— Great Escapes for Discerning drivers —

The Grand Sporting Tour

October 11, 2026

Created in partnership between Classic Travelling and William Powell Sporting, this unique experience brings together three exceptional sporting days on prestigious estates, luxurious country house hotels, and some of the finest scenic driving routes in the UK, all within one carefully curated exclusive journey.

Across Northumberland, Yorkshire and the Cotswolds, guests will enjoy outstanding sporting estates, elegant accommodation and exceptional hospitality throughout — combining the traditions of British shooting with the pleasure of grand touring.

William Powell Sporting are the UK’s leading luxury Sporting Agency, who provide exclusive access to the country’s finest and most prolific sporting estates as well. The team have extensive industry knowledge ensuring guests experience memorable and meticulously organised sporting days.

Tour Highlights

Three outstanding sporting days on some of Britain’s finest sporting estates
Six nights in elegant country house hotels across Northumberland, Yorkshire and the Cotswolds
Beautifully curated driving routes through dramatic and picturesque landscapes
Exceptional hospitality in the field and memorable lunches
Fine dining each evening, accompanied by carefully selected wines
A unique combination of sporting tradition and grand touring
Strictly limited to 9 places

Tour Map

Itinerary

Day 1: Sunday 11th October - Arrival

Arrive at the magnificent Matfen Hall in the Northumberland
countryside. Arrive by car or via private transfer from Edinburgh
or your preferred airport before gathering for a fabulous
welcome dinner to begin the tour

Day 2: Monday 12th October - Sporting Day

Our first sporting day takes place on a superb Northumberland
estate, offering exceptional pheasant & partridge shooting and exceptional field hospitality. In the evening we return to Matfen
Hall for dinner.

Day 2: Tuesday 13th October - Scenic Drive

Our first grand touring day takes a beautifully scenic route across the Pennines and into the Yorkshire Dales. After a light
lunch stop along the way, we arrive at our hotel with time to relax before our private dinner.

Day 4: Wednesday 14th October - Sporting Day

After breakfast we have a short drive to today’s shoot for a superb day in the field. Once again, brilliant pheasant & partridge drives will be on offer along with more wonderful hospitality in the Yorkshire countryside .

Day 5: Thursday 15th October - Scenic Drive

A combination of scenic & fast roads south takes us from
Yorkshire towards the Cotswolds. En route an optional stop for lunch at the superb Chatsworth House before continuing to
Ellenborough Park for a two-night stay.

Day 6: Friday 16th October - Sporting Day

Our final sporting day takes place at a renowned shoot in the Cotswolds with more fabulous pheasant & partridge drives on
offer. This evening, we celebrate the tour with a farewell
dinner and awards ceremony at Ellenborough Park
overlooking Cheltenham Racecourse.

Day 7: Saturday 17th October - Departure

After breakfast, guests depart at their leisure or private
transfers can be arranged.

Where we'll stay

Matfen Hall ***** Northumberland

Rudding Park **** Yorkshire

Ellenborough Park ***** Cotswolds

What's included

- Six nights Country House Hotel accommodation:
  – Two nights at Matfen Hall, Northumberland
  – Two nights at Rudding Park, Yorkshire
  – Two nights at Ellenborough Park, Cotswolds
- Three exceptional driven shoot days on prestigious sporting estates
  – Full day in Northumberland
  – Full day in Yorkshire
  – Full day in the Cotswolds
- All sporting days are based on 250 total bag
- Unlimited cartridges across the three Sporting days
- Multi-course dinners on all six evenings
- Table wines, bottled water, tea/coffee with each dinner
- Breakfast every morning
- Digital driving directions for each scenic drive
- Accompanied by expericed Tour Director & Sporting Agent

Requirements

This tour is open to cars of any age and best suited to 4×4 vehicles. However, the most important requirement is that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery, deserving of the vehicles we love, relish character hotels and enjoy the company of like-minded travellers.

Each person must have a passport (and any necessary visas for non-EU passport holders) valid for France.
All passports must be valid for six months after the end of the tour. You will also need your vehicle registration documents, driving licence (a photo-card licence or international permit is best), and an international insurance green card.
Please check with your travel and motor insurers that you are covered for travel in the required countries.
You are also required to carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, two fluorescent jackets, set of replacement bulbs and a national identification sticker.

Gallery

Spaces available

Price from POA

Founded 2003

Since 2003 Classic Travelling has specialised in driving tours and motoring holidays for classic, vintage, and sports cars of all ages in the UK, Europe, USA and South Africa.