Classic vehicle ownership is clearly a very broad hobby, some like to maintain, some lavishly restore, some “show and shine” at every opportunity whilst others just like to drive their cherished vehicle. It was with this last idea in mind that Tiddler Tours came about. What is a Tiddler and what does a Tiddler Tour entail I hear you ask?
The Tiddler
Tiddlers are basically any small classic car usually with a small displacement engine and generally diminutive dimensions. Good examples include Pre-BMW era Minis, Healey Sprites, MG Midgets, Hillman Imps etc.* The reason for the smaller vehicle becomes clear when the Tour concept is better understood. The Tiddler will be in its element driving at average speeds of 45-50 miles per hour; it’s certainly not at home keeping up with modern traffic on the average motorway or dual carriageway. *Qualification of one’s vehicle entails a long and rigorous validation process but has been known to be expedited on occasion, I understand, with the applicant supplying a quantity of beer and/or cake.
The Tour
The idea of the Tour is to find single-carriageway and single track roads that have been largely unchanged since the 1960s (when many a Tiddler was still current) and they can be safely driven at Tiddler speed. The best roads traverse the beautiful UK countryside and include plenty of hills and corners to test the handling and torque characteristics. It’s amazing how much fun you can have at 40mph when the roads get narrow and twisty! The route will include sites of historical interest, regular tea and pee stops normally ending at a welcoming tavern for overnight rest and recuperation. The number of vehicles is generally kept low (generally a maximum of 4) as there are rare times when detours, stops and diversions are needed.
How does a Tour differ from a more traditional drive out? Most classic runs take part on similar scenic routes and make use of the minor country lanes but are generally taken at a more leisurely pace than you’d find on a Tiddler Tour. You’ll see E-Type Jags that rarely get out of second gear and have to hug the hedgerows to avoid oncoming traffic. By contrast on the Tiddler Tour you’ll be motoring along at what feels like a far more exhilarating pace, planning the best line to take on the next fast approaching apex. Participants keep well within the speed limits mind, it’s just the limited power provided by the cars are more optimised for the road conditions.
Recent Tour History
The longer 3 day tours have taken participants from a start point in Marlborough, across the downs towards the cotswolds, then a sharp left round Gloucester, crossing border country into Mid-Wales. Once in Wales we have taken in some military roads (B4519 is great), skirted rivers and reservoirs and driven famous passes like the Abergwysn to the Devil’s Staircase (think Stelvio in miniature). There is the occasional need to stop and tinker with one’s Tiddler (stop sniggering) but generally the cars have been very reliable with only one failure to proceed so far.* Some notable destinations and waypoints include the Abergwesyn Pass, the Elan Valley, Llyn Brianne reservoir (and the roads around) and most of the roads and market towns around mid Wales.
*Note: The affected vehicle was not strictly compliant with Tiddlers rules and was only participating with temporary approval from the Tiddler committee
On reflection I think the committee will be more strict in future. Given where we are in West Berkshire and being so close to the borders with Hampshire and Wiltshire there are plenty of local roads and destinations that are ideal for one day (or even half day) Tours. During 2024 we’ve managed trips to Shaftesbury (taking in the wonderful roads along the Test Valley, through Stockbridge, on to Salisbury and Wilton and through Cranborne Chase) another recent trip to Alresford provided the opportunity to drive through Barton Stacey toward Micheldever and along the Itchen Valley, taking in the various Candover’s on the way back
Richard Huntley (2024)
