The Experience
Your day starts when you arrive at the Hampshire site near Winchester, where you check in and meet your tuition team. You begin with a clear safety briefing that covers how tracked vehicles operate, what control layouts to expect, and how hand signals work while you are out on the track.
Once the safety talk is finished, you head out to the vehicle line-up to start your driving sessions. You take the controls of four separate military machines, driving them across the dedicated off-road course one by one. You start by getting comfortable with clutch control, heavy steering levers, and throttle response in lighter tracked vehicles like the FV432 armoured personnel carrier and the Stormer mobile platform. As you get used to how the machinery responds, you step up to larger artillery pieces like the Abbot self-propelled gun.
The main stint brings you into the driver's hatch of a 55-tonne Chieftain main battle tank. As you work the twin steering levers, you feel the heavy track action pressing into the mud, with the 700-horsepower engine pulling you over mounds and rough soil. Because an experienced instructor sits beside you in every vehicle, you get direct advice on gear choices and line selection so you can handle the track with confidence.
Between your driving slots, you can grab complimentary hot drinks while watching the other heavy armour move around the circuit. After completing your drives in all four machines, you receive a personalised certificate of achievement to mark your time behind the wheel.
What’s Included:
- Driving sessions in 4 military vehicles, including a 55-tonne Chieftain tank
- Full safety briefing and 1-to-1 driving instruction
- Complimentary hot drinks and refreshments throughout the session
- Personalised certificate of achievement
Book your session and take the controls of real military armour!
Important Information
This course is suitable for ages 17 and upwards. You must hold a valid driving licence and may be required to produce it on the day. No previous tank or military driving experience is required. Nobody will be required to drive beyond their capabilities. To help us maintain our excellent safety record, participants must exercise due care at all times and follow the instructions and advice of our instructors.
The Weather
The weather should not affect this experience, but any cancellations are for your own safety.
Session Length
The experience will last approximately 3 and a half hours.
Numbers
This voucher entitles one person to enjoy Tank Driving in Hampshire, but you can always contact our customer service to book another voucher for your friend.
Spectators
Spectators will enjoy a passenger ride in a tank and complimentary tea and coffee and homemade cakes. Spectators are required to pay a fee of £15.00, but children under 10 are free. This is payable on the day at the location.
What To Wear
All drivers should wear long trousers, long sleeved jumpers or coats and sturdy walking boots with ankle support. Please also bring waterproofs if you have them in wet conditions, a change of clothes and shoes would not go a miss for your home ward journey. The ground can become particularly muddy during inclement weather. Spectators should wear comfortable but durable clothing in line with the weather conditions on the day.
Availability
This experience is available on selected dates between March and October, both mornings or afternoons.
Location
Winchester, Hampshire.
