Taxi! Hop in for a delightful pootle around the fabulous Goodwood Revival. Not forgetting a spot of Tea & Cake.

So here we are once again for another helping of The Lady’s Great British Tea Room Tour.  For today’s blog entry I am happily back in the driving seat.  After a successful wedding run driving a happy bride and party to her wedding without a hitch.   The Lady and I have been on taxi duty, for a stint of ferrying guests and passengers around the playground of Lord March’s estate at The Goodwood Revival.

A 120 mile drive along the A303 past some of the spectacular scenery of Somerset, crossing over into Dorset.   With a half way stop off at the Amesbury services in Wiltshire.  This being my regular route for my journey to Revival, on my travels I often encounter various people who take interest in The Lady, and share their memories and curiosities with me.  One memorable run up to a Goodwood a few years ago.  Was from a couple sat outside the services, over hearing one saying to the other; Is that an Austin?! My thoughts being No! No, it is not! Although if you are a fan of Pre War Austins; why not check out the previous blog entry for my ostentatious ride and tea room adventure with the wonderful Ann and her Austin Ten, Old Bear.

Motoring on past Stonehenge.  I think I get the best view at a steady speed of 40mph, a nice slow view taking in the magnificent stones.  Trundling further along the 303, picking up the A34 and connecting to the A272 driving along some of the Hampshire countryside through Petersfield and Midhurst. Driving through some picturesque Sussex villages.  Climbing up the hill and dropping down into Goodwood.

This three-day event which has been running since 1998, is certainly unique spectacle.  Three days of racing cars, aviation, vintage fashions and old-fashioned experiences making a complete step back in time.  Where everyone makes the effort to add to the charm of the show.  A sea of dresses, flat caps, racing overalls and uniforms.  Everyone is in their vintage best, creating a time warp of an era, in this fantastic old-fashioned utopia.

 

The Lady has been participating in the Jowett Car Club Taxi fleet for the past four years.   They have been providing a selection of vehicles for the event, making up part of The Goodwood Revival Transport Corps to run as Taxies around the grounds to and from the motor circuit.   An array of Javelins, a couple of Jupiter‘s making up a few the cars as well as The Lady.  Above The Lady, Napoleon (1954 Jowett Jupiter) parked up outside of The Kennels awaiting a fare for guests to depart down to the motor circuit.  

With The Lady stickered up with her passes and myself donning my GRTC armband and fuel ration card, we are ready for a weekend of pootling around this grand estate.   

Now I could go into quite some detail about the vast array of attractions to see here, but as it is such a superb event, you could quite easily get lost in time. With the cars on display, the racing, the sounds of the spitfires overhead, the eye–catching attractions of the smartly dressed. Instead I’m going to top up your plate with a couple of the places here, where some great tea and cake can be found.   

My first pitstop is down at the Goodwood Motor Circuit opposite Gasoline Alley, a must for vintage music lovers and dancers’ a like. With live bands playing most the day.  (I myself am quite partial to a dance from time to time, swing music is just great fun and exciting. It also helps to keep the other type of muffin top from rising!)  Tearing yourself away from music and dancing attractions you will find Annie’s Cake Bar.  A retro caravan converted into a spot for a quick indulgence of lovely homemade delights.  A selection of baked brownies to tempt your fancy.  Perfect for a sweet treat to munch over and take in the atmosphere or to decide on what to see next.    A selection of Brownies and Short breads to satisfy your vintage sweet tooth!  The mighty one a lovely chocolate brownie certainly filled a corner when browsing around.  Not to mention the rather indulgent crunchy Twix topped brownie to fill the other corner on my wander around some of the show. 

My second destination for a spot of tea; Is one of the taxi drop off points for the guests of Goodwood. The Kennels, a retreat for the members of the estate and its events.  Taking a break after my shift I thought it would be grand place to try out a Cream Tea.   In this ivory tower for members, you can relax in a rather swanky luxury den, decorated with paintings, plush sofas.  With a friendly service from staff on hand to help you enjoy your time at The Kennels.  The fabulous Emilie giving a warm greeting to the place, with an added bonus of scone offerings.   

Sat at a window table with the view of some of the estate and some pretty fancy cars on the lawns. On passing through on a taxi run there is sign “Reserved for Aston Parking”.  (I’m sure The Lady would be in some good company here, although I didn’t see any reserved sign for The Lady either!) I was joined for my Cream Tea, with another Jowett Taxi driver John, we were presented with large pot of tea for two served a warm fruit scone presented on a tea plate with two small square pots, one for cream, one for jam. White cups and saucers accompanied the tea pot complete with a tea strainer too.  It certainly had my approval.  It made a relaxed rest stop admiring the surroundings and the look and feel of the den.

My step back in time ferrying the best dressed of Goodwood has been a fun outing in The Lady.  While also finding a spot of tea and cake in this vintage paradise. With not so much as a murmur of protest from her ladyship.   Even in the cold damp mornings or through the mud washed roads and pouring rain. The Lady performed faultlessly totaling a little over 400 miles over the whole weekend.

Until next time join myself and The Lady for another pit stop on The Lady’s Great British Tea Room Tour.