In the first of our travel blogs, Carphile explores what highlights are on offer this summer for car enthusiasts motoring in South West England
Whether you’re a fan of classic or modern cars there’s plenty to get out and explore this summer. The South West boasts an exciting mix of beautiful beaches and countryside waiting to be explored, in addition to playing host to a range of different car clubs and one of the UK’s biggest motoring museums.
There’s more than cream tea and scones on offer if you’re motoring in South West England in Summer 2014
Classic car clubbing
While you can’t always rely on the weather, one of the great things about the British summer is the range of interesting cars that come out onto our roads. There’s fun to be had driving or even just admiring them. There will be plenty of both going on at Jaguars on the Barbican on the 10th August 2014 as the Bristol-based Jaguar Enthusiasts Club (JEC) descend upon Plymouth’s historic harbour side with a fantastic gathering of new and old Jaguars.
The JEC is a friendly club that was established in 1984 with the aim of helping Jaguar, SS and Daimler enthusiasts keep their cars on the road. With two branches in the South West – one in Cornwall and one in Devon (which also includes members from Somerset) – there are plenty of opportunities for enthusiasts to get involved locally.
Castle Hill Car Festival
If Jags aren’t your style there’s something for everybody at the Castle Hill Car Festival at Barnstaple in Deven on August 9th and 10th. The Castle Hill Car Festival promises to offer a celebration of classic and modern motoring. Featuring classic and modern car displays, on track action and air displays.
A trip down memory lane
For those days when having the roof up is the driest option, Haynes International Motor Museum in Somerset offers something for every taste in cars – with a collection of 400 vehicles spanning across 10 halls.
From the early days of motoring – represented by exhibits such as a 1900 Clement Voiturette and 1910 Renault Twin Cylinder AX – to modern classics such as the 2000 Ferrari 360 Spider, you won’t need a Delorean to take a trip through motoring history (but they’ve got one of those, too).
Sunday driving
With its 40mph speed limit and various breeds of wildlife that aren’t afraid to dawdle in the roads, Dartmoor is the ideal place for a relaxing drive on a perfect summer’s day. With plenty of places to explore and pleasant watering holes dotted all around it provides the perfect backdrop for a classic car and a fun place to take a wrong turn.
The B3212, the main road across Dartmoor, will give you a taster of what the Moors have to offer and has plenty of places to stop along the way. If you feel like a diversion, popular destinations include Widecombe in the Moor and Castle Drogo, and The Warren House Inn is an ideal halfway point to have some lunch and show off your wheels.
Next month: With Salon Prive and the Concours of Elegance opening their doors, we look at what London has to offer classic car enthusiasts.
Can’t wait that long? There are plenty of motoring events all over the UK in our motoring events calendar
