Nearly 500 miles of Roman road, five stopovers, and Cornwall at the end of it. Here’s everything you need to know
We’re hosting something rather special this October, and we wanted to tell you about it properly.
The Loxley Collection 500 is a brand new classic vehicle tour, run in association with Classic Car Magazine, travelling from Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Yorkshire coast all the way down to Mullion on the Lizard Peninsula. Nearly 500 miles. Five overnight stops. Some of the oldest roads in Britain. And the Polurrian as the grand finale.
If you have a classic car, know someone who does, or simply love the idea of being part of something genuinely memorable, read on.
The Idea Behind It
The route follows significant sections of famous Roman roads, including Ermine Street and almost the entire length of the Fosse Way, one of the great engineering achievements of Roman Britain, running roughly 220 miles from the historic heart of Lincoln through to the West Country. It’s a journey through the backbone of England, through landscapes and towns that have been connected by these same routes for nearly two thousand years, ending at the very tip of the country on the Lizard Peninsula.
As concepts go, it’s a good one.
The Route, Day By Day
Friday 2nd October, Robin Hood’s Bay
Entrants gather at Hotel Victoria in Robin Hood’s Bay, with parking reserved on site. Check in from 3pm, a three course dinner in the evening, and live music in the Loxley Pub or Osborne’s Restaurant and Lounge. It’s a good place to start. The views from the Victoria over the North Yorkshire coast are the kind that set the tone for what’s to come.
Saturday 3rd October, Lincoln
Vehicles leave Robin Hood’s Bay by 11am, heading south across the North Yorkshire Moors to Pickering, through to Malton and across the Humber Bridge, following the route of Ermine Street all the way to Lincoln. The Roman road runs directly to the front door of the White Hart Hotel in the Bailgate, through the iconic Newport Roman Archway, which is the kind of arrival that very few drives can offer.
At 4pm there’s a photo opportunity in Lincoln’s Castle Hill Square, between the Cathedral and the Castle, with professional photographs expected to appear in Classic Car Magazine. The evening brings a three course dinner in the White Hart’s King Richard Room and live music from the Bad Habit Band in the Royal Courtyard.
Sunday 4th October, Moreton-in-Marsh
The convoy heads west to the A46 at Newark and then south along the Fosse Way, through Leicester, Coventry and Warwick, arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds. Around 111 miles of predominantly Roman road, ending in a Cotswolds market town with plenty of time to explore before a three course dinner at The Redesdale Arms.
Monday 5th October, Martock, Somerset
South again along the Fosse Way, passing through major Roman settlements including Cirencester and Bath, before arriving at The Hollies Hotel at Martock near Ilchester. Around 120 miles, avoiding the motorway throughout, with a three course dinner in the evening.
Tuesday 6th October, Mullion and the Polurrian
The final leg. Vehicles leave Martock at 10am for the drive south to Cornwall, around 155 miles, arriving at the Polurrian from approximately 4pm. This is the grand finale, and we’re making the most of it.
Guests are welcome to stay for one, two or three nights through to Friday morning 9th October. The second night is available at 10% off the bed and breakfast rate, and the third at 20% off, which makes extending the stay in Cornwall a straightforward decision.
Wednesday 7th October
Subject to Local Highway Authority approval, there’ll be a classic vehicle procession of around 20 miles taking in some of the Lizard’s finest spots: Mullion Cove, Cadgwith Cove, Lizard Village and Lizard Point, and Poldhu Cove. If the open road doesn’t appeal, the time is yours to explore Cornwall at your own pace.
Thursday 8th October
Complimentary live music in the Vista Lounge at the Polurrian. After nearly 500 miles, that feels like the right way to mark the occasion.
The Vehicles
The tour is open to classic vehicles aged 50 years and over, so pre-1976, with special consideration given to sports cars and other interesting vehicles aged 25 years and over. The organisers expect the majority of participating cars to be from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, though older vehicles are warmly welcomed. If your car doesn’t quite meet the age criteria but you think it fits the spirit of the event, register your interest anyway. All enquiries are considered at the discretion of the organisers.
There’s no entry fee. Participants are encouraged to raise money for their chosen charity, and the organisers can help with publicity where needed. Car trailers and additional vehicles are welcome, subject to parking demand, if booked at least four weeks in advance.
Why We’re Excited About This
The Polurrian being the finishing point of a tour like this feels right. The Lizard is the most southerly point of mainland Britain, which means arriving here really does feel like the end of something, in the best possible sense. Driving the length of the country on ancient roads, through Lincoln and the Cotswolds and Somerset, and ending up on a clifftop above a Cornish cove in October, with the Atlantic below and a bar inside, is the kind of experience that tends to stay with people.
We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone who makes it.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Whether you’re a classic car owner wanting to enter, someone who’d like to join as a passenger, or simply a person who wants to be part of the atmosphere at the Polurrian end of things, registration of interest is open now.
Click here for full details and the registration form.
For any questions about staying at the Polurrian as part of the tour, or about extending your time on the Lizard once you arrive, get in touch with us directly at polurrianhotel.com
