Hannah Bourne-Taylor, a conservationist and author who appeared in the latest series of Clarkson's Farm, lives a quiet countryside life in North Oxfordshire with her husband, Olympic rower Robin Bourne-Taylor. The 39-year-old environmental campaigner was invited to Jeremy Clarkson's Chipping Norton estate to share her knowledge on local wildlife conservation initiatives, where viewers appreciated her tranquil presence as she guided Jeremy on the importance of protecting farmland birds and biodiversity.
Early Life and Career
Before her television appearance, Hannah had already established herself in conservation circles through her writing and advocacy for nature. During childhood, she moved frequently due to her parents' professions as a nurse and ecologist, previously telling The Observer that she stayed in 19 different houses while growing up. Since reaching adulthood, her relationship with the countryside has shaped her life, forming a central theme in her bestselling memoir Fledgling, celebrated for its examination of grief and belonging, as well as the healing qualities of the natural environment.
Advocacy and Campaigns
Beyond her work as an author, Hannah is a dedicated campaigner who has led prominent environmental initiatives, including advocating for compulsory 'swift bricks' in new UK housing developments to help combat the declining numbers of endangered urban bird species. Swift bricks are specialised hollow bricks added directly into brickwork to provide nesting sites for swifts. She discussed this on Clarkson's Farm, demonstrating how straightforward architectural modifications to farm buildings and new construction can protect endangered species.
During campaigning, she once led a protest march through central London, covered in full-body paint, before delivering her speech to Rishi Sunak, who was the Prime Minister at the time.
Personal Life
Hannah is married to Robin Bourne-Taylor, a former British international rower who competed for Great Britain at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. He also rowed for Oxford University in the prestigious Boat Race and eventually served as President of the Oxford University Boat Club. After his sporting career, Robin served as an officer in the British Army before transitioning into the corporate sector.
The couple previously spent several years living in Ghana due to Robin's military service and professional commitments. It was there that Hannah first started rehabilitating rescued wild birds, including an orphaned finch that famously nested in her hair. They returned to the UK in 2021 and have remained here ever since.
