Armed with a 1963 Speedwell Mini Cooper and a sense of adventure, our motoring editor Mark G. Whitchurch and his daughter set out through Brittany and Guernsey in search of coastal roads, wartime history and unexpected motoring discoveries

I always find that the best adventures begin long before the engine turns over, and our 2026 Mini Adventure to France and Guernsey proved that once again. By the time my daughter and I rolled into Plymouth, anticipation had already settled in. The 1963 Speedwell Mini Cooper sat proudly in the car park, drawing admiring glances from passers-by who recognised the unmistakable silhouette of a British icon. It felt right that our little car would be the thread stitching together the next chapter of our daddy-daughter travels.

We wandered towards the waterfront, the air carrying a mix of sea salt, warm pavement and fish and chips. Vespa and Lambretta scooters stood in a colourful line, their owners chatting in clusters, leather jackets and retro helmets completing the scene. My daughter and I paused to admire them, appreciating the shared spirit between classic scooters and classic cars: machines that carry stories, not just passengers. Our Mini, with its Speedwell tuning and unmistakable charm, belonged to the same lineage of characterful machines that refuse to be forgotten.

We strolled past the Art Deco Tinside Lido and watched our ferry glide into port. Its arrival always feels like the moment a journey becomes real. You can plan, pack, polish the car and map the route, but it is when you see the ship that you know the adventure is truly under way.

The next morning, we rolled into Roscoff and pointed the Mini towards the minor roads, deliberately avoiding the motorways. The French backroads have a way of revealing the country’s soul – villages tucked into folds of green hills, stone houses with shutters painted in soft pastels and cafés that seem to exist purely for the pleasure of lingering. At Locquénolé, a couple of locals approached to admire the chrome and Speedwell touches. Classic cars transcend language barriers: they are universal conversation starters.

We continued through Plouëzoc’h and Bégard, the Mini handling the winding roads with the agility of a much younger car. Its compact frame was perfect for rural Brittany’s narrow lanes, while my daughter photographed the green-and-gold countryside from the passenger seat.

From Saint-Brieuc we made our way to Saint-Cast-le-Guildo and Fort la Latte, perched dramatically on the cliffs. Its stone walls, towers and sweeping sea views create a cinematic atmosphere that feels almost unreal. We explored the ramparts as the wind whipped around us, imagining centuries of history layered into the stone.

Lunch was at Le Petit Galet in Plévenon, where we enjoyed fresh moules-frites before continuing to Saint-Malo. After a swim and dinner at our hotel, we walked along the seafront as the sun sank through shades of pink and gold. The following morning, we took the fast ferry to Guernsey. Arriving in St Peter Port, we stopped for breakfast on the seafront before discovering that a motorsport hill climb was taking place nearby. The fastest cars tore up the course in just 29 seconds, and my daughter’s eyes widened with each run. Watching her excitement reminded me of my own early fascination with cars.

Our next stop was the Little Chapel, built in 1914 by Brother Déodat and decorated with seashells, pebbles and broken china. Its intricate mosaics create a kaleidoscope of colour and texture. My daughter wandered slowly, taking in every detail, and I felt grateful for the chance to share such an unusual place with her.

From there we visited the German Underground Hospital, an extraordinary and sobering site built during the Second World War. Constructed by forced labourers under German occupation, the tunnels stretch deep into the earth, their cold walls echoing with history. Walking through the dimly lit corridors, we felt the weight of the past – the hardship, fear and resilience of those who lived through the occupation.

From there, we travelled to Vazon Bay and Fort Hommet, where restored bunkers and fortifications reveal how deeply the island’s landscape was shaped by war. Many survived the postwar scrap drives thanks to local preservationists and organisations including Festung Guernsey and the German Occupation Museum.

At Battery Dollmann, we climbed the restored gun emplacement and explored an unrestored observation tower nearby. Graffiti-covered and weathered by time, it had an oddly anthropomorphic appearance. My daughter declared that it looked like a robot, and once she said it, I could not unsee it. There is something magical about seeing history through a child’s eyes – details become characters, structures become stories and the past feels alive.

After lunch overlooking the waves at Vazon Bay, we spent part of the afternoon at Saline Bay before driving around the island. With a maximum speed limit of 35 mph, Guernsey encourages slow travel, and the Mini was perfectly suited to its narrow roads. People waved, smiled and occasionally approached to ask about the car’s history. It seemed to carry its own little cloud of happiness wherever it went.

