Best 4x4 off-roading courses in the UK

Nothing quite provides the feeling of freedom like going off the beaten track. While rugged-looking SUVs are all the rage, few cars are true 4x4s capable of taking the path less travelled. However, there are places all over the UK where you can leave the Tarmac behind and experience an off-roading adventure. Many don’t require you to have your own car, but some will let you put your 4x4 through its paces if you are brave enough to give it a go and you have the right insurance to cover you.
Here are some of our favourites 4x4 off-roading courses.

The Land Rover Experience Centre at Eastnor Castle is set within 5,000 acres in the Herefordshire countryside. This is one of several Land Rover centres around the UK offering expert off-road training. The Eastnor Estate is especially significant to Land Rover as it is where the original Range Rover was tested back in the 1960s. With 66 miles of driving trails, you can try your hand at everything from wading to steep hill climbs. You'll be amazed by how capable the cars are. Courses range from hour long taster sessions to full day excursions. Additionally, if you’ve just bought a new Land Rover you can book onto a complimentary session to learn how to get the most out of your own car.

If you think off-roading in a modern car is all a bit too easy, Goodwood offers a chance to try your hand at driving its fleet of classic Land Rovers from the 1960s. With no fancy air-suspension or hill descent controls, this is a truly paired back experience and a chance to put your driving skills to the test. While you might have to work a little bit harder than you would in a brand new Defender, it’s sure to be a rewarding experience. You can have a go as an individual or take part in groups of up to four people.

Explore 4x4 offers a range of country pursuits, one of which is off-roading. With two locations, one in East Anglia on the border between Norfolk and Suffolk and the other in Warwickshire. Whether you want a short half hour introduction to off-roading or to gain a qualification following a full day of training, there’s something for everyone. Explore 4x4 wants off-roading to be accessible to all so alongside its other activities it works closely the Royal National Institute of Blind People so those who are visually impaired can take part in experiences too.

If you have a 4x4 of your own and are after a longer off-roading experience, Ardventures provides guided tours all over the UK and beyond, from the Yorkshire Dales to Morocco. The same team also runs media events, and we experienced the team's skilled off-road tuition when we were treated to a day out with Jeep. Taking the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee off the beaten track under the careful instructions of the team, we drove up rocky tracks we didn’t think any car could possibly crawl up. It was an exhilarating experience we would highly recommend.

Gleneagles is a country estate in the heart of the Scottish county of Perthshire offering luxury accommodation, a golf course, and an array of outdoor activities. With lots of experiences including gundog training and horse riding on offer, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a fleet of old Land Rover Defenders available for off-road driving too. Younger visitors can also join in the fun by taking mini Land Rover replicas for a spin around a purpose built course, so the whole family can don their welly boots and get stuck in to a Highland adventure.

Graythwaite Adventure is situated in Cumbria on the Graythwaite Estate. Here you can take a Land Rover Defender around a private off-road course with views of Lake Windermere. To make the experience even more memorable you can incorporate a bit of bushcraft as part of the package. This gives you the opportunity to build a fire, toast marshmallows and enjoy a hot drink while you take in the beautiful surroundings. To extend this further there’s also the option to go back to basics and camp. Bell tents are provided but you will need to bring along all other essentials for an overnight stay.

Ultra Adventure Driving has various private off-road driving sites near Wrexham in Wales. It provides British Off Road Driving Association (BORDA) approved training courses suitable for those at beginner level through to more experienced drivers. Vehicles are provided for you to have a go in or there is a “pay to play” option if you’d like to bring your own vehicle along to try it out on the rough stuff.

Flat Cap Adventures provides an opportunity to explore Northern Ireland and some tours venture beyond into the Republic of Ireland too. Whether you’d like to take your own car for some individual tuition, join a guided expedition or take part in some accredited 4x4 training in one of Flat Cap Adventure’s own off-roading fleet, there’s an experience to fit your needs. Additionally, if you don’t want to get behind the wheel yourself, chauffeur driven off-road tours are available so you can still enjoy taking the scenic route.