Richard Hammond has spoken about his new home and fresh start following his divorce from his wife of 23 years, Mindy, as he returns with a new season of Richard Hammond's Workshop.
In the first episode of series six, the former Top Gear and The Grand Tour star is seen addressing fans from his new home, which he described as the perfect place to think of a plan. New business manager Roy had told Richard he needed to come up with an idea for a big restoration project that could showcase what The Smallest Cog is capable of.
A New Chapter in the Mountains
Hammond told viewers: "New home, new start. Last time you joined me, I was going through a divorce, living in my rented cottage, making the best of it.
"That's all behind me now, and I've moved into a new home and I love it. I love where it is. I'm a creature of the hills and I live amongst the mountains, and there's no better place for having a good think."
The host separated from his wife in 2025, and the couple had lived at Bollitree Castle in Herefordshire for many years before their split.
Selling Beloved Cars to Fund Restoration
Later in the episode, Hammond concluded he needed to sell some of his favourite vintage cars to fund his big new restoration project, including his Riley Alpine Sports Tourer, which brought back lots of memories of his family.
He explained: "At least I've still got my trusty old Riley, but for one more day. Time to take it for a final drive before it makes its noble sacrifice. I'm always sad selling cars because I only have cars that I love, and this car is a little 1934 Riley Alpine Sports Tour.
"Really rare little car. I do have memories of taking my ex-wife and my two daughters out in this for a Sunday lunch. It's a car from the past, from my past, but in many ways it represents the future." His plan was to use the money from selling his cars to fund the ground-up restoration of an E-type.
Rebuilding Life After Divorce
Away from the series, Hammond has discussed rebuilding his life following his divorce, saying he is now the happiest he has been in years. He is now in a relationship with therapist Keira "Kiki" Glen, and spoke on the High Performance podcast about how his life has turned around.
He shared: "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."
He admitted he found the simpler surroundings surprisingly rewarding, adding: "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.
"I would cook a Sunday roast for like 14 of us and have to bring the outside table in and move all the furniture to get everyone in. And it was just, I loved it. Absolutely adored it. Very, very happy times."
Together, Hammond and his ex-wife have two daughters, Izzy and Willow. Richard's eldest daughter Izzy is his podcast co-star, as they both present Who Are We Now.
Richard Hammond's Workshop airs on Tuesdays from October 27 at 9pm on Quest and on discovery+.
