THAT TIME WE DROVE BENTLEYS AROUND OXFORDSHIRE

We still can’t quite believe we’re saying this, but yes—we spent a day at the utterly breathtaking Aynhoe Park, nestled deep in the rolling Oxfordshire countryside, driving Bentleys. Not just any Bentleys, mind you, but the absolute crème de la crème, including the newly unveiled Flying Spur Mulliner. If ever there was a way to live out a luxury-fuelled automotive fantasy, this was it.

Aynhoe Park, now home to RH England, is the perfect setting for such an indulgence. A restored Georgian manor house dripping in grandeur, with sprawling lawns and a sense of old-world elegance colliding with modern sophistication, it’s a venue that practically demands a fleet of Bentleys gracing its gravel driveway.

And that’s exactly what we got.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear this was no ordinary test drive. The lineup of Bentley models gleamed under the soft autumn sunlight, their impeccable craftsmanship and imposing presence making us feel both giddy with excitement and slightly intimidated, because, let’s be honest, how often do you get to slide behind the wheel of a quarter-million-pound-plus luxury machine?

THE BENTLEY EXPERIENCE

First up: the new Flying Spur Mulliner—and while we love and appreciate the ultimate blend of tork, performance, craftsmanship, and sustainability (yes, sustainability in a Bentley!), not gonna lie... much of the numbers here are straight off the website. This beast of a luxury sedan houses a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 hybrid engine, pushing out a staggering 771bhp and 1000Nm of torque. Translation? It’s ridiculously fast. 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds kind of fast. And yet, thanks to Bentley’s ultra-smooth Performance Active Chassis and air suspension, it glides over country roads like a cloud. A very, very powerful cloud. Can we talk about taking corners? Shhh... no, we cannot because we didn't speed. Promise.

Looks-wise, the Flying Spur Mulliner is nothing short of breathtaking. The distinctive floating-diamond Mulliner grille catches the light in the most mesmerising way, while the self-levelling Bentley ‘B’ badge on the 22-inch wheels stays perfectly upright as you cruise along. It’s these little details that make it a true work of art.

And the pièce de résistance? The illuminated Flying ‘B’ mascot gracefully emerging from beneath the bonnet as you unlock the car. Because of course it does.

Inside, it’s a sensory overload of luxury. This isn't your everyday mid-market luxury, it's a Bentley. The seats, swathed in the softest sustainable olive-tanned leather, are embroidered with the Mulliner emblem.

The door panels feature tactile 3D leather, and the customisable ambient lighting means you can set the mood - whether you’re feeling opulent in deep blues or playful in vibrant purples. A tiny silhouette of the Flying Spur is even etched onto the fascia, because, again, the details matter.

THE PERFECT DAY OUT

Of course, the Bentley experience wasn’t just about the driving (though we’d be lying if we said we weren’t tempted to just keep going and see where the roads took us). Our day at RH England was a masterclass in indulgence. After exhilarating test drives through the countryside, we settled into the stunning Orangerie for a three-course meal that can only be described as divine. Think locally sourced, exquisitely plated dishes served with the kind of flair you’d expect from an event of this calibre. And we got to enjoy watching the deer through the window as we dined.

Of course no wine for us as we were driving Bentleys (yes, we'll just keep saying it - we drove Bentleys!), but we did come back for a drink later to reflect on what an absurdly brilliant day it had been. Luxury cars, breathtaking scenery, an opulent manor house, and a topnotch meal? If this is what the Bentley lifestyle feels like, we’re absolutely on board.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Driving a Bentley, especially one as exquisitely engineered as the Flying Spur Mulliner, isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s an experience. A statement. A moment of pure automotive bliss. Let’s just say it set the bar very high for all future driving experiences.

So if you ever get the chance to get behind the wheel of one of these masterpieces, take it. Just be warned: everything else you drive afterward might feel just a little bit... underwhelming.

Bentley, you’ve ruined us. And we couldn’t be more grateful.