Exploring Bruges
To date, my only experience of Bruges was the film “In Bruges” – which I absolutely loved, but not quite enough to come here. Sitting in a cafe with friends in the shadow of the famous tower, I attempted to explain the film’s plot. This didn’t quite go according to plan; as I released it, it was a bit more complex and nuanced than I’d initially remembered.
Finishing our food and another drink, the grey skies were still here, but the rain had stopped. The square started to fill up again, and we decided that the best way to explore was to split up. Or, more to the point, I announced I was heading out to take some photos and didn’t invite anyone to come with me.
My rationale was they’d get bored fast with me stopped and starting, or I’d get frustrated that they were heading in a different direction from some cool things.
We paid the bill, and I headed into the square for a look around. I had a quick check on the phone to see if there were any locations from the film I could go and see and sure enough one came up which wasn’t too far away.
I headed back the way we’d come down the heavily commercialised Steenstrat and then did a left onto Simon Stevinplein. Immediately the atmosphere changed. This was a leafy and broad square with restaurants on it. While it wasn’t an ideal place to hang out in the soggy rain, it did look pretty awesome for a drink in the summer.
I headed down the road and into the corner onto Mariastraat when something which had been nagging me at the back of my head came into view. Bruges smelt amazing. It was a heady mixture of waffles on chocolate on every corner and I just knew I’d need to come back with my other half so she can sample to menus.
I continued past the various churches on Mariastraat until I came to Mariabrug, which according to the internet was in the film. This area was very busy indeed, with lots of groups of fellow tourists, most of whom looked like they’d come off coach trips given the numbers and diversity. Either that or they were just big families.
The smell of waffles on chocolate were taken to another level here, but there weren’t many photo opportunities so I headed back up the road and took a right at the Church of Our Lady of Bruges onto Guido Gezelleplein. I bumbled into the square of Museumpaviljoen which was empty. By the time I’d got my camera out, it was full of other people bimbling.
I hiked to the river (Viewpoint De Dijver) and then doubled back into a small garden (Arentshof) with the four horsemen of the apocalypse statues and a busy little pedestrian bridge (Bonifaciusbrug). It started to rain again, heavily. While the unprepared population panicked I donned the Gortex, put the camera away and strolled down the river to Rosary Quay, which is an impressive turn in the canal. Opposite there’s a place called the Beer Wall which came highly recommended from one of the other TVR Tour members.
Heading through Huidenvettersplein I popped out by the canal again to the curiously Roman looking Vismarkt (fishmarket) and then carried on down to Puente en Meestraat Brujas.
I was starting to run out of time so headed up to Hoogstraat and hung a left into the delightful De Burg.
We’d agreed to meet at the Duvelorium Grand Beer Café, and sure enough the boys were there. A quick toilet stop and then we were wandering the scenic route back to the cars.
After packing up the rain got heavier and as we travelled towards the hotel we encountered one of Europes many insanely tightly curved motorway junctions. John lifted off the accelerator on the corner and as we got half was through the apex a Yaris materialised who’d not managed to negotiate the bend and had parked in the concrete arnco.
After another half an hours drive, John declared his knob was hot. Thankfully, he was referring to the curious way the Cerbera’s gear leaver heated up when in lower gear and nothing else and we continued to the hotel for the night which had a fantastic, rain free, acoustically fun underground carpark.
As it was still pouring we opted for pizza in the hotel, which took an age to come but was well worth the wait. I tried to order a cup of tea, but got blank looks from the staff, in the end we got a cup of boiling water, some milk and I supplied my own teabag, while the boys sank a few cold ones.
We settled down to plan the next couple of days and John said he was interested in going to the “Nuremberg ring” which had us all in stitches for a good half an hour.
As the night drew to a close, we prayed for the weather to improve, the cars to start and there to be minimal snoring.
Follow TVR Tour on Social
Questions About the TVR Roadtrip?
If you’ve got any questions about the incredible TVR Tour Roadtrip I’ve been through here, please get in touch using the form below. You can also follow us on Social Media above for up-to-date photos, and check out the FAQ section.
Pictures by ExperiencePhotography.co.uk unless otherwise stated.
TVR Tour FAQs
The TVR Cerbera.
