Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop has been named the best in the UK in a new ranking.
The former Top Gear presenter, who opened a farm shop on his farmland in Chipping Norton, has been praised by the country lifestyle experts at Welligogs.
The team analysed Tripadvisor ratings, Google Reviews scores, and the number of Instagram followers farm shops have to reveal the UK’s best.
Locations across the country were highlighted, including farm shops in Hampshire, the Vale of Glamorgan, and on the Isle of Wight.
How Diddly Squat Farm Shop ranked among the UK’s best
Coming in at number one was Clarkson’s farm shop, which is run by his girlfriend Lisa.
Despite having issues with the local council when it was built, it’s proved popular with visitors, as shown in the Amazon Prime Video TV show Clarkson’s Farm.
Welligogs ranked it in the top spot due to its Tripadvisor rating (3.7), Google Reviews rating (4.4), and its number of Instagram followers (2.8 million).
The farm shop, which now has 2.9 million followers at the time of writing, sells a variety of produce and even gifts, including crisps, alcohol, jumpers, chutneys, and more.
“Farm shops are such an important part of the British countryside experience because they give visitors the opportunity to experience a destination beyond its traditional tourist attractions,” said Tess Annan, manager at Welligogs.
She added: “Whether you’re picking up locally produced food, stopping for lunch, or simply browsing what a farm has to offer, visiting a farm shop can be a lovely way to slow down and experience the character of the surrounding countryside.
“Diddly Squat is obviously one of the country’s most recognisable farm shops, but what’s particularly interesting about this ranking is that there are so many brilliant alternatives across the UK.”
Tess continued: “It’s no surprise to see Diddly Squat at the top of the ranking.
“Its enormous social media following gives it a level of visibility that few other UK farm shops can match, with 2.8 million Instagram followers alone.
“But what’s interesting is that the ranking isn’t simply based on popularity.
“Wright’s Food, for example, has a significantly smaller social following but scores 4.5 on Tripadvisor and 4.7 on Google, showing that there are plenty of highly rated farm shops that haven’t achieved the same level of online fame.
Diddly Squat Farm Shop sells its own produce, including pasta sauce and chutneys (Image: Tripadvisor)
“If you’re looking for a quieter countryside experience, it can be worth seeking out some of these less famous names.
“You might discover somewhere that becomes a favourite destination of your own.”
What do customers say about Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop?
On Tripadvisor, customers have shared their experiences at the farm shop, with one writing: “Family visit from the Highlands of Scotland
“I recommend being there at least an hour before opening to avoid a 3/4 hour wait time, the queue builds fast but what do you expect?
“The shop itself has a great selection of goods with friendly and attentive staff.
“Prices are on par with the rest of the Cotswolds – again, what do you expect?
“The parking area is very well managed by welcoming staff.
“Food/bar service is fast and efficient.
“Our breakfast rolls were of good quality, washed down with a nice cold pint.
“Overall a great experience, exactly as expected!
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“Anyone who moans just hasn’t arrived on time and has ended up sorely disappointed.”
Another commented: “Didn’t find one grumpy worker, went on a hot day and they gave us umbrellas while we stood in line to visit the shop.
“All staff was pleasant and made the experience more enjoyable, advice would be to get there before opening, after lunch or before closing.”
This person said: “A lovely place but very small.
“Enjoyed lots of jars, eggs, butter and the sausages were very nice”.
Recommended reading:
Top 10 best farm shops in the UK
Here is the full list of the best farm shops in the UK, according to Welligogs, followed by their Tripadvisor rating, Google Reviews ranking, and Instagram followers:
Diddly Squat Farm Shop, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire – 3.7, 4.4, 2.9 million
Wright’s Food, Carmarthenshire – 4.5, 4.7, 13.5k
Broughgammon Farm, Ballycastle, County Antrim – 4.4, 4.7, 9,982
Hockey’s Farm Shop, Fordingbridge, Hampshire – 4.2, 4.6, 5,415
The Garlic Farm, Isle of Wight – 4.3, 4.5, 26.5k
La Hogue Farm Shop and Café, Chippenham, Cambridgeshire – 4.3, 4.5, 2,731
Fordhall Organic Farm Shop, Market Drayton, Shropshire – 4.2, 4.5, 1,193
Hartley Farm Shop and Kitchen, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire – 3.9, 4.6, 15.4k
Redcliffe Farm Shop, Scarborough, North Yorkshire – 4.1, 4.5, 665
Forage Farm Shop, Vale of Glamorgan – 4.3, 4.4, 29k
Have you been to Diddly Squat Farm Shop? Tell us in the comments below.