Factory tour - 16 Aug 2023

[MIGZ]

I am booked for the Factory tour early part of Oct.

Needing some help with local logistics, recommend place to stay the night before.

Best way to get there from London ?

 

[Aero]

I am booked for the Factory tour early part of Oct.

Needing some help with local logistics, recommend place to stay the night before.

Best way to get there from London ?

Some good info here:

Suggestions for where to stay near Hethel

Given it looks like by car is turning up within the next 6-8weeks here in Oz, I decided to bite the bullet and come do the driving academy/factory tour prior to taking possession ( a long way to come I know, but 2 years on this forum has moved the reality distortion field somewhat wider than it...

www.emiraforum.com

I personally took the train from Kings Cross to Wymondham. Short cab ride from there. Can also go to Norwich and stay but the cab ride will be longer.

 

[JimH]

Some good info here:

Suggestions for where to stay near Hethel

Given it looks like by car is turning up within the next 6-8weeks here in Oz, I decided to bite the bullet and come do the driving academy/factory tour prior to taking possession ( a long way to come I know, but 2 years on this forum has moved the reality distortion field somewhat wider than it...

www.emiraforum.com

I personally took the train from Kings Cross to Wymondham. Short cab ride from there. Can also go to Norwich and stay but the cab ride will be longer.

Not many taxis about in Wymondham unless you prebook - Norwich is a better bet from that aspect…..

 

[jamesbxxx]

Liverpool Street to Norwich is less than 2 hours. Golds taxi was £20 and around 20-30 mins from the centre.

 

[Aero]

Not many taxis about in Wymondham unless you prebook - Norwich is a better bet from that aspect…..

I found that out the hard way. We got there when school let out so they were all gone. We had to walk to a pub and have one called. Be simple if you prebook though. It was 10 Pounds from there to Lotus.

 

[MIGZ]

ill need some taxi companies to get that pre booked

 

[Aero]

ill need some taxi companies to get that pre booked

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092561383218 is who we used. She took us to the hotel, picked us up from the hotel (the next morning) to lotus, from Lotus to train station. Always on time when booked/told her in advance. After initial call.

There is also one supposedly (who werent) stationed at the train station but they weren't there when we got there. But another option:

Station Taxis 07765 402602

www.wymondhamtaxi.com

If you go to Norwich there's probably several waiting outside for you at all times. Wymondham is a very tiny station. But then you still need ride while in Hethel. THe Lotus security guards called the taxi when we were done for the day.

 

[Maurice R]

Thinking of maybe doing the factory tour in October
Any help on what is best way to get there from Heathrow.

 

[Aero]

Thinking of maybe doing the factory tour in October
Any help on what is best way to get there from Heathrow.

What I did: Underground/Tube from LHR airport to Kings Cross or whatever station you need to transfer to train (route of your choosing) that goes out to Lotus. Google maps pretty good estimates for this.

 

[SteveJohnson]

I am booked for the Factory tour early part of Oct.

Needing some help with local logistics, recommend place to stay the night before.

Best way to get there from London ?

Old Thorn Barn is a lovely B&B almost next door to the factory

 

[Maurice R]

Old Thorn Barn is a lovely B&B almost next door to the factory

Trying to do factory tour and lotus track at same time. Either October 9 or 10.
This is a birthday gift to myself
Excuse my ignorance but where do I go on website to book this
Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[JimH]

Trying to do factory tour and lotus track at same time. Either October 9 or 10.
This is a birthday gift to myself
Excuse my ignorance but where do I go on website to book this
Any help would be greatly appreciated

Lotus Factory Tours | Lotus Cars United Kingdom - Welcome to the Hethel Factory.

Welcome to Lotus Factory Tours at Hethel, the home of Lotus Cars and Classic Team Lotus. Experience the most significant Lotus race cars from Formula 1.

www.lotuscars.com

Lotus Driving Academy | Lotus Cars United Kingdom

Welcome to the world-renowned Lotus Driving Academy at Hethel, Norfolk – the home of Lotus Cars since 1966.

www.lotuscars.com

 

[Maurice R]

Lotus Factory Tours | Lotus Cars United Kingdom - Welcome to the Hethel Factory.

Welcome to Lotus Factory Tours at Hethel, the home of Lotus Cars and Classic Team Lotus. Experience the most significant Lotus race cars from Formula 1.

www.lotuscars.com

Lotus Driving Academy | Lotus Cars United Kingdom

Welcome to the world-renowned Lotus Driving Academy at Hethel, Norfolk – the home of Lotus Cars since 1966.

www.lotuscars.com

Thank you much appreciated.

 

[Maurice R]

it seems that the driving academy has no availability for 10 or11 October. Sucks.
Have flight booked but on hold for now.

 

[Maurice R]

Tried booking but could not, say everything not available

So emailed my dealership and asked for help.
One of the owners got back to me almost immediately and said he would contact Lotus USA to find out. Below is email he received.
Really sucks. Already had flights booked but was fortunately able to cancel.
Lotus Dallas you guys are the best.

Email from Lotus USA
.…, the factory confirmed with me that on-track activity is closed from October through February, reopening in March. Unfortunately, this means the track will not be available for his 10/10 or 10/11 visit. The factory remains open for tours, however.

 

[TomE]

Although not the same as the Lotus Driving Academy, there is availability at Thruxton Motor Circuit to do their Emira Driving Experience on 6th and 7th October (and 27th and 28th):

Lotus Emira Driving Experience

Drive the latest model from Lotus Cars - the Lotus Emira plus the Alpine A110S, all on the UK's fastest race circuit.

thruxtonracing.co.uk

 

[Maurice R]

Although not the same as the Lotus Driving Academy, there is availability at Thruxton Motor Circuit to do their Emira Driving Experience on 6th and 7th October (and 27th and 28th):

Lotus Emira Driving Experience

Drive the latest model from Lotus Cars - the Lotus Emira plus the Alpine A110S, all on the UK's fastest race circuit.

thruxtonracing.co.uk

Tom thanks for the info. How far is Truxton from Hethel. If I do that I would do factory tour then go there

 

[MIGZ]

Trying to do factory tour and lotus track at same time. Either October 9 or 10.
This is a birthday gift to myself
Excuse my ignorance but where do I go on website to book this
Any help would be greatly appreciated

I’ll be there the morning of the 9th already booked for factory tour

 

[TomE]

Tom thanks for the info. How far is Truxton from Hethel. If I do that I would do factory tour then go there

It’s about 200 miles and a 3h30 drive from Hethel to Thruxton, depending on traffic. Hethel is north east of London and Thruxton is south west, so you’ve got to factor in the M25 London orbital motorway, which can be running fine but is often clogged.

 

[Fil]

Beat me to it My Factory tour is in conjunction with the driving academy on the 31st of this month.
Will need to compare notes when back in Oz.

Mine too. See you there tomorrow