PROMOTION

FIVE GREAT PLACES TO STAY, EAT AND SHOP – IN A CITY CAR THAT’S GREAT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Words Hannah Banks-Walker | Photography Jonny Storey

For the first time in ages, I needed a car. But given my rustiness on the roads, I needed something that would make driving infinitely easier. And that’s exactly what the Peugeot 208 did.

I felt at home as soon as I sat in the driver’s seat. No mean feat for this car-phobe. Unlike other gadget-heavy models I’ve travelled in, the 208 ensures everything is as easy and familiar to use as the phone in the palm of my hand, with its ability to ‘mirror’ the functionality of Apple and Android devices on the central touchscreen. I could speak to friends en route and listen to my favourite songs. I didn’t even have to worry about running out of ’phone battery – there’s a hidden compartment just below the dashboard that allowed me to charge it wirelessly. The dream.

And the 3D i-Cockpit® display above the steering wheel let me scroll through everything from my route (much needed as my sense of direction is not excellent) to my music choice, the latter of which was very important on my solo road trip to reach the country air of Suffolk.

FABULOUS PLACES TO STAY

My first stop was to check out Wilderness Reserve, a lovely estate where you can stay in a luxury farmhouse, ride bikes and even stock up at the old-fashioned sweet shop. So, I swapped my very comfortable car seat for a basket-bearing bicycle and started to feel like a new woman after just half an hour. I cycled around the lake (avoiding the poor bemused sheep) and even travelled down the road to check out Moat Cottage, a six bedroom house that is surrounded only by fields (and, indeed, a moat).

While I was revelling in some fresh air and actual, real-life greenery, the prospect of plenty of parking on my mini-break was causing stress levels to increase again. Having been known to simply stop, get out of the car and consider weeping pathetically until someone came to my aid, I think it's fair to say parking of any kind is – or was – my nemesis. But one of my favourite things about the Peugeot is the rear-view camera that ensured no weeping of any kind occurred.

Grazia goes electric! Read our Bristol city break – in a Peugeot electric 208

Next up was to investigate the Balancing Barn, an incredible piece of architecture that appears to defy gravity by levitating metres above the ground. The steel tile-clad structure, with two tasteful, modern, open plan areas and accommodation for eight, must be the only dwelling in Suffolk where you can ride an outdoor swing beneath a building’s ground level.

drivING To the heart of Suffolk arts culture

Driving along, I mused that my initial nerves had been calmed by the car’s array of safety features. On the motorway for example, Speed Limit Recommendation, Distance Alert (to the vehicle in front) and Lane Keeping Technologies acted as my very own car companion. And the PureTech 130 petrol engine was operated by an EAT8 automatic transmission, which smoothly cycled through all eight gears without me having to lift finger or foot.

As dusk threatened to fall, I was gazing in awe at the sun-dappled wheat fields of Snape Maltings, surrounded by Benjamin Britten's impressive concert hall. And thanks to the culture campus’s array of galleries, shops and cafés, I picked up presents for birthdays that wouldn't be celebrated for months and left feeling more organised than ever.

Darkness covered my surroundings as I drove to my hotel which, rather than making me feel slightly unnerved, made me aware of the fact that the car's little details – ambient lighting, the ability to choose my own in-car colour scheme – made me feel so much more comfortable and like I had even designed a car for myself.

I was surprised to find myself feeling genuinely excited to do some more driving, which I can honestly say is a first in my life. While on my way to Vida Haus, a plant-based café that also has a yoga studio, treatment rooms and an array of thoughtful gifts for sale, I encountered some heavy traffic, which I was not anticipating. Luckily, I could employ the car's drive assist capabilities once again, which allow for braking and accelerating that reflects the traffic flow ahead.

I had to tear myself away from Vida Haus, given that the food was so delicious and the staff so completely charming. While I was tempted to book myself in for one of their beauty treatments, I remembered that not only did I have more to explore, I could also make use of the massage function on my driver's seat. Not a bad substitute, especially when stuck in a traffic jam.

Prize draw: win a road trip to a boutique hotel – and a Peugeot to travel there in

FINAL DESTINATION: NEW STREET MARKET

Thankfully, no traffic jams could be seen as I drove through the countryside to Woodbridge. I explored New Street Market, the most wonderful space that acts as a collective of local creatives, providing brilliant fashion, food, flowers, homewares and beauty treatments.

Here, I stocked up on ribbon (v. important for previously purchased birthday presents), not to mention armfuls of flowers and, finally, a delicious lunch.

As I made my way (somewhat reluctantly) to the 208, I was suddenly struck by the fear that my bagfuls of shopping might not fit and would have to be crammed in crudely. I needn't have worried, though – while the Peugeot looks compact, it was roomier than I expected and all of my luggage (and new additions) slotted in seamlessly.

After a fairly long drive home (thank goodness for cruise control mixed with the Peugeot's Lane Keeping Technologies, which did most of the hard work for me) I arrived back in the city feeling refreshed and invigorated, as well as entirely more confident behind the wheel.

Was I skeptical that cutting edge technology and a 3D digital display would make me feel more comfortable in a car? Yes. But then I’d never driven a Peugeot 208 before.

New Peugeot 208 – from £17,575 on the road

• Content created pre-COVID. Car features described are standard or optional dependent on version.

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