Where Does Richard Hammond Live Now

Let’s be honest: we’ve all googled where our favorite TV celebrities live, hoping for a cheeky glimpse of their garden or to see if their bin day is the same as ours. You know the feeling—that mix of curiosity and mild nosiness that feels a bit like peeking through a fence you definitely shouldn’t peek through. Well, if you’ve ever wondered about Richard Hammond, the diminutive car fanatic with a grin like a mischievous schoolboy, you’re in for a treat. The man who once drove a car into a tree at 288 mph now calls a sprawling, very English countryside estate his home.

So, where does the hamster live now? The short answer is the Herefordshire countryside, near the Welsh border, on a property called Bollitree Castle. Yes, you read that right—a castle. But not the sort you’d find in a Disney movie with drawbridges and a dragon; it’s more of a grand, ancient farmhouse that looks like it’s been hit with a magical growth spell. It’s the kind of place that makes you say, “Oh, just a casual castle, then?” while you’re sipping tea from a chipped mug.

The Backstory: Why a Castle?

Richard and his wife, Mindy, bought the property back in 2008, and it’s been their sanctuary ever since. Imagine the conversation: “Fancy moving somewhere with a bit of history, no neighbors for miles, and a moat?” He’s essentially living the dream of every middle-aged dad who watches too many historical dramas on Sunday afternoons. The castle dates back to the 12th century, which means it’s older than your great-great-grandpa’s favourite chair—and probably has better views.

Now, you might think living in a castle is all suits of armour and fancy banquets, but from what I’ve gathered, it’s more like a massive renovation project with a leaky roof. Hammond himself has joked about the £1.2 million price tag and the fact that it’s “a money pit” with a medieval sense of plumbing. It’s the kind of house where you’d need a map to find the loo, and the heating bill probably rivals the GDP of a small nation.

Life in the Castle: The Hamster’s Daily Grind

You’ve seen him accidentally flip a rally car on TV, but at home, Richard Hammond probably burns toast like the rest of us. Picture him in the giant kitchen, trying to find a plate while Mindy is off photographing the gardens or wrangling their dogs. The castle sits on 60 acres of land, which includes an apple orchard, a lake, and endless green fields. It’s the perfect spot for a man who once said he loves “peace and quiet” and also “making very loud noises with cars.”

His neighbours are mostly sheep, cows, and the occasional confused tourist who took a wrong turn looking for a pub. You have to admire that—choosing a home where the loudest sound is the wind or the baa-ing of livestock, not the roar of a V8 engine. It’s a full-circle moment for a guy who’s spent decades ear-splittingly racing through deserts.

The Car Collection: Where Does the Fun Go?

Of course, you don’t own a castle without having some garage space. Hammond’s property includes a massive barn where he keeps his collection of cars, which is a bit like having a toy store for grown-ups. We’re talking a Porsche 911, a classic Land Rover, and the infamous “Fiat Panda 4x4” he once drove across the Amazon. The barn is probably the only part of the estate that’s actually organized, because a man who crashes for a living needs his tools in order.

But here’s the funny thing: despite living in a castle, Hammond’s life feels surprisingly normal when you dig deeper. He’s been spotted at local pubs, buying milk in town, and complaining about the same weather we all moan about. In interviews, he says the castle is “just a house,” which is a bit like saying Mount Everest is “just a hill.” But you get the point—he’s not swanning around in a robe with a crown; he’s probably fixing a leaking gutter with a roll of duct tape.

The Great Escape: Why Here and Not Hollywood?

You might wonder why he didn’t move to sunny California, where car guys like Jay Leno have massive man-caves. The answer is simple: Richard Hammond is a man of the soil. He grew up in the industrial Midlands, but his heart belongs to the rolling green hills of the Welsh borderlands. It’s a place where you can drive a sports car without seeing a single traffic light, which is basically heaven for anyone who hates city drivers. He once said, “I’m not a city person,” and when you visit Herefordshire, you see why—it’s all pub lunches, muddy boots, and stunning sunsets that make you forget about tax bills.

Living there also means he’s close to The Smallest Cog, the classic car restoration business he founded with a friend. It’s practically in his backyard, so he can walk over in his pajamas to poke at a rusty car—like a 50-year-old boy in a workshop. That kind of access is the dream for any petrolhead: your hobby is literally next door to your medieval home.

A Home That Reflects the Man

So, where does Richard Hammond live now? He lives at Bollitree Castle, a place that’s equal parts ridiculous and endearing, just like him. It’s a home that says, “I’ve survived a few crashes and a public spat with a former co-host, but I still want to live in a fairy tale.” It’s not for everyone—the drafty corridors and ancient walls would drive most of us insane—but it suits his brand of chaotic sanity perfectly. Next time you’re stuck in traffic, just picture Richard Hammond in his castle, sipping tea while looking out at his lake, probably wondering if a moat is really good for drainage. And if you ever drive through Herefordshire and see a small man in a leather jacket checking his mailbox, give him a friendly wave. He’s just a bloke who made it to his own personal castle, and we’re all just here for the ride.