The Scenic Route: | Daily Mail Online

I picked up the red Morgan Plus Four from the Kensington-based dealer, squeezed myself in with the aid of some Swarfega, pressed the starter, and it was chocks away!

With the bonnet stretching in front of me, wheels just behind my backside and the refined crackle of a modern BMW engine under the hood, it was the perfect set of wheels for the weekend. The destination: Goodwood Revival, where all things cars and style from 1948-1966 (the circuit’s original period) are celebrated in the best possible taste. Dressing up, stalls, food, dancing and a glass of bubbly whilst watching cars of yesteryear screaming around the track at full tilt. Festivities kick-off on the Friday, and many stay on site or at a nearby hotel for the weekend.

I decided to drive there and back on the Saturday and Sunday to fully enjoy the journey. Setting off on a bright morning, I headed two hours from London to pick up my plus one from Rye, East Sussex. Leather driving gloves on, roof down – I certainly was getting a lot of attention.

People really loved this car, or was it my outfit? Lots happy faces waving, giving me the thumbs-up. At least I think it was their thumb. It’s comfortable too, thankfully, as we had a further two hours of driving ahead of us yet.

It was back up with the roof at this point, so as to not ruin my passenger’s hair, or for her borrowed vintage pillbox hat to end up in the hard shoulder.

The start of the Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy race at Goodwood Revival Festival at Goodwood Circuit, Goodwood, UK on 17 September 2022.

We meandered our way along picturesque winding roads, over the top of Brighton, then Worthing and onto Goodwood. The Revival will be celebrating 25 years next year, and it’s now become an essential part of the calendar for many. Even if cars aren’t your thing, I bet you can’t help but be enthralled by the sight and roar of a Sixties Ferrari, Lotus or Jaguar thundering around the track at full whack.

VINTAGE STYLE

After a superb day, I drove us home. It was lot of driving – it felt like I was part of some kind of Le Mans 24-hour endurance test. The magic of it all was having an effect on me.

The following morning, it was back behind the wheel early, back to Goodwood via Surrey to pick up my 23-year old niece, who loves to get involved in the vintage side of the event. She looked so on trend that she got picked to take part in the best-dressed competition. I alas got overlooked.

Another splendid day was had which concluded with the emotive sight and sound of Spitfires overhead.

Spitfire display in the evening during the Goodwood Revival 2022 at Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex.

Goodwood Revival is the perfect place for all ages to celebrate the bygone era that my parents, grandparents and perhaps you enjoyed. This paired with a Morgan, simply confirmed this: Cool Britannia still rules, OK.