Dinner that evening was at Balthazar in St Peter Port, where the chef – trained by Gordon Ramsay – served a Beef Wellington that I would recommend without hesitation. My daughter and I lingered over dessert, enjoying the soft glow of the restaurant and the sense of contentment that comes from a day well spent.

The following morning, we visited Victoria Tower, built in 1848 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s visit. To enter, you collect the key from the nearby museum, a charming ritual that adds to the sense of occasion. From the top, we looked across Guernsey’s coastline, patchwork fields and winding roads. Standing there with my daughter, I felt a profound appreciation for the places we had explored and the memories we had created.

This was our third daddy-daughter adventure with the Mini, and each has woven itself into the tapestry of our family story. The Mini, with its quirks, its character, and its history, has become more than a car. It’s a companion, a catalyst for connection, and a reminder of the joy that comes from embracing the slower, more intentional side of travel.

As we drove back on to the ferry, my daughter resting her head on my shoulder, I felt the familiar blend of satisfaction and anticipation: satisfaction for the memories made, and anticipation for the journeys still to come. As long as the Mini keeps running, we will keep adding chapters to ours.

Want to do it yourself?

Whether you are behind the wheel of a classic Mini or a modern car, you can follow the route taken by our motoring editor on his father–daughter adventure through Brittany and Guernsey. From the ferry crossings and hotels to the coastal roads, historic sites and practical motoring cover, here is what you need to recreate the trip.

The Car

• Vehicle: 1963 Speedwell Mini Cooper

• Driving style: Minor roads and scenic back routes through Brittany, followed by Guernsey’s narrow lanes

• Preparation: AA Five-Star European Cover provided roadside assistance and travel protection throughout the journey

Ferry Crossings

• Outbound route: Brittany Ferries overnight service from Plymouth to Roscoff

• Cabin: Sea-view cabin with a lounge area, dinner on board and breakfast delivered the following morning

• Disembarkation: Priority disembarkation helped speed up the customs process

• Onward route: Saint-Malo to Guernsey on the 2-hour fast ferry

Accommodation

• Saint-Malo: Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville, which reopened in December 2025 after a 3-year restoration and includes a pool and restaurant

• Guernsey: 2 nights at the beachfront Cobo Bay Hotel, with parking for the Mini outside

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 – Plymouth to Roscoff

• Board the overnight Brittany Ferries crossing from Plymouth to Roscoff

• Use priority disembarkation to begin the drive quickly the following morning

Day 2 – Brittany to Saint-Malo

• Follow the minor roads through Locquénolé, Plouëzoc’h, Bégard and Saint-Brieuc

• Visit Fort la Latte at Saint-Cast-le-Guildo

• Continue to Saint-Malo for an overnight stay

Day 3 – Guernsey

• Take the fast ferry from Saint-Malo to Guernsey

• Explore St Peter Port, the Little Chapel, the German Underground Hospital, Vazon Bay, Fort Hommet and Battery Dollmann

Day 4 – Guernsey and return

• Visit Saline Bay and Victoria Tower

• Drive the island’s coastal roads before returning by ferry

Top Tips for Motorists

• Avoid motorways where possible and use Brittany’s minor roads for a slower, more scenic drive

• Allow extra time for spontaneous stops, particularly when travelling in a classic car that attracts attention

• Guernsey’s maximum speed limit is 35 mph, making it well suited to relaxed classic-car touring

• Arrange comprehensive European breakdown and travel cover before departure

Mark G. Whitchurch is a seasoned motoring journalist whose work—covering road tests, launch reports, scenic drives, major races, and event reviews—has appeared in The Observer, Daily Telegraph, Bristol Evening Post, Classic & Sports Car Magazine, Mini Magazine, Classic Car Weekly, AutoCar Magazine, and the Western Daily Press, among others. He won the Tourism Malaysia Regional Travel Writer of the Year in 2003 and is a member of The Guild of Motoring Writers.

The trip was supported by Brittany Ferries, the AA, VisitGuernsey and Cobo Bay Hotel.

READ MORE: ‘A century at speed: Brooklands and the 100-year story of Britain’s first Grand Prix‘. One hundred years after Britain staged its first Grand Prix at Brooklands, Mark G. Whitchurch looks back at the race that helped shape the country’s motorsport history – and ahead to a landmark celebration next month bringing 100 vintage and modern Grand Prix cars back to the circuit.

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_{All photos: Mark Whitchurch}