A spotlight on: Phil Rowe, Vintage Classics

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Vintage Classics

I have always had a love of classic cars staring with my very first car a 1959 Frogeye Sprite and when the opportunity presented itself in 2003 to turn the enthusiasm for classics into a business – Vintage Classics was born. I have the grand title of Managing Director but as it is a small family firm that means covering a lot of roles! On a daily basis it is everything from telephone and email enquiries about the hire of a classic, for a short break, a birthday surprise, a “try before you buy” hire, proms, weddings and engagements to handing over a car to a client and waving them off to explore Wiltshire. In between there’s the servicing and maintenance of all the cars and cleaning them – lots and lots of cleaning!

What do you like best about your role there?

The variety - no two days are ever the same and knowing that you’ve helped someone to fulfil their long-held dream of driving an E-Type Jaguar or Austin Healey still gives a warm glow after 14 years.

Where are your favourite places to visit in Wiltshire and why?

Lacock and Castle Combe are two firm favourites -  Lacock is just so picture postcard perfect and retains quaint shops and inns frequented by locals and tourists alike alongside the Abbey and Museum but it’s a living breathing village – with character at every turn. Castle Combe is charming with it’s beautiful church and village square – the trout stream that runs through the bottom of the village is the icing on the cake – a great place to play pooh sticks with your kids!

Do you have any hidden Wiltshire gems that you’d like to share with our readers?

We have a lot of tourist attractions in Wiltshire but a few villages are off the well beaten track and worth a look:

Steeple Ashton, near Trowbridge has a stunning High Street including the lock-up on the green.

Biddestone is a delightful village with a couple of pubs and a duck pond.

Heaven’s Gate, Warminster – overlooking the Longleat Estate – absolutely stunning views.

Where’s your favourite Wiltshire picnic spot?

Heaven’s Gate is hard to beat particularly at sunset!

Where are your favourite places to eat out in Wiltshire and why?

We have a preference for good pub grub and we are spoilt for choice in the local area. The Longs Arms in Steeple Ashton has brilliant fish fingers and chips, The Westbrook Inn on the A3102 at Bromham has a varied menu, is reasonably priced and has a great atmosphere and The Barge at Seend Cleeve has really good food, with tables outside overlooking the canal – a great place to watch the world glide by and stunning at sunset.