Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that filming for Clarkson’s Farm was briefly interrupted by a temporary no-fly zone put in place during U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the Cotswolds. The airspace restrictions were established around Dean, a small Oxfordshire hamlet, as part of heightened security measures for the Vice President's stay in August.
Writing in The Times, Clarkson described how the no-fly zone prevented the use of drones typically employed for aerial shots on his farm, Diddly Squat. He recounted a brief exchange with a security guard who informed him that drone flights were prohibited that day. When asked if the drone was his, Clarkson admitted it was, prompting the guard to tell him he couldn't fly it. In a characteristically blunt response, Clarkson reportedly said, "F*** off," to which the guard simply replied, "OK."
Clarkson also shared a map of the restricted area on Instagram, pointing out that his farm was directly affected. He captioned the image: “The JD Vance no-fly zone. We are the pin. So on the downside, no drone shots today. On the upside, no annoying light aircraft.”
Local frustrations extended beyond Clarkson. Kaleb Cooper, Clarkson’s farming partner, also expressed irritation, saying a security convoy delayed his transport of wheat, resulting in it getting wet. He humorously suggested the Vice President could have avoided attention by driving a "VW Polo."
According to The Daily Mail, Vance’s temporary residence was Dean Manor, a 17th-century estate surrounded by high stone walls and U.S. Secret Service agents. The visit has sparked local discontent and controversy, including reports—first circulated by Popbitch—that staff at a popular Cotswolds pub allegedly refused to serve Vance, leading to a cancelled dinner reservation.
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