Went to Luton Hoo for a half day at the LRE centre recently and I have to say that I was seriously underwhelmed. Whilst it is impossible not to be hugely impressed with the RRS's off road capabilities we came away thinking it could have been so much better. Terrain-wise it paled into insignificance to the event I went to in ~1993 at the factory's "test site" in a Disco 1, with perhaps six concrete based obstacles and a corner of a muddy field. Never really felt our instructor listened to our questions, but already knew what he was going to tell us. We weren't allowed to drive up a (very) steep slope as that was reserved for paying customers (ours was complimentary).

All I can say is that I am VERY glad I didn't pay for it. Am I alone in this?

Luton Hoo is OK. Not sure if you asked the question here before booking but if you had, people would've recommended LRE Eastnor instead which is great. Complementary experience voucher allows you to book any centre in the country. At least it used to. Current: Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Pro PHEV with some optionals on top
Gone: MY16 RRS2 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic, Carpathian Grey & Santorini Black Sliding Pano/Ebony & Ivory 2 Tone
Gone: MY13 RRS 3.0 SDV6 HSE Black Edition, Orkney Grey/Ivory
Gone: MY09 RRS 2.7 TDV6 HSE, Santorini Black/Almond

True - but living in Sussex meant any other centre would have effectively meant an over night stay somewhere which I was happy to avoid.

The Factory site is good along with Eastnor. Remember Land Rover Development Engineers use both, although they use part of Eastnor that you will not be permitted to use. In Spain - 2018 F Pace - Frightened away from the Sports due to crank failures
Gone - A couple of RRS, A couple of Disco's. However thinking of another Sport.

I have done Luton Hoo and also found it less interesting than Dunkeld or Eastnor or even the great one at the Solihul factory. The Experience centre at Halewood was a total waste of time but they were very very restricted by the amount of space they have available in the factory grounds 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Yorkshire and three other locations (one already mentioned) beats the Luton Hoo facility any day of the week, and to be completely honest, I believe it's their worst site and surely must be due to close, by comparison to most others it offers nothing. John

RRS MY12 SDV6 HSE. Sumatra Black/Ebony & Walnut + Dynamic Pack, + Cold Climate Pack + Memory Pack, Digital TV/DVD, Premium Leather, Cornering Lights, Cooler/Fridge Box, & most Options.

We had a forum trip to Luton Hoo 2 or 3 years ago. As a free day out with the chance to drive the entire range of LR vehicles it was ok. As a site to learn the abilities of the vehicles, it's not great.

However, for a freebie half day I wouldn't complain. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

We had a go on the hour long taster session at Gaydon a few years ago. That was much better than Luton Hoo. All totally man made objects but done in a way that felt like it was a challenge for the beginner.

Eastnor is fabulous. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

The one at Dunkeld moved site a few years ago. Anyone been since then?

Robert

Had a half day at Dunkeld late 2015 driving a D4 and thought the facilities and driving area were excellent, luckily for me it's also my local centre and if for some strange reason there is someone out there that doesn't want to go blatting through the forest they can always go trout fishing! D3 LHD - great car !
RRS 2008 HSE in Java Black
Previous Cars Edited highlights
Alfa 4C
Audi S5
Disco 4
Alfa 939 Spider (250bhp)
Freelander 2 Dynamic
Lotus Elise S1

Had the pleasure of Visiting Eastnoor twice, 1st time was 5/6 years ago and 2nd time August 2016 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Changed quite a bit from the first time and I took along a couple of mates who were absolutely amazed at what could be achieved by the car on normal road tyres. The Instructor was great fun, entertaining and extremely patient and helpful and let each of us make fools of ourselves!!!
He also pointed out the light that comes on when the car is about to go over onto its side....... that would be the interior light meaning he's already gone out the door
They also run evening sessions as well which sound even more challenging when dark.

I see also on the website for the Dunkeld LRE that more places are running Trek days when for the tidy sum of £150 you can take your own car out with them for the day. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

crocs wrote:

The one at Dunkeld moved site a few years ago. Anyone been since then?

Robert

Thanks folks. Haven't been to Dunkeld since 2012 and just checking what the new place is like for my next complimentary half-day.

Eastnor is great. Had some great tunes there.

Also, if you have a child between 11 and 17, the start off road courses are huge fun