The celebrated author and poet D.H. Lawrence famously observed that “The great home of the soul is the open road.” Now we wouldn’t argue with that sentiment at all. But equally, it makes the journey all the sweeter to have somewhere pleasant to stay at either end to refresh the body.
These values sit at the core of every road trip we organise at H.R. Owen, and the Aston Martin Cheltenham and Reading Customer Drive Event, held on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th May, was, of course, no exception.
A select group of guests joined us to exercise their driving skills and their Aston Martin models, while enjoying some great company, fabulous roads, and exquisite dining.
Our team was on hand to welcome early arrivals to the Bath Spa Hotel, and chauffeur those who wished into the famed Roman city, before returning for dinner in the rarefied atmosphere of the Kennet Room.
After breakfast, the open road beckoned, taking the Aston Martin drivers southwest. The route provided stunning views over the Blackdown Hills into East Devon for a lunch stop at the Pig at Combe nestled in the beautiful Otter Valley.
Coffee finished, and the finely crafted engines were fired up once more. The road was re-joined for a late afternoon arrival at the classic, tranquil settings of the Dart Marina Hotel. After relaxing, the rejuvenated travellers enjoyed dinner in the River Restaurant.
Following a leisurely breakfast on Saturday morning, some chose to take a comfortable drive back home. And for those who felt the call of the open road tug at their souls once more, the wild, lonely terrain of Dartmoor provided the perfect venue to put Aston Martin’s legendary performance and handling attributes to the test.
