It’s always been a dream of mine to drive an Aston Martin, a car linked so much to James Bond that it’s probably many a man’s dream fantasy to drive one.
So I went on a Supercar Driver driving day in the middle of Wales with a Michelin dining experience and an overnight stay to boot! I started my day channelling my inner Daniel Craig then heading off to the beautiful Welsh countryside…
The location was a sublime corner of South Wales, the Brecon Beacons National Park. Rippling dramatically for 45 miles this beautiful unspoilt stretch of landscape encompasses some of the finest scenery in the United Kingdom.
I was in awe of the visual feast of high mountain plateaus of lush grass and heather which rise above forested, waterfall-splashed valleys and verdant rural landscapes!
The event itself was a Michelin Exceptional Drives which aims to encompass the best of Great Britain, showcasing the best driving roads as well as the finest (Michelin-starred of course) restaurants – wow!
I was met by the friendly Michelin experience team, a fellow group of supercar appreciators and my shiny Aston Martin Vantage 4.3 V8 convertible which was to be mine for the day.
No slouch in the visual department, it’s also a rare aural delight and had an engine that roared like a tiger and then purred like a pussy cat. I was determined – but admittedly nervously at first – to tame it car. Equipped with Michelin’s acclaimed Pilot Sport 4S tyres, although it’s easily in the fastest car I’ve driven, I’ve never felt safer, glued to the road by the (thankfully!) efficient rubber!
Driving the Aston Martin did nothing to crush my schoolboy fantasy. It was a sublime joy. It skillfully hugged the sharp corners as the senses reached skywards, delivering an exhilarating yet pleasingly controlled drive. I spent a glorious day cruising with my new supercar member mates through the beautiful countryside stopping at a few points.
At one point, we parked on top of a forested hill to commune with nature, leaving the cars to glint in the small shafts of sunshine that managed to break through the crowds. Driving the Aston Martin did nothing to crush my schoolboy fantasy; it was just pure elation!
We had around 10 planned checkpoints which included 5 or 6 stops for photo opportunities, being able to really appreciate the beauty of both the cars and scenery, was a beautiful backdrop.
We were kept together and guided by the Supercar driver team (by walkie-talkies) led by Adam Thorby the passionate founder of the company.
Over four hours later of exhilarated cursing, we ended up at The Whitebrook, one of Wales’s few Michelin-star restaurants – a highly acclaimed place headed up by Chris Harrod.
He expertly delivered an exceptional tasting menu that oozed flavour and quality, topping it off with the ability to stay at the restaurant (which also doubled as a hotel). It was known locally as a rural gastronomic haven offering local and foraged produce at the heart of chefs’ cooking.
Along with a place in the Waitrose Good Food Guide Top 50 UK Restaurants, these prestigious accolades put The Whitebrook amongst the very best restaurants in the country!
The driving, the fine dining and the luxury overnight stay gave me a much-treasured glimpse into another life. I may not be James Bond, but for a day at least, I knew a little about what it was to feel like him…
How to Experience This Yourself
From the Yorkshire Dales to Goodwood, Michelin Exceptional Drives combines some of the UK’s most beautiful driving routes with outstanding restaurants to deliver some seriously memorable days!
I would recommend checking out Supercar Driver for more information! Enjoy!
