For £14,950 per person, petrolheads can get behind the wheel of a Bentley to take part in a five-day road trip around the UK, taking in the car manufacturer’s home in Cheshire and the Macallan Estate in Speyside. Jenny Southan reports
Now in its third year, Bentley’s “Extraordinary Journeys UK” have seen guests from across the world come together to experience a grand tour of Britain.
This years’ carefully curated driving route covers some of the UK’s most beautiful roads, hidden culinary hotspots, luxury eco-accommodation and a visit to single-malt whisky distillery the Macallan, a Bentley partner.
Spanning five days and four nights, the five-day, four-night road trips will run across two different dates in 2024 (August 19-23 and September 2-6). Places are limited to just five couples within each group.
The once-in-a-lifetime road trips begin at Bentley Motors in Crewe, and continue through the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales and the Cairngorms.
Caren Jochner, Global Head of Brand Experience at Bentley, says: “Bentley’s prestige and quality credentials as a maker of luxury cars are undisputed and we are always looking at ways to widen Bentley’s appeal beyond automotive, giving new audiences relevant opportunities to experience the Bentley brand and explore new places. The Extraordinary Journeys series is a demonstration of this – bringing our passion for discovery into a series of adventures for both new and existing Bentley customers.”
Sustainable, seasonal and locally sourced produce will be served to guests during meal-time pitstops, which will even include a dinner within the Bentley factory itself. The Bentley event team will offer a full concierge service to guests along the way.
Tickets are priced at £14,950 per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement options also available. Use of a Bentley is included for the trip, as well as accommodation, food, drinks and activities.
Bentley Extraordinary Journey 2024
Day One
Arriving in Cheshire, guests from around the world will be greeted by the Bentley team at the brand’s flagship CW1 House showroom in Crewe. A private lunch will be served before guests are transferred to the heart of Bentley: the factory. Following a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes and meet our colleagues along the production line, an intimate, private dinner will take place in the factory, each ingredient sourced within a 26-mile radius.
Day Two
Guests will drive in convoy, in Bentley’s latest models – the Continental GT, the Flying Spur and the Bentayga – towards the Peak District National Park. Passing idyllic chocolate-box villages and world-famous market towns, guests will then venture north into the “Dark Peak” region. The final destination for the day is set within the Yorkshire Dales where Georgian country house hotel Grantley Hall will play home for the evening, offering lovingly home-grown and locally-sourced seasonal produce for dinner.
Day Three
Day three starts with an option to balance the mind, body and soul by starting the day with a choice of wellness activities in the natural setting of Grantley Hall. After breakfast, the convoy continues into the North Pennines and the Northumberland National Park, offering some of the world’s most spectacular roads.
The spectacular journey continues through rolling hills, passing spellbinding abbeys, awe-inspiring stately homes and castles before arriving at the Treehouses at Lanrick. A hidden gem, offering true escapism within a secluded woodland setting, bordering the Trossachs National Park, this truly green accommodation does not compromise on luxury. As night falls the group will gather to meet their chef for the evening, the renowned, Nick Nairn. An al fresco dinner with local, seasonal produce under the stars.
Day Four
Heading northeast toward Great Britain’s largest National Park, the Cairngorms, guests will stop for refreshments at the peerless Fife Arms in Braemar, a 200-year-old Scottish lodge. A pioneer in recycling and upcycling, the hotel is home to a collection of over 16,000 antiques and curios, and artworks – from Picasso, Freud, Bruegel, to watercolours by HM Queen Victoria and HRH Prince Charles.
The journey will then continue on to the Macallan Estate, set in 485 acres of Speyside countryside and home to the brand’s award-winning distillery, designed by internationally acclaimed architects to promote sustainability.
The unforgettable immersive experience will feature a meal in the breathtaking surroundings, tutored tasting, and private Distillery experience. The final destination in our journey celebrates the partnership between Bentley and the Macallan, sharing an insight into the process, production, people and passion that make their single malt whisky so special. A farewell for guests will culminate in a private, specially curated dining experience at the Elchies Brasserie, followed by a night cap where this memorable evening comes to a close.
Day Five
After a final breakfast, chauffeurs will transfer guests to Aberdeen or Inverness International Airport to travel onwards home. Alternatively, the Caledonian Sleeper from Inverness can be arranged, offering the iconic railway journey to London.