Heard of the SAS (Special Air Service)? This is the British elite armed forces unit. When they need to learn how to work a Land Rover on various terrains they get the good people from the land Rover Experience center to show them the ropes. These are the same individuals who will show YOU how to work a Land Rover, Range Rover and Evoque on an off road course that is best described as a muddy roller coaster.
Since 1989 Land Rover have been running the Land Rover Experience, a chance for customers and enthusiasts to get behind the wheel of the world’s most capable off-road vehicles, renowned both for their iconic design and all terrain capabilities. The Land Rover Experience allows guests to drive all the latest models at one of 36 centres across the world including UK, China, Russia and South Africa. From taster sessions to fully immersive whole-day courses, the Land Rover Experience gives a true insight into everything Land Rover. Participants enjoy a range of dynamic, interactive and hands on driving courses tailored to all skill levels. Centres are based globally and are fully equipped with high specification Land Rover vehicles, ranging from the Freelander 2 to the famous Range Rover. Packages can be tailor made to suit guests’ needs, with different options and experiences available at each site.
We got the chance to take this adventure holiday at the Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire, England. The Land Rover Experience Eastnor is set in the incredibly beautiful setting of Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Herefordshire, a private estate spanning 5,500 acres set deep in the English countryside. The estate is home to 90 houses and 8 farms, as well as wildlife including red kites, buzzards and muntjac deer. Eastnor is seen as the ancestral home of Range Rover as it is used by Land Rover engineers for the testing and development of all new models and it is known for its extreme and challenging terrain. It is the most prestigious of all Land Rover’s facilities and even includes a hill named after ex-chief engineer Spen King.
A real off-road experience, it serves as a true test of man and machine, and Land Rover has tested cars there since 1962. All Land Rover dealership staff are also trained at Eastnor. There is 43 miles of off-road track are on offer, with a variety of different terrains and inclines. The vast space includes everything from low friction surfaces to large ruts, open ground and deep water, all ripe for exploration in the various Land Rover models available.
In the hottest summer in decades, we took the all new Range Rover Sport through the toughest terrain that Land Rover could conjure up without seriously injuring us and the vehicle. It was controlled in many areas but the track was no walk in the park. Information on all Land Rover Experience centres can be found at www.landrover.com/gb
