All Country Lane Tours are designed to be a holiday with a vintage or classic car. Daily mileages are frequently low, numerous halts are at least two nights, and for peace of mind Italy, Croatia and Scandinavia tours have a service vehicle and experienced mechanic in attendance.
After retiring from my ‘proper’ job thirteen years ago (I ran a large storage & distribution company for three decades) I took a couple of years out to play motorcars. I then decided to set up Country Lane Tours to provide good quality touring events for like-minded classic car enthusiasts, and thus enjoy a greater involvement with my long-term hobby.
Ian and Morris
Rather than spend thousands on full-page colour advertisements in glossy ‘classic’ magazines, and then load the price to customers to compensate, I have a policy of keeping overheads to a bare minimum, building up a mailing base, asking car clubs to give me a mention in their newsletters, and relying on word-of-mouth recommendations, to enable me to provide high quality events at affordable rates.
Tours to Scandinavia, Croatia, Italy, Ireland and Switzerland have all been a great success and the format of generally low daily mileage and mostly two night halts has proved a hit with people wishing to enjoy relaxing tours ‘with a difference’.
Everything, even the printing, is organised in house and I accompany every event to ensure smooth running. I have been a member of the Rover Sports Register for over forty years, and for thirty-two of those years arranged their annual Welsh weekend rally. In addition I have toured extensively in classic cars throughout Europe, possess a 1938 single seater-racing car, and also compete on historic rallies (Monte Carlo, Le Jog, Circuit of Ireland Retro, etc.).
However, as stated above, the aim of my touring events is to provide unusual, interesting, and leisurely sight-seeing holidays for people who enjoy using their pride and joy, but do not wish to stress machinery or passengers. There is absolutely no competition, apart from getting to the hotel bar first!
All routes are personally reconnoitred by me in a classic car (1963 Morris Minor or 1951 Marauder), and hotels checked to ensure a good standard – it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it! Detailed, easy-to-read, road books are provided, and I’m always on hand to deal with any minor problems, should they occur. Certain tours also have a service vehicle crewed by an experienced mechanic in attendance.
If you are a club member I would be grateful if you could arrange for information on our events to be included in your newsletter and also pass on the details to any members you think might be interested. Of course I’m happy to deal with any queries
I accompany every tour to deal with any problems that might occur. Contact us to find out more