Driving lesson at Goodwood motor circuit. Copyright Gretta Schifano
During the half-term break I was invited to stay at the Goodwood Hotel in Sussex in the South of England with my family.
Goodwood
Goodwood is an historic country house and estate which has been owned by the Dukes of Richmond since the seventeenth century. Besides Goodwood House the Estate includes the Goodwood horse racing track, an award-winning organic farm and the famous Goodwood motor circuit which opened in 1948 and hosts the annual Festival of Speed.
Under 17s driving academy
While we were at Goodwood my 16 year-old daughter was invited for a driving lesson at the motor circuit. She was thrilled because she can’t wait to be 17 so that she can learn to drive. My husband sat in the back of the car during the lesson and my son and I watched from the cafe next to the track. This is my daughter’s account of the experience:
My friends are all turning seventeen, learning to drive and passing their tests and I’m cursing mum for my summer birthday. So when we were invited to stay at Goodwood and I was given the opportunity to drive on their motor circuit I of course had to immediately say yes.
Having already done a Young Driver lesson at Bluewater, I had a vague idea of what was going to happen.
The car
The main difference between the Young Driver lesson and the Goodwood Under-17s Academy was that the car I had previously driven was a manual, whereas the Mini I drove at Goodwood was an automatic. I was surprised at how much I could remember, although I am sure that if I had been driving a manual again I would have been hopeless with the clutch! I was very excited to be driving a Mini as it is my (and almost everyone’s) dream car.
The start of the driving lesson at Goodwood. Copyright Gretta Schifano
The lesson
The lesson lasted an hour, which is more than enough time to be able to learn loads. My instructor Kevin Crowley was incredibly helpful and has been a driving instructor for many years.
Kevin Crowley, Goodwood driving instructor. Copyright Gretta Schifano
We started off talking about the checks you do before driving, which I could remember from my first lesson. We then drove around the track which helped me get used to the Mini’s steering, but was more difficult than usual as it was raining a lot.
Once I had got the hang of the steering, Kevin took me to the slalom. I was nervous at first as I had no idea how I would be. On my first try I missed a cone, but by my third I was driving quickly and had gained confidence.
After the slalom, we carried on going around the track. I learnt lots of new skills such as U-turns, reversing and how to accurately break. At the end of the lesson I was exhausted because I had been concentrating so much and had learnt a lot in such a short space of time. Thank you to Goodwood and Kevin for my lesson.’
Goodwood Motor Circuit Guide
The verdict
My daughter enjoyed the lesson. As a parent I was happy that she was gaining valuable driving experience and that she was safe – Kevin told me that he and the other driving instructors at Goodwood are all government approved driving instructors and have been fully CRB checked.
[yo-widget href=”http://yonderbound.com/activities/united%20kingdom/england/driving-lesson-at-goodwood-motor-circuit/act3577″]
The lowdown
The Under 17s driving academy launched this month as part of Goodwood’s Ultimate Driving Programme. There are also driving experiences on offer for adults including Winter Driving Techniques, Mastering Powerslides and Off-Road Adventure. The Under 17s Mini Cooper driving lessons at the circuit cost £99 per hour.
More on learning to drive
Do read my other posts about kids learning to drive:
Young Driver: driving lessons for kids
How to help your child learn to drive
Disclosure: We were guests of the Goodwood Hotel and the Under 17s driving academy for the purposes of this review.
Attending driving school will not only put you on the right track, it will also save a considerable amount of money on your car insurance.
I think my son utterly love this. Looked like a fun day.
Julie Martin recently posted…Brewers Fayre do lunchtime carvery now?
I love the idea of being able to test out driving before i turned 17! Looks like a fab time had by all. Unfortunately I still can’t drive! lol x
Lori recently posted…A GOOD BOOK // ATLAS OF ADVENTURE
I so wish I’d learnt to drive at this age! I’m 29 and still haven’t learnt! x
Fritha recently posted…new hair!
this sounds like such a great idea. I am glad your daughter loves the experience.
Nikki Fraser recently posted…BakerDays Letterbox Mother’s Day Cake
What a great idea – lovely to get some basics and confidence before going on actual roads.
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Thursday Travel Treat: The Isle of Wight
Lovely experience for your daughter. I wish i went to the school young now at an older age is much harder.
Otilia recently posted…YouTube Favourites
What a brilliant experience! I love your daghter’s write-up…will definitely think of this when mine are a little older!
Globalmouse recently posted…A trip to the end of the World – Sagres, Portugal
Callan did this last year and adored it – such a good basis for early driving skills
Kara recently posted…Tips for Quitting Smoking
What a great way to get a taste of driving before you are old enough to learn properly – am sure it will stand her in good stead when she finally reaches seventeen too! (my daughter is a summer birthday too, and was gutted everyone else learnt before her – and then its worse the following year when you cant go to half the 18th birthday parties cos you are underage!)
Sonya Cisco recently posted…Oh You Pretty Things – Small Things
This looks brilliant for teenagers. My son tried young driving lessons and although he was interested now he’s 17 he has shown no interest in learning to drive at the moment.
The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover recently posted…A Better Quality Of Life In 3 Easy Steps
This is such a great idea and a great head start when it comes to having proper lessons.
Mummy of Two recently posted…Time for a new bathroom?
Well done and what an achievemnet to have done this before you are 17.
Remembering how harrowing it was to take my children out at that age when they were learning to drive, I think this a wonderful idea.
Jenny/Mum recently posted…Goodwood Under 17s driving academy
Now that sounds like a lot of fun. Bit pricey, but would make a good treat for birthday or passing exams or similar. I’d love to drive one of the new minis too – I used to own two of the old ones.
Erica Price recently posted…Wallpops
What a fabulous experience for your daughter. If i’d realised goodwood did this it’s what i’d have given my godchildren.. but I am a bit less generous when it comes to my own kids! So glad your daughter enjoyed it. She writes a beautiful review, good for her. Nicola
Nicola Baird recently posted…Do you love your child or partner more?
I quite like the idea that they are able to try driving away from the busy roads etc.
Boo Roo and Tigger Too recently posted…Restoring my calm at The Waterways #BetterPlaces
What a fab experience. Our kids are s lucky that they get these experiences! I think that this would be a super birthday gift for an older child,
Jen aka Muminthemadhouse recently posted…Tips for getting through the monotony of parenting