Review: An Evening at the Hawkstone Arms 

If you’re after good vibes, great drinks, and even better burgers, the Hawkstone Arms Pub is the place to be. We spent the evening soaking up the sunshine, pint in hand, with live music playing in the background and our dog happily snoozing under the table. Honestly, what more could you want from a summer’s evening?

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If you’re visiting the Cotswolds, a visit to the Hawkstone Arms is a must – just a 5-minute drive from Bourton-on-the-Water. Set in the heart of the Hawkstone Arms Brewery, this spot is everything you’d expect from Jeremy Clarkson’s beer empire – tongue-in-cheek humour, no-nonsense drinks, and a cracking atmosphere. The pub’s marketing has the perfect mix of sass and self-awareness; it’s basically a pub with personality.


Let’s Get A Drink

Drinks-wise, it’s a celebration of Hawkstone Beer in all its glory. Mike started with the legendary Hawkstone Lager – crisp, smooth, and very easy to become too fond of. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, give the Hawkstone Black a go – it’s got a richer, more malty depth that still goes down a treat.

And if beer’s not your thing (no judgement), the Hawkstone Cider is sharp, refreshing and properly sessionable. My personal favourite perfect blend is the Hawkstone Hedgerow – a dark fruit cider packed with blackberries and blackcurrants.

They’ve got a solid selection on tap and by the bottle, so whether you’re drinking in or planning to stock up, you’re well catered for. You can even take a case (or several) home with you from the shop. There’s also a selection of products available in the Diddly Squat Farm Shop, including Cow Juice, marmalade, and chutney. 

Don’t want to carry it home? Pop online and fill your basket for free delivery straight to your door – there’s even next day delivery when you spend above £40. You can even become a Hawkstonian, which delivers drinks straight to your door every month. Head to the Hawkstone Arms Jeremy Clarkson site to browse the shop, with shipping, delivery, and bottle bundles all available.

Brewery Tours

If you’re interested in getting behind the scenes, the brewery tours are a must. You’ll get an insider look at how the magic happens – from the carefully sourced ingredients to the expert brewing process that creates each bottle of Hawkstone. It’s a brilliant way to spend the day if you’re in the area, especially for fans of Jeremy Clarkson’s ventures. 


What’s On The Menu

Let’s talk Hawkstone Arms food. We grabbed dinner from Mooba, one of the rotating street food vendors they have on site. I went with the Fat Mooba – a glorious tower of a burger featuring two juicy smash beef patties in a buttery brioche bun, layered with streaky bacon, double American cheese, caramelised onions, gherkins, and a top-secret burger sauce that I’m still dreaming about. On the side? Buffalo Fries, drenched in New York-style buffalo sauce, topped with blue cheese drizzle and crispy onions. Filthy in the best way.

Get 50% off Food in The Cotswolds

If you love food and drink, do you have a Tastecard? It’s a membership card that offers 25% off the food bill or 2-for-1 meals for the price of one at over six thousand participating restaurants across the UK. It’s a great way to save money and enjoy a variety of dining experiences. Get a 60-day free trial here:


Live Music

On Fridays and Saturdaysthe space really comes alive. We were lucky enough to catch a singer, Emma De La Querra, with an absolutely stunning voice that floated effortlessly across the beer garden. Think chilled acoustic vibes with a mix of classics and modern favourites. It’s relaxed, feel-good entertainment that adds to the warm, welcoming buzz of the place.


Why You Should Go

The staff are friendly, the setting is chilled, and dogs are welcome. Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, there’s something uniquely special about sipping a pint where it was brewed, adding an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to your visit. In short:

  • Vibe: laid-back, dog-friendly, and gloriously sunny
  • Sound: live music on select days
  • Food: banging street food pop-ups
  • Drinks: top-tier Hawkstone brews at a reasonable price
  • Extras: brewery tours, bottles to go, and Clarkson-approved sass

Where to Find the Hawkstone Arms

Hawkstone Brewery, Collage Farm, Stow Road Bourton on the Water Gloucestershire GL54 2HN

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Hawkstone Arms Opening Times

  • Monday – Thursday 11am – 6pm
  • Friday & Saturday 11am – 9pm
  • Sunday 12pm – 7pm

Follow Them on Social Media

Want to drool over your phone screen? Follow them for menu updates, offers, and behind-the-scenes bites on InstagramTikTok.


Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Clarkson is the largest shareholder of Hawkstone Brewery (formerly Cotswold Brewing Company), having acquired a stake in 2021. The brewery produces Hawkstone Lager, Hawkstone Black, cider, gin, and vodka alongside partners.

  • * Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds, made famous by Clarkson’s Farm.
  • * Hawkstone Brewery produces beer and cider.
  • * The Farmer’s Dog pub (formerly The Windmill) in Oxfordshire.
  • * Also co-founded media ventures, including DriveTribe and previously Bedder 6.

Yes - in 2024, he opened The Farmer’s Dog pub in Oxfordshire (formerly The Windmill), where Hawkstone lager and cider are served.

In the year to March 2025, Hawkstone’s sales surged from £7.8 million in 2024 to £21.3 million, making it one of the fastest‑growing private companies in the UK.

Yes, Hawkstone Lager is sold at the Diddly Squat Farm shop, and a case of 12 bottles (330ml each, 4.8% ABV) is available for around £35, with larger cases also available. It’s also available online and through Amazon.

Yes – he launched Hawkstone Lager in 2021, a premium British lager brewed using barley grown on his farm. It later expanded to include Hawkstone Black, cider, and other variants.

Critics describe it as richer and maltier than typical budget lagers, such as Carlsberg or Kronenbourg, with fruitiness and fragrance closer to a lighter IPA – but still thirst-quenching. A stylish “premium British lager” with more depth than mass‑market equivalents.


Things to do in The Cotswolds

There’s plenty to explore near the Hawkstone Arms to make a full day of it. Close to Bourton-on-the-Water, one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds, you’ll find charming independent shops, riverside walks, and attractions like the Model Village, Birdland, and the Cotswold Motoring Museum.

Where To Stay in The Cotswolds

If you know when you’d like to travel, try to book as soon as possible. Prices rise the closer you get to the travel date and are usually displayed per room rather than per person. However, there is a vast array to accommodate all budgets.


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