UK Land Rover Events www.uklandroverevents.com

My other half had always wanted to drive a Land Rover defender off-road. I took her to Whitby for her 30th last year (long story) and thought it would be great to surprise her with a Land Rover off-road driving experience.

Unfortunately, Google wasn't much help as the search results listings for 4X4 driving experiences are dominated by experience voucher companies who are basically just middlemen and sell you an experience at an inflated price, but won't say exactly where or when you can redeem your voucher, especially at short notice.

However, came across a direct off-road experience provider - uklandroverevents.co.uk - on the third or fourth page of results a couple of nights before the holiday. Called Colin on the number provided and he was more than happy to help, event though it was getting on for 10pm.

Fast forward a few days and my other half was driving up impossible slopes, through muddy floodwater etc in a stunning spot on the cliffs overlooking Robin Hood's Bay. Colin was a great tutor - very patient and laid back, even let us bring a moulting German Shepherd along for the ride! And it was his own personal Defender. Proper Land Rover enthusiast too and much cheaper than the middlemen websites.

Highly reccomended.