, he pivoted again in 2021 with Clarkson’s Farm. What started as a personal project turned into a cultural phenomenon, driving new revenue through his Hawkstone beer, farm shop, and spin-off merchandise. In 2024, he added a pub, The Farmer’s Dog, to his growing empire—another crowd-puller, though locals have complained about the traffic, noise, and chaos it attracts.
For Clarkson, controversy has never been a career-killer—it’s been a business model. Each scandal only seemed to open the door to even bigger deals, cementing his reputation as one of Britain’s most bankable, if divisive, entertainers.
Clarkson’s Pub Backlash in Oxfordshire
Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog, has drawn huge crowds since reopening in August 2024, but it’s also sparked complaints from locals. The former Top Gear host bought The Windmill near Burford for around £1 million and turned it into a fan destination serving Hawkstone beer and traditional British food, echoing the success of his Diddly Squat Farm shop in Chadlington.
Yet residents have lodged formal complaints with Asthall Parish Council and Oxfordshire County Council, citing traffic chaos, muddy roads, loud music, and pedestrian safety risks. Councillor Ruth McCalman reported “very loud music” on Saturday nights that carried across to Worsham before being cut at 10pm, within the licence but disruptive to village life.
Parking is a particular flashpoint. Clarkson’s team has been using Barrow Field on the B4047 as an overflow car park, though locals allege no planning approval exists. Concerns include damage to a protected Saxon Barrow and a new entrance close to a road bend, described as unsafe.
Villagers also objected to a “plethora of temporary traffic signs,” which they claim spoil the conservation area and block visibility at junctions. While Oxfordshire Council has replaced some with permanent 40mph signs, many remain in place, fuelling more criticism.
Despite the backlash, Clarkson has stayed quiet. The Farmer’s Dog continues to thrive, much like his farm shop, proving popular with fans but controversial with Oxfordshire residents.
Why Is Diddly Squat Farm Shop Closing?
Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm shop in Chadlington has faced repeated clashes with Oxfordshire Council over planning permissions, traffic, and signage.
In 2022, Clarkson was hit with a notice to shut down parts of the operation after breaching local planning rules, and more recently the council raised issues about restaurant use and car park expansion.
While fans continue to flock to the shop, these disputes have sparked speculation about closures. Clarkson has admitted farming profits are slim, but thanks to the popularity of Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon, the shop remains open — though often under threat of restrictions.
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 a breakout star on Clarkson’s Farm, was also the subject of one of Clarkson’s trademark jibes.
While hosting the finals of Britain’s Fittest Farmer at The Farmer’s Dog pub, Clarkson joked that Kaleb was “probably opening a supermarket” instead of competing. He added 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 from the crowd and highlighted the banter-filled relationship that has made Clarkson and Cooper such a popular duo on screen.
What Cars Are in Jeremy Clarkson’s Car Collection?
Jeremy Clarkson has built a car collection that reflects his decades as one of the world’s most famous motoring journalists. Over the years, he has owned everything from rugged off-roaders to sleek supercars, many of which have featured on Top Gear and The Grand Tour.
Among his most notable cars are a Ferrari F355, a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, a Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser, and a Range Rover TDV8 Vogue SE — vehicles that balance luxury with Clarkson’s trademark love for power. He has also owned classic British motors like the Jaguar XJR, along with quirky models such as a Ford Escort RS Cosworth and a Lancia Delta Integrale.
It’s estimated his private garage is worth over £500,000, though Clarkson has admitted he doesn’t keep every car forever, often trading models once he’s had his fun with them. Still, the collection remains a core part of his personal wealth and identity, showcasing both his petrolhead roots and his ability to mix practicality with pure driving thrill.
What Medical Condition Does Jeremy Clarkson Have?
Jeremy Clarkson revealed in 2017 that he had been treated for pneumonia during a holiday in Spain, which left him seriously ill and temporarily out of action.
In later interviews, he has also spoken about struggling with health issues linked to smoking, weight, and age. While he continues to work on TV and farming projects, Clarkson has joked that his lifestyle is far from doctor-approved. Fans often ask this because his rugged on-screen persona contrasts with the health scares he has faced behind the scenes.
How Much Did Jeremy Clarkson Pay for His Pub?
In 2023, Clarkson purchased The Windmill pub near Burford for around £1 million, later relaunching it in 2024 as The Farmer’s Dog.
