When the Cars in the Claydons event was announced early in 2016, Oxford Motor Club approached the Organiser, James Beckett Motorsport, and asked if a Touring Assembly finishing in the middle of the day at Claydon Estate and joining in with the celebration of all aspects of motorsport would be a worthwhile addition to the day. This suggestion was welcomed so planning was soon underway.
The 2016 “Cars to the Claydons”, as the Tour was quickly named, started from the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens near Burford and took in 70 miles in the Cotswolds and Buckinghamshire before arriving at the Cars in the Claydons event.
For 2017, we will have the same finish venue but the start will be at Chinnor Railway station where participants will enjoy a breakfast roll and a ride on a Diesel Rail Car along the preserved Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway prior to getting in their cars to start the run. The first section is 35 mile run along the Chiltern Edge (taking in Kop Hill) and out onto the flatter land to the south of Aylesbury. New for 2017 is a half-way refreshment stop – at the Worlds End Garden Centre – where toilets will be available and there is a restaurant and Costa Coffee outlet for those who would like to partake. The second half of the run returns to the Chiltern edge and the famous Aston Hill prior to turning west to the finish at Claydon Estate.
The route mainly uses B roads and wider minor roads which makes a particularly relaxing experience, a lack of many steep climbs rendering it most suitable for vehicles of all ages.
Cars to the Claydons is aimed at the owners / drivers of classic cars over 20 years old (in keeping with the ethos of Cars in the Claydons), but more modern vehicles will be considered.
Click here for a short introduction video to the Cars to the Claydon Scenic Tour.