The Cotentin Challenge!

18 August 2025 / Stuart Boreham / Comments Off on The Cotentin Challenge!

The Cotentin Challenge!

Following the DDay tour recce we knew there was more to see so returned to try and find a route through the Cotentin Peninsular – the hilly bit that sticks out towards Cherbourg. Less historical and more laney, Maggie and I were accompanied by clients and friends the Baileys in their splendid lorry-engined 110, too old to be a Defender.

This was a much more challenging route than the D-Day. The lanes were more overgrown, less frequented and with many more climbs. It felt a little like mid Wales but with sea and cheese. We even had to dig ourselves out at one point – a proper adventure.

There is still a ton of history to see – old airports and arms dumps, France’s tallest lighthouse and a chance to drive on the wonderful Utah Beach, town named for the Americans who landed there in the summer of 1944.

The plan is to run this tour in 2026 the weekend after the D Day one so people can do both if they wish, or just enjoy this more challenging of trips. This French 4×4 lane tour is not for the feint hearted – but it is awesome. 

Did we mention cheese?

Stuart Boreham

Stuart Boreham

Stuart has been involved with Green Laning for a number of years and is the Surrey and Sussex area representative and a director of the Green Lane Association who campaign for countryside access rights and promote good practice. These values exactly match those of Surrey 4x4 Tours. He tends to operate the more adventurous 'not for shinies' tours and also runs our tours in France.