In the last two years, Richard Hammond has lost his dad, as well as the majority of his Grand Tour earnings, and his marriage has ended – but he’s found happiness in a place he says he’ll be staying for the rest of his life.
In March, the former Top Gear and Grand Tour star moved into a Georgian manor house in Llanwenarth, Wales, on the outskirts of Abergavenny, which is worth £2m – and bolstered by a view of the Brecon Beacons – after splitting from his wife of 23 years.
It was love at first sight for Hammond, who said in a new interview: “One of the first times I went to see it, I just thought, ‘Yeah, that’s me, that’ll do. I won’t move again.’”
When questioned by The Telegraph on whether he could consider moving to another property, he replied: “No, that’s me done. I love it. The Brecon Beacons National Park is the other side of my right-hand fence. I can walk up the Sugar Loaf [mountain] in an hour and 20 minutes, or I could be getting measured for a new suit or buying a coffee in 20 minutes.”
Hammond bought the six-bedroom property after moving out of the home he shared with ex-wife, Amanda “Mindy” Hammond, at Bollitree Castle, near Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire. His new home boasts an orangery, tennis court and a wine cellar.
The presenter said that moving to Wales has injected him with a renewed perspective on his personal and professional life – and how he plans to spend his time before turning 60 in four years.
“Work is fun again, however life is the priority,” he said. “I’m 56, I’ve suddenly realised my 60s are coming at me. And I don’t want to be caught up with work.
“I’d rather be fit and healthy, balanced and happy than unbelievably wealthy. I’ve done better than I ever thought I’d do. The bigger value now is time, and what you do with it.”
Hammond, who is now in a relationship with therapist Keira “Kiki” Glen, opened up about the upheaval of his life in a podcast last week, telling High Performance: “In the last two years I lost my father, my dog, my marriage, my house, most of the chunk of the money I earned from The Grand Tour. And I don't give a s***. The happiest I’ve been in years was living in a rented cottage, my divorce cottage.”
The presenter, who became a household name alongside Jeremy Clarkson, 66, and James May, 63, on the BBC motoring programme Top Gear, said he had turned to a friend for somewhere to live following the breakdown of his marriage.
Hammond added: “I loved it. I rang a mate of mine who runs a big estate. Sometimes a chap needs to no longer live where he lives quite suddenly. He owns this huge estate and he said, ‘I’ve got just the place for you’.”
He continued: “He rented me this beautiful tiny little farmhouse called Camp Farm, which caused some considerable amusement amongst my friends, obviously.” However, Richard said he found the simpler surroundings unexpectedly rewarding.
“I lived there for like a year. I loved it. No furniture really to speak of, bits and pieces. Bit draughty in winter. But when friends came over, they came over to see me. Not the house, not the collection of cars – because that’d all gone.”
Despite Hammond’s split from Mindy, with whom he has two children, the former couple have maintained a relationship as parents, appearing together at their daughter Willow’s graduation from Hartpury University in Gloucestershire.
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