The T350 was undeniably fun—its sharp handling and compact size made it perfect for short journeys, whether nipping across North Wales or blasting around local roads. It’s a thrilling car that delivers an engaging driving experience in every corner.
But when it came to covering serious miles in the Alps, the Cerbera truly shone. It had the power, the presence, and a sense of occasion that made every twist and turn of the mountain roads unforgettable. There’s something about the way it devours long distances while still feeling raw and exciting that cemented it as my favourite for the trip.
The T350 may be the perfect car for quick weekend blasts, but for epic road trips, the Cerbera wins hands down.
Technically, the TVR Sprint Magazine article was finished before the blog, but the blog was started first.
When we embarked on the unforgettable TVR trip to the Eagles Nest, we knew it was something special. The journey, featuring the TVR Cerbera and TVR T350, took us through some of the most breathtaking Alpine roads, including the Rossfeld Panoramastraße, where we captured the now-iconic magazine cover shot.
The blog began as a way to document the trip as it unfolded, providing real-time updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and additional insights that didn’t make it into the magazine. However, writing for Sprint Magazine Issue 570 (June 2023) required a more structured and polished approach, with final details, images, and editing completed before the blog was fully wrapped up.
So, while the blog came first in concept, the Sprint article was finalised and published first. Both tell the story of the trip in their own way—one as an exclusive magazine feature, the other as an extended, behind-the-scenes account that continues to evolve.
Yes! Our unforgettable trip to the Eagles Nest was featured in TVR Sprint Magazine, Issue 570 (June 2023). The feature included stunning images and detailed notes about the cars, capturing the essence of the adventure.
For this trip, we took both the TVR Cerbera and the TVR T350, driving through breathtaking Alpine roads, with the highlight being the Rossfeld Panoramastraße, where we managed to get the main cover shot for the magazine. The article covered the journey, the cars, and the incredible driving experience, bringing the spirit of TVR ownership to life for readers.
Experience Photography provided all photography for the feature, showcasing the cars against the dramatic mountain scenery. The trip itself was expertly organised by Ben Coombs, well-known for his epic road trips and adventures. It was an incredible experience and a proud moment to see it featured in Sprint Magazine!
If you own a TVR (such as the TVR T350) or simply love the brand, you might have heard about TVR tours, but are they worth it? These road trips bring TVR enthusiasts together for epic drives on some of the best roads in the UK and Europe, often featuring scenic routes, social events, and the unmistakable roar of TVR engines.
A TVR tour isn’t just about the driving (though that’s a huge part of it). It’s also about meeting like-minded people, swapping stories, and experiencing the quirks of these legendary cars in a group setting. Expect a mix of thrilling A-roads, breathtaking landscapes, and well-planned stops at car-friendly hotels, pubs, and landmarks. Some tours even include exclusive access to motorsport venues or special TVR-related experiences.
But what if you don’t own a TVR? Many tours allow passengers or support vehicles, making it possible to join in and enjoy the experience from the passenger seat. Whether you’re considering buying a TVR or just want to see what all the fuss is about, a TVR tour could be the perfect way to get involved in the community. See our Instagram channel here for more photos.
A TVR tour is a group driving experience where TVR owners and enthusiasts take their cars on scenic road trips, often exploring some of the best driving routes in the UK and beyond. These tours range from single-day meetups to multi-day road trips, with planned stops at scenic locations, car-friendly hotels, and sometimes even motorsport venues.
But should you go on one? If you love driving and want to experience your TVR (such as the TVR Cerbera) as it was meant to be driven, on open, exciting roads alongside like-minded enthusiasts, then the answer is probably yes! TVR tours offer the perfect mix of thrilling drives, social meetups, and opportunities to swap stories with fellow owners. Even if you don’t own a TVR, you might still be able to attend as a passenger or support vehicle.
Every tour is different, with some being casual meetups and others professionally organised events with set routes, accommodation, and breakdown support (just in case). Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or an epic road trip, there’s likely a TVR tour that fits your driving style. Have a read of Ben Coombs book to get a feel for the ultimate adventure and follow us now on Instagram to see all the latest images. Photography by Experience Photography unless otherwise stated.
TVR Tour Video
Others like you also viewed…
Others like you also viewed…
Motorsport Blog Pages
A selection of motorsport-related blogs, pages and info. Check them out now.
