Jeremy Clarkson's pub 20 miles from Swindon opens to public

The pub in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire, reopened to the public at midday after being renamed The Farmer’s Dog.

Around 300 people joined a queue snaking around the car park and large beer garden to wait for the doors to be opened.

On the stroke of midday, the former Top Gear presenter appeared and announced to loud cheers from the crowd as he held up his phone to show everyone the time.

 “We’re open. We’re also not late. Welcome everybody," declared Clarkson.

The TV star was also accompanied by his girlfriend Lisa Hogan and fellow celebs from his hit show, Clarkson’s Farm, Kaleb Cooper, Charlie Ireland and Gerald Cooper.

The celebrity stars behind the pub have drawn in visitors from far and wide (Image: PA)

At the front of the queue were Lauren Hanly and Blake Jones, who had travelled from Gloucester, and had arrived shortly before 8am.

“We got here just before 8am and we were surprised to be at the front," she said.

"We thought it would be busier, earlier but then the gates weren’t opening until 7.30am.

“We have looked at the menu, but we are not sure what we will go for yet. I think it depends on how many pints I have.

“Having Jeremy Clarkson’s name on it, it is always going to do well. It is a destination site and people will come from all over, as well as the local community."

Mr Jones added: “We did think about queuing overnight. We left about 7.30am and there were no queues or traffic and we went straight in.”

Hundreds queued to get into the pub (Image: PA)

Earlier this year Clarkson revealed he had paid “less than £1 million” for the pub, then known as The Windmill.

But there are fears the venture may bring more traffic problems following the success of his Diddly Squat farm shop.

Clarkson has faced pushback over the years from locals in the West Oxfordshire area when he has tried to expand his Diddly Squat farm project.

Some residents have now expressed concerns about traffic problems because the pub is located next to the busy A40 road.

“I’m delighted he’s breathing some new life into that pub,” one resident posted on Facebook.

“I do worry about traffic though. I popped by the farm shop at the weekend. It was utter chaos."

A first look at the menu (Image: PA)

Oxfordshire County Council said it has worked “closely and pro-actively” with Mr Clarkson’s team ahead of the opening.

“Several measures have been taken to reduce the likelihood of traffic and parking-related problems, and to support the safe and successful opening of the site,” a council spokesman said.

“Footway improvements have been made to better link the existing adjacent bus stops on the B4047 with the site of the pub to provide a safe and more sustainable option for those visitors that are able to take advantage of the hourly bus service, but whom might otherwise have travelled by car.

“Whilst double yellow lines are not currently being considered at this time, measures have been taken to highlight the inappropriateness of parking on highway verges in the area, and to deter the same.”

The council said motorists were being asked to only use designated off-highway car parks and not park on the roads or verges nearby.