MEMORABLE MG ROUTES
The collection here, is the world’s
Edgehill and the English Civil war
largest of British cars including some 21 In the 1640s, England was split asunder by a bitter
or so MGs, from the very first MG
civil war.
'Old No. 1', to a 2005 MG SV, together
The King, Charles I, believed strongly in the right
of the monarch to rule as he saw fit and to raise taxes
with several record breakers. for whatever purpose. The Parliament on the other
Being refreshed and amazed by the MG
hand, believed equally strongly in their right to deny
exhibits we begin the second half of our
funds to the Crown. This resulted in armed conflict
between 'Roundheads' the Parliamentarians and
route, which soon crosses the M40 heading 'Cavaliers' the supporters of the Royalist cause.
Eastwards and, in a few miles, we come
The first battle of the war took place close to
across the Burton Dassett County Park.
Edge Hill, but the result was inconclusive. The narrow
wood on the scarp of Edge Hill, some 700ft (200m)
The remains of a windmill sit upon the crest high, overlooks the plain on which the battle was
Onwards through Milton and Bloxham of a hill (203m) peppered with quarry
fought. The Castle Inn stands on the summit of the hill
our route winds it way to Broughton and, workings, and stunning views over four
on the spot where King Charles raised his standard
and summoned his officers to war. The octagonal
after passing the Saye & Sele Arms, we counties, where on a clear day you can see tower was constructed in 1742 to commemorate
come to the castle itself. Sadly, it is not the Malvern Hills.
the 100th Anniversary of the battle, and the bar in the
actually visible from the road, but that is a Dropping down through Fenny
pub has much civil war memorabilia.
further incentive to stop and explore. Compton, we traverse the A423 and Heritage Motor Museum
The road, now very narrow with grass immediately cross the Oxford canal for the
The museum houses the largest collection, over 250
growing in the middle, climbs and winds its second time on our route at
cars, of British motor vehicles in the world,
encompassing models from 1890 up until the present
way over a ridge with stunning views to the Wormleighton. Note the interesting day. There are 21 models representing the MG
distant horizon. gatehouse as you drive by.
marque from 1925 until 2005, including several
Continuing through pleasant lanes we The attractive villages of Priors
record-breaking cars.
A 'time line', ever-changing temporary exhibitions,
leave Oxfordshire and enter Warwickshire, Hardwick and Priors Marston are passed an 'off road' experience and a Go Kart track, together
dropping down into the villages of Upper & through before entering Northamptonshire
with a library, film shows, cafe and shop make this an
Middle Tysoe complete with attractive with pleasant countryside and quiet roads
interesting destination for the motoring enthusiast.
www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk
houses, pubs a village green and church, which lead us on to Canons Ashby.
then onwards till we meet the A422, where
Canons Ashby
the road ascends the steep slope of the
This country house derives its name from the priory
of Augustinian Canons established here in the late
Edge Hill ridge. twelfth century.
In about 1550 John Dryden built the core of the
present house, probably incorporating an earlier
structure on the site and it remained in the Dryden
family ownership, until it was acquired by the National
Trust in 1980.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-
canonsashbyhouse
Sulgrave Manor
The original Tudor house was built in 1540–60 as
the home of Laurence Washington, a wool trader
of Northampton.
The most interesting fact is that it has been
identified as the home of the great, great, great,
great, great, grandfather of George Washington
Although not on our route, a short (¼ who was destined to become the first President of
mile) detour takes us to Upton House, a
the USA. The Stars and Stripes flag still flies on the
National Trust property with motoring
flag pole.
www.sulgravemanor.org.uk
connections, being the former home of
Viscount Bearsted, the Chairman of Shell The house and its gardens are a delight,
Pubs
from 1921–46. together with its attendant church, which is
You can be sure of a warm welcome, together with
good beer and food at the following establishments:
Back on our route, the road traverses all that remains of the 12th-century Red Lion – Evenly, Butchers Arms – Kings Sutton,
the ridge of Edge Hill where tantalising Augustinian Priory, whence the house gets
Coach & Horses – West Adderbury, Saye & Sele
glimpses of the plain below can be had its name.
Arms – Broughton, The Peacock – Tysoe,
The Castle – Edge Hill, The Holly Bush – Priors
through the screen of trees, past the Soon we come across Sulgrave, this Marston, The Star – Sulgrave
Castle Inn, with its striking octagonal tower delightful Northants village displays a variety
built in 1742 to celebrate the 100th of charming cottages and grand houses, a
Paul Plummer
Anniversary of the Civil War battle of fine pub, together with the fabulous Route Data
Edge Hill.Now flowing down the scarp, the Sulgarve Manor. Built in cica 1500 this is the
The route is around 80 miles long and the
road descends onto the plain where the ancestral home of George Washington,
approximate MG driving time is about 4 hours.
Allow a full day, if you wish to visit some of the
actual battle took place and past the first President of the USA. attractions and have lunch together with some
memorial cairn by the roadside and onto A further 10 miles takes us through the
liquid refreshment.
the village of Kineton. In a further five miles villages of Helmdon, Wappenham and
More detailed route instructions are available
from the MG Car Club’s website (www.mgcc.co.uk).
we reach our halfway stop, the Heritage Abthorpe then finally to Silverstone, and on
Motor Museum at Gaydon. to our finishing point back at the circuit.
www.mgcc.co.uk NOVEMBER 2008 Safety Fast! 63
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