Words Jon Saxon Pictures Land RoverMy parent's neighbour has a rather weird fascination with animals - of all shapes and sizes - all of which he allows to let roam free in the house. He has three domesticated mice, a cat (would you believe it) a dog (if it couldn't get any weirder) and a tortoise. A bit of a fruitcake he is indeed, but a charming character by all accounts, whom I like to visit whenever I happen to be in the UK. Now you can't beat a cup of Earl grey, from the splendour of a fine bone china tea cup, in the grasp of mid-afternoon in the depths of the UK countryside, but the moment can be somewhat marred by the leading characters from Stuart Little cavorting with one another in front of the TV, a cat and dog combo merrily scooting about amongst the dining room furniture in harmony and, a tortoise who is edging in earnest for the sanctuary of the living room sofa as a horse thuds in through the open French doors.

	lashed in muck and foliage... the most perfect day

Yes a horse. And a big one at that - some 18 hands and 1000kg Â- the gentle Shire horse, by the name of Aubrey, is clearly living the high life since his recent rescue from his former owner gypsies in London. But surely there is a line to be drawn at what is acceptable and what is not, in terms of animal ownership. I personally don't think a dog, or a cat for that matter (never mind mice and a tortoise) should be allowed on the first rung of the stairs, never mind setting a foot, paw, or claw near the bed sheets. But some think it is quite acceptable. But a cart horse, in the house - come on what's all that about?

But then, as I dipped a Digestive biscuit into my tea I thought about all of those sorrowful SUVs used for school runs and chained to a life of highway tarmac, rather than sticking their heels into the sand, or messing about in the mud. I desperately needed out of Dr Doolittle's animal sanctuary, to see horses gaily galloping alongside one another for hectares upon hectares, birds nesting in trees instead of my neighbour's airing cupboard - and while I was at it - if at all possible - I'd like to see an off-roader (designed to tackle the world's worst) doing just that. Luckily, a stone's throw from my old stomping ground is Eastnor Castle, set in 5000 acres of beautiful Herefordshire woodland and open countryside where a fleet of 150 red dear frolic and Land Rover set the stage for their Land Rover Experience. The only Land Rover owned experience centre, near to Ledbury, is no new gig for the company, as they have been using this facility for over forty years, so what better place to spend a day getting back to normality.

The Experience itself provides off road driving experience days, corporate and group events and professional training in off road driving to advanced level, winching, trailer handling, first aid and GPS navigation too. But I'm not here necessarily to learn anything too advanced, more aiming to get out the other side of Eastnor's wild woodland, without wrapping an LR2 around a 700-year old oak tree, or drowning! And I did just that, somehow, mostly in part to the outstanding in-car tutoring by my instructor. Being told to remove all feet from all the foot pedals as you descend a drop of epic proportions into a tight right-hand ravine neck deep in chocolate brown water (that doesn't smell as nice as it sounds) is something everyone should attempt to gift to themselves this year. A few turns later and you find that the water level is rising, eventually lapping over the bonnet, sending waves of murky water behind you. Crazy. Most (if not all to be honest) of the tasks to hand seem impossible at first, especially to a total off-road amateur like me, but once you've handed over your ultimate trust to the all-purpose vehicle and the instructor sat next to you, you find yourself back at The Bothy building, exchanging dark tales of danger and close calls with misfortune with a biscuit in one hand, a mug of coffee in the other, mud up over your boots and an irremovable grin.

Purveying the line-up of brand new LR2, LR3, Range Rover Sport and the Defender, from the warmth of the Bothy, it is impossible to distinguish between the models, now lashed in muck and foliage. I can only imagine what it must be like to break through this Blighty bush in a classic hero of off-roading, the Series 1 Landy. This is surprising talk, my evo workmates will have you know, knowing damn well how sceptical I was the night before leaving for the UK just to be buggering around in the bog, but I am now a true convert, noting this moment as one of the most perfect automotive days I've had, in a very long time indeed. Take my advice and book your flight and 'experience' now - I implore you.

For more information: www.lre-malverns.com