Following a rise in drone incidents near his Diddly Squat Farm and the nearby RAF Brize Norton military base, Jeremy Clarkson has publicly cautioned drone operators about strict airspace restrictions and legal consequences, emphasising safety and security concerns.
Jeremy Clarkson, the well-known television presenter and star of "Clarkson's Farm," has recently issued a cautionary message to drone users, following a series of incidents involving drone activity near his Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire. Since the debut of the popular Amazon Prime show, Clarkson's farm has seen a significant surge in visitors, which, while beneficial for business, has also invited unwelcome attention.
In a tongue-in-cheek exchange on social media, Clarkson responded to a post featuring a white Tesla parked near his pub, The Farmer's Dog, humorously noting its peculiar presence on his traditionally gearhead property. However, the conversation took a more serious turn when he warned a user about flying a drone in a restricted airspace near RAF Brize Norton, located just a short distance from his farm. Clarkson stated, “It appears you've been flying a drone two miles from Brize Norton. They really don't like that.” This warning underscores the legal implications surrounding drone usage in proximity to military installations.
Regulations regarding drone flights in the vicinity of RAF Brize Norton are stringent due to a designated Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) that extends two and a half miles from the base. Within this zone, it is illegal to operate any drone without prior clearance from Air Traffic Control. These regulations are particularly critical to ensure the safety of military aircraft, as outlined by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Violating these rules can lead to serious legal consequences, including fines and potential imprisonment, especially if the drone poses a danger to aircraft operations.
Clarkson himself has not just issued warnings but has been a victim of prior drone-related incidents. Earlier this year, his farm was targeted by thieves who utilised drones to scout the area. Following this event, he contacted Amazon's security team to enhance patrols at his property. In a strong stance against future drone incursions, he has even indicated that he would take drastic measures against any drones observed flying over his land, threatening to shoot them down if necessary.
The situation has highlighted a growing concern regarding unregulated drone use in rural areas, especially near sensitive locations. The CAA provides guidance for drone operators, emphasising the importance of understanding airspace restrictions before any flight. This includes adhering to both permanent and temporary restrictions, which can vary widely depending on the location. The increase in drone sightings around Clarkson's farm has raised alarms not just for safety but also for privacy, reflecting a broader debate about the implications of drone technology in everyday life.
As "Clarkson's Farm" continues to capture viewers' imaginations, the surrounding issues concerning drone regulations and safety will likely remain at the forefront of discussions, particularly as Clarkson’s celebrity status attracts even more traffic to his Oxfordshire locations.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
More on this
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https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25211069.jeremy-clarkson-warns-drone-users-near-diddly-squat/?ref=rss - Please view link - unable to able to access data
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https://www.oxfordshirelive.co.uk/news/oxfordshire-news/clarksons-farm-jeremy-clarkson-issues-6107780 - Jeremy Clarkson, star of 'Clarkson's Farm', has issued a warning to drone pilots after his Diddly Squat Farm in Chipping Norton was targeted by thieves. Drones were observed flying low over the farm, capturing aerial images of nearby houses. Later that night, two men in a suspicious vehicle arrived at his driveway. Clarkson contacted Amazon's security division, leading to increased overnight patrols. He has since warned drone operators that any future flights over his property will result in the drone being shot down. The second season of 'Clarkson's Farm' is currently filming and expected to be released in 2022.
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https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-brize-norton/flying-info/ - RAF Brize Norton, located near Carterton, operates a Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) to protect its operations. Within this zone, it is illegal to fly any Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) without permission from Air Traffic Control or Station Operations. The FRZ is designed to ensure the safety of RAF aircraft by preventing unregulated UAS activity. For inquiries regarding drone flying in Oxfordshire, operators are advised to contact RAF Brize Norton Air Traffic Control at 01993 897526. The FRZ extends 2 or 2.5 nautical miles from the aerodrome, up to 2,000 feet above ground level, and includes runway protection zones extending 5 km along the runway centreline.