The pub quickly became a tourist magnet, serving Hawkstone beer and food sourced from British farms. However, the purchase has stirred controversy among Oxfordshire locals, who have complained to the council about parking overflow, noisy evenings, and safety concerns. Despite these disputes, the pub remains another lucrative addition to Clarkson’s growing business portfolio.
Has Jeremy Clarkson Got a PhD?
Despite his sharp opinions and encyclopedic car knowledge, Jeremy Clarkson does not hold a PhD. He studied briefly at Repton School before moving into journalism, where he began his career as a motoring reporter for the Rotherham Advertiser.
However, Clarkson was awarded an honorary degree from Oxford Brookes University in 2005 for his contribution to engineering and automotive journalism. While not a doctor in the academic sense, he’s often tongue-in-cheek about being treated as an authority on cars, farming, and even pub management.
Personal Life
Jeremy Clarkson’s private life has been as colourful as his career. He’s been married twice—first briefly to Alex Hall in 1989, then to Frances Cain, his manager and the daughter of war hero Robert Henry Cain. Their marriage lasted over 20 years, producing three children—Emily, Finlo, and Katya—before their divorce in 2014.
Emily, the eldest, is now a successful author, influencer, and podcaster with a following in the hundreds of thousands. She made Clarkson a grandfather in 2023 with the birth of her daughter, Arlo Rose.
Finlo, Clarkson’s only son, prefers a quieter life away from the spotlight, while Katya shares her passion for photography online.
Since 2017, Clarkson has been in a long-term relationship with Irish-born former actress and screenwriter Lisa Hogan. She’s become a familiar face on Clarkson’s Farm, often rolling her eyes at his more hare-brained farming ideas while running the Diddly Squat farm shop. Despite his gruff on-screen persona, Clarkson has described Hogan as his “anchor,” and the pair split their time between his Oxfordshire farm and travels abroad.
Clarkson’s personal life isn’t without its share of headlines—whether it’s public spats, controversial columns, or even neighbour complaints about noisy nights at his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog. Yet behind the bluster, family and home life remain central to the man who made his fortune turning chaos into entertainment.
Salaries and Earnings
Jeremy Clarkson’s earnings have evolved as dramatically as his career. In his early BBC days, he was already one of the corporation’s highest-paid stars, taking home around £1 million a year for presenting Top Gear.
But the real windfall came through Bedder 6, the production company he co-owned with Andy Wilman and the BBC, which profited heavily from Top Gear’s global licensing. At its peak, this setup boosted his annual income to nearly £10 million, making him the Beeb’s most lucrative talent.
After his departure from the BBC in 2015, Clarkson signed a blockbuster deal with Amazon alongside Richard Hammond and James May.
Their show, The Grand Tour, was backed by a £160 million Amazon agreement, with Clarkson personally earning an estimated £10–15 million per year from hosting and production fees.
More recently, he’s added steady income from ITV’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, reportedly around £3 million annually, and his hit series Clarkson’s Farm, which—despite his real-life admission of making just £114 in farming profits during year one—has become one of Amazon’s biggest unscripted draws.
On top of television, Clarkson still commands hefty fees from his newspaper columns, book sales, and magazine contributions. Even his after-dinner speaking slots can fetch up to £25,000 a night, while his classic car collection, worth over £500,000, adds another layer of tangible wealth.
Real Estate
In 2012, Jeremy Clarkson bought a five-bedroom Cotswolds cottage on 312 acres for around £3.5 million—only to spectacularly demolish it on The Grand Tour six years later. In its place, he began building a six-bedroom, three-story country mansion.
Then in 2019, he surprised fans by purchasing a 1,000-acre Cotswolds farm, later immortalised in his hit Amazon series Clarkson’s Farm.
What began as a hobby turned into a cultural phenomenon, with Clarkson’s trials in crop failures, livestock chaos, and endless red tape offering both comedy and a rare glimpse into modern British farming struggles.
The Road Ahead for Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson’s career has been anything but ordinary — from transforming Top Gear into a global phenomenon to reinventing himself as a farmer, author, and entrepreneur.
His estimated £60 million net worth reflects not just his television success, but also the savvy deals, book sales, live appearances, and ventures like Diddly Squat Farm and The Farmer’s Dog pub that keep him in the spotlight.
Whether he’s sparking debates with outspoken views, making audiences laugh with chaotic farming mishaps, or adding another classic motor to his car collection, Clarkson has proven he can thrive far beyond the driver’s seat. Love him or loathe him, his mix of wit, controversy, and business sense has secured his place as one of Britain’s most enduring and influential personalities.
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.
