The MGs gathered in the middle of the Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking ready for the inaugural South East Run to begin. Coffee, breakfast baps and wine shopping began the day before all entrants had signed on and the Chairman, Tim, conducted his introduction to today’s events. All entrants had received a South East Run rally plate and printed route book – luckily most had been on tulip rallies before so knew the procedure.
With the usual warning to watch out for horses and cyclists Tim unfurled his giant Union Jack and waved the cars off into the depths of the Surrey, Sussex and Kent countryside. The route was just over 50 miles in length keeping to minor B roads for the most part and taking in some scenic countryside including Ashdown Forest and Ardingly Reservoir.
With the last car flagged away the team at Denbies took the fastest route down to Bewl Water where they were ready to wave the chequered flag at the finish.
Some cars stopped off at one of the numerous pubs on the route for lunch or in the various car parks through Ashdown Forest before arriving at the finish point. Bewl Water is the largest man made body of water in the UK and is an important reservoir for the south of England. It is over 12 miles in circumference and we don’t think that any of MG crews did the entire walk! There were shorter walks along the shoreline but most were happy to sit with their cars and break out the picnic baskets enjoying the MGs by the lake and each other’s convivial company.
The Run was originally intended to finish at Herstmonceaux Castle in Sussex but overunning restoration works prevented that. Bewl was an accommodating choice but we have already pencilled in Sunday 17th May 2026 for the original destination of Herstmonceaux. Put it in your diaries.
