Jeremy Clarkson's new pub, The Farmer's Dog, opens in Oxfordshire

Clarkson’s new business will sell beers and ciders produced by one of his companies

PA Media Jeremy Clarkson inside his pub, in front of a large mirror, pulling a pint — Clarkson’s new business will sell beers and ciders produced by one of his companies

Hundreds of people queued for hours to be among the first customers at Jeremy Clarkson’s new pub on its first day of opening.

The Farmer’s Dog, in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire, opened to the public at 12:00 BST.

The former Top Gear presenter revealed earlier this year that he paid “less than £1million” for the pub, formerly known as The Windmill.

Some fear the move could lead to more traffic problems, following the success of his Diddly Squat farm shop.

Some people queued outside the pub for four hours, eager to be the first through the doors.

PA Media A queue of dozens of people outside a cream-coloured pub. — Some people queued outside the pub for four hours, eager to be the first through the doors.

Clarkson explained to reporters why he wanted to open the pub.

“We wanted to have this restaurant on the farm last year and we couldn’t, and the pubs, they’re all for sale.

“So we thought that instead of building a restaurant, we would buy a pub.”

He described the preparations for the opening as “terribly stressful.”

“There are so many things you don’t think about when running a pub.

“Yesterday we had a soft opening and someone managed to break the bathroom door.

“When you go to a festival and you go into the bathroom, you ask yourself: is your bathroom at home like this? How can you break a bathroom door?”

The writer and presenter was joined by the cast of his hit Amazon TV show, Clarkson’s Farm, for the launch

PA Media's Jeremy Clarkson, pictured left outside the pub, next to a black sign — The writer and presenter was joined by the cast of his hit Amazon TV show, Clarkson’s Farm, for the launch

Leading the way were Lauren Hanly and Blake Jones from Gloucester.

Ms Hanly said they wanted to sample the food after previously visiting Clarkson’s other businesses, Diddly Squat Farm and Hawkstone Brewery, which features in her Amazon TV series Clarkson’s Farm.

“We arrived just before 8:00 a.m. We were surprised to be there in front. We thought there would be more people earlier, but the doors didn’t open until 7:30 a.m.,” she said.

“With Jeremy Clarkson’s name on the site, it’s a sure-fire success. It’s a destination venue and people will come from all over, as well as the local community.”

Clarkson, closely followed by camera crews, brought products into the pub before it opened

PA Media's Jeremy Clarkson wears a green coat and holds a tray of mushrooms. A camera crew walks behind him — Clarkson, closely followed by camera crews, brought products into the pub before it opened

Clarkson said he was happy with the location of his new business: “We looked at 40 pubs. We needed very special things like a big car park, a big car park and lots of parking, and not small roads to get to it.

“There’s no one to disturb. This is a good place.”

Discussing The Grand Tour, the series he hosted with Richard Hammond and James May which recently finished filming, he wondered if they might visit the pub.

“James probably won’t, but Richard will,” he said.

“I spoke to Richard only yesterday. We are friends and we will see them again.”

The interior of Farmer’s Dog has an agricultural theme, including a vintage tractor hanging from a beam

PA Media A silver tractor hangs from a rafter at Jeremy Clarkson's new pub, The Farmer's Dog, in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire — The interior of Farmer’s Dog has an agricultural theme, including a vintage tractor hanging from a beam

However, he appears to express some doubts about the profitability of his new business, which only serves British products.

“I’m not very good at writing business plans and I’ve never done one,” he said.

“I know one thing. If I take one of our pigs and we slaughter it, cut it up and make sausages out of it and sell it here, it costs us 74p.

“If I buy imported pork, it costs me 18 cents. So there is something wrong with the food system in this country.”

Clarkson said he plans to sell his own Hawkstone beers and ciders as well as produce grown on his neighbouring farm at the pub.

The Grand Tour tent was erected within the grounds of the pub

PA Media An aerial view of Jeremy Clarkson's pub, with the Grand Tour tent to the left, the pub to the right and a large green field with tables and a long queue of people. — The Grand Tour tent was erected within the grounds of the pub

The TV star has faced resistance from West Oxfordshire residents over the years as he tried to expand his Diddly Squat farm project.

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

But Oxfordshire County Council said it had worked “closely and proactively” with Clarkson’s team ahead of the opening.

“A number of measures have been taken to reduce the likelihood of traffic and parking issues, and to support the safe and successful opening of the site,” a council spokesperson said.

Clarkson even posted a message on social media to thank the authorities for their help.

Motorists are asked to only use designated off-road parking areas and not park on nearby roads or verges.