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https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/airspace-and-restrictions/airspace-restrictions-for-remotely-piloted-aircraft-and-drones/ - The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) outlines airspace restrictions for remotely piloted aircraft and drones. The UK’s airspace is divided into various areas and types to accommodate different flying activities. Before operating a drone, it's vital to check the airspace in your location to ensure it's legal and safe to fly there and to identify any planned restrictions. Permanent airspace restrictions include Prohibited Areas, Restricted Areas, and Danger Areas, which are marked on aviation charts and airspace apps. Temporary restrictions may be established at short notice, such as for events or emergency incidents, and can be in any area of airspace, including around airfields. Drone operators must check for both permanent and temporary restrictions before flying.
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https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/moving-on-to-more-advanced-flying/airspace/airspace-restrictions/ - The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provides guidance on airspace restrictions for drone operators. Airspace restrictions apply to all drones and model aircraft, including those up to 250g, to ensure safety. Permanent airspace restrictions include prohibited, restricted, and danger areas, often around aerodromes, spaceports, heliports, prisons, military ranges, royal palaces, and government buildings. Temporary airspace restrictions can be established at short notice, such as for events or emergency incidents, and can be in any area of airspace, including around airfields. Drone operators must check for both permanent and temporary restrictions before flying and ensure they have the necessary permissions if operating within restricted airspace.
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https://nats-uk.ead-it.com/cms-nats/opencms/en/uas-restriction-zones/ - The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) UK provides information on Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Flight Restriction Zones (FRZ) around protected aerodromes. The Air Navigation Order sets out UAS FRZs for protected aerodromes, which are UK licensed, certified, UK government, or prescribed by the Secretary of State for the purpose of being protected. The shape of FRZs is constructed using the airfield’s existing aerodrome traffic zone and, where applicable, a Runway Protection Zone. It is illegal to fly any drone at any time within these restricted zones unless you have permission from air traffic control at the airport or, if air traffic control is not operational, from the airport itself.
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https://www.twobirds.com/en/insights/2025/uk/where-cant-you-fly-a-drone - The law regarding drone operations in the UK has changed. From 13 March 2019, it became illegal to fly a drone inside an airport or airfield’s flight restriction zone without permission. If a drone endangers the safety of an aircraft, it is a criminal offence, and the operator could face up to five years in prison. The Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2018 introduced a requirement for permission to operate an unmanned aircraft within the flight restriction zone of a protected aerodrome, with effect from 30 July 2018. Flying an unmanned aircraft within the FRZ of a protected aerodrome without obtaining such permission constitutes an offence by both the operator and the remote pilot, punishable by a fine or, in cases of reckless or negligent endangerment of an aircraft, up to five years in prison.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be fresh, with no substantial evidence of prior publication. The earliest known publication date of similar content is from March 2025, which is within the past 7 days. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content does not appear to be recycled or republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quote from Jeremy Clarkson, “It appears you've been flying a drone two miles from Brize Norton. They really don't like that,” is unique to this report. No identical quotes were found in earlier material, suggesting this is potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Oxford Mail, a reputable local news outlet. However, the report is based on a press release, which may not always provide the same level of scrutiny as independent journalism. The Oxford Mail is generally considered reliable, but the reliance on a press release slightly reduces the overall reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and consistent with known information about Jeremy Clarkson and his Diddly Squat Farm. The warning about drone usage near RAF Brize Norton aligns with existing regulations. The tone and language used are consistent with Clarkson's public persona. No excessive or off-topic details are present, and the structure of the report is coherent.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with no evidence of prior publication. The direct quote from Jeremy Clarkson is unique to this report, suggesting originality. The source, the Oxford Mail, is generally reliable, though based on a press release. The claims made are plausible and consistent with known information. Overall, the narrative passes the fact-check with high confidence.
Tags:
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Jeremy Clarkson
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Drones
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RAF Brize Norton
