For years, Chipping Norton in West Oxfordshire was just another pretty dot on the English map. Then Jeremy Clarkson bought 1,000 acres of fields back in 2008 and, only recently, took charge of running the property himself—capturing all the ups and the downs on camera. His series, Clarkson’s Farm, burst onto Prime Video in 2021. Suddenly, Diddly Squat wasn’t just a funny name, but a hot ticket—and "government budget" drama loomed larger than the sheep. But what happens when the fields fill up with fans and the traffic never stops?
Discover our latest podcast
Amanda Holden’s take: From local fields to TV fame
Amanda Holden knows the area—and she's felt the effects of the farm’s newfound fame. On Heart Radio’s Breakfast Show, she didn’t mince her words:
"We don't love the queues in the Cotswolds, but we love it [the show]."
Amanda admitted, with a laugh, that she hasn’t braved the crowds for a return visit:
"I could probably just walk across the field to be honest, unless he might think I'm trespassing. 'Get off my land!' No, I should go and have a look because everything has change, they've got a whole new situation going on there."
Even celebrities are dodging the lines—or at least waiting until the buzz settles down.
Clarkson’s Farm effect: Crowds, cameras and big changes
Locals didn’t expect Diddly Squat to become a tourist magnet almost overnight. Since the first series, visitors have flocked to the area hoping to catch a glimpse of the celebrities—or maybe sneak a selfie with a tractor. Prime Video sums up the new season’s mood with a dose of drama:
"Clarkson's Farm is back, and amid a government budget that sends the UK farming community into uproar, Jeremy decides some big changes are needed to make the farm run more smoothly. But while the farm tries to go high-tech, resulting in Kaleb's first ever trip abroad, bigger developments are heading for Diddly Squat that will prove an even greater challenge."
Technological upgrades, policy frustrations and the irrepressible Kaleb Cooper all promise plenty of surprises for fans—especially now that Lisa Hogan, Kaleb’s long-time partner, is back on the team. Season five is set to air later this year, and anticipation is running high. If you thought Diddly Squat was only about sheep and mud, think again: the show has thrust rural life onto screens and into social media feeds across the country.
Love on the land: Lisa Hogan brings romance to farming TV
Lisa Hogan isn’t just wrangling sheep this year. She’s stepping into a spotlight of her own as the host of ITV’s new dating show, Farming for Love. Speaking candidly to This Morning, Lisa explained the appeal of love in the countryside:
"Farming is a way of life that requires resilience, patience, and the same can be said for relationships. What I love about Farming for Love is how real it is, there is no hiding on a farm, and that's what makes it such an honest way for people to get to know each other. It has had success around the world, and I am really looking forward to leading this flock in their search for romance."
It’s no small feat juggling reality TV and real-life romance, but Lisa seems more than ready for the challenge.
Will the Cotswolds ever be the same?
The Cotswolds, once silent beyond the occasional rustle of a hedgerow, now pulse with fans and camera crews tramping through the grass. The transformation of Diddly Squat farm has left its mark—not just in farm shop queues but in how rural life is seen (and sold) on TV. As the new season looms, Amanda Holden’s tongue-in-cheek hesitation says it all: is it really possible to keep your countryside to yourself when your neighbour is one of Britain’s biggest characters? With "a whole new situation going on", the fields around Chipping Norton just might keep surprising us—and the world will be watching to see what grows next.
Read more:
Amanda Holden and all the men in her life, from Les Dennis to Chris Hughes and Neil Morrissey
“Never felt better”: Charles Spencer marks double milestone with Cat Jarman
Kate Garraway grows close to friend two years after husband's tragic death
Sources used:
Amanda Holden talks 'issue' at Jeremy Clarkson's farm as she admits 'I haven't been back' - The Mirror
