The Cotswolds, known for its idyllic charm and honey-stone cottages, is playing host to a rather unexpected guest this summer — U.S. Vice President JD Vance. But this isn’t just a peaceful countryside retreat.
With political tensions, past insults, and security swarming the area, his visit is stirring up more than just local curiosity.
JD Vance Rents Lavish Manor Near Jeremy Clarkson’s Farm
JD Vance has reportedly rented a luxurious 18th-century manor house in a quiet Oxfordshire hamlet for a staggering £8,000 a week.
Just a mile down the road? Jeremy Clarkson’s famous Diddly Squat Farm.
Awkward, considering the pair clashed publicly earlier this year over the UK’s military credibility.
The estate is everything you’d expect from a top-tier British countryside getaway — six acres of manicured gardens, towering stone walls, and round-the-clock security.
But the location may spark some tension given Clarkson’s previous comments.
From Political Debate to Personal Insults
It all began when Vance made dismissive remarks about Britain’s military, calling it “some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years.” That didn’t sit well with Clarkson.
In a fiery newspaper column, the former Top Gear host didn’t hold back — calling Vance a “bearded God-botherer” and, bluntly, a “t**t” who “has no clue about history.”
Clarkson reminded readers of the UK’s sacrifices in conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan, where British troops served alongside Americans.
So, Vance’s arrival just around the corner could make for a rather tense neighborly situation.
The Secret Service Takes Over the Cotswolds
Since word of the Vice President’s stay leaked, the sleepy hamlet has been transformed into a high-security zone.
Locals say it’s like something out of a movie — agents in identical outfits, earpieces in, blacked-out Mercedes vans coming and going, and even a helicopter pad carved into a nearby field.
Security guards are stationed at the grand gated entrance, and Secret Service officers are positioned throughout the property.
When asked about the Vice President’s presence, they gave the usual cryptic response: “We can’t tell you anything.”
Locals React to the Unusual Activity
While the manor’s owner remained tight-lipped, locals haven’t been shy about sharing what they’ve seen.
One resident told the Daily Mail: “It’s hard to miss. There’s security everywhere — it’s surreal.”
Rumors have spread quickly that the VIP visitor is indeed JD Vance.
And while some are intrigued by the spectacle, others aren’t so thrilled about the high-profile guest.
An Unlikely Friendship With David Lammy
During his UK stay, Vance and his family — wife Usha and their children Ewan, Viviek, and Mirabel — will also spend a night at Chevening, the historic estate of UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Though Lammy has previously slammed Trump as a “neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath,” insiders now say he and Vance have bonded over shared religious values.
Lammy, raised in the Anglican Church, reportedly sees Vance, a Catholic convert, as a kindred spirit.
The two men will hold a short bilateral meeting, expected to cover Ukraine, Gaza, trade, and tech, before their families come together.
From Hampton Court to the Cotswolds
After their night at Chevening, the Vance family is expected to head to Oxfordshire, with a pit stop at Hampton Court Palace along the way.
Their UK itinerary may be packed, but the sprawling manor — and its luxurious North Downs setting — should offer some respite.
Still, not everyone is happy to see them.
Protest Plans Brewing as Activist Groups Mobilize
As with any Trump-affiliated visit, protests are already in motion.
The Stop Trump Coalition — made up of climate activists, trade unionists, and pro-Palestinian groups — is planning demonstrations throughout the VP’s visit.
Some groups are reportedly hoping to disrupt his holiday, just as they did during Vance’s previous trip to Disneyland, which he cut short due to protestors.
“Even in the Cotswolds,” they say, “he will find the resistance waiting.”
Celebrities Fleeing While Vance Moves In
Interestingly, Ellen DeGeneres — who moved to the Cotswolds with wife Portia de Rossi after Trump’s reelection — is said to be deliberately vacating her home during Vance’s stay.
Other big names like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Taylor Swift have also previously enjoyed the area’s peaceful charm.
But with the Vice President in town, the Cotswolds may not stay so quiet.
Looking Ahead: More Visits and More Tension?
Vance’s trip comes just a week after Donald Trump was spotted playing golf in Scotland and is seen as a warm-up to the President’s proposed state visit to the UK this September.
Protests are expected to grow in both London and Windsor.
So while the Vice President may have come for a tranquil summer break, his presence is proving anything but low-key.
