What goes up must come down and the best way to do it is in a Land Rover
Land Rover is synonymous with Burghley. The brand that specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles perfectly suited for the horse owner has been the title sponsor of this event for the past 12 years and the Land Rover Experience area, set up close to the famous Lion Bridge is one of the most popular attractions at the event.
Each year there is a queue to climb into one of the many brand new Land Rovers making their way around the purpose-built off road course that looks like a giant Meccano set so I certainly felt rather privileged as VIP Manager Ken Knight ushered me towards one of the pristine white VIP cars for the demonstration
Those of you following An Eventful Life on social media may have been following our ‘eventing Discovery tour’ where we have been experiencing a Land Rover Discovery first-hand by driving it to and at some of the biggest (and not so big) eventing competitions in the UK. So when the opportunity came to find out what a Land Rover can do with an expert behind the wheel at the Land Rover Experience at Burghley, I couldn’t resist
The Land Rover Experience may look like a big Meccano set but when you start driving up and down these simulated hills, it feels pretty extreme. Climbing the Terrapod and its big brother, which not only takes you up and down but also spins the car around, you feel as if you are taking off in a plane and you certainly need your seat belt on as the car descends (guess who found that out as she slipped down the very comfortable leather seat?).
It provides an amazing view of the famous Burghley Lake as you teeter on the edge several metres high in the air and, although I am not a fan of roller coasters as I never feel safe hurtling around in tin cans, doing it in a Land Rover at a more sedate pace is quite a different matter
It wasn’t just a good view of the Lake from the top but we also went for a little dip. For the first time this year the Land Rover Experience also included a drive through the Burghley Lake, demonstrating Land Rover’s wading capability. The Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models can cope with up to 900mm of water, giving an amazing sensation of almost swimming with the very realistic wooden duckies close to the Lion Bridge.
I couldn’t help but wonder if Michael Jung spotted the ducks when he went for a little swim last year?
Following a Land Rover Experience, those with the right key fobs to flash can access the special hospitality area for Land Rover owners. Here you can enjoy complimentary food and refreshments while watching the comings and goings on the Lion Bridge and even catch a glimpse of the riders warming up for the dressage on Thursday and Friday.
Alternatively, the younger members of the family (or those who are young at heart) can have a go at driving a different, and much smaller, type of Land Rover. The Land Rover Radio Controlled cars offer a chance to “drive” a remote controlled Defender around a miniature course and, if you crash these ones, there is no harm done
Next year at Burghley, take a little time out from spectating and shopping to visit the Land Rover Experience and view Burghley from not only a very different perspective but also a very comfortable one. Just remember to put your seat belt on!
