When it comes to getting off road and speeding over all kinds of terrain, the best piece of advice we can give you is this - keep it simple. If you’ve got a new car to use on the roads, we’re sure you don’t want to get mud on the flashy paintwork and you don’t want to get it stuck in a ditch, but most importantly, you and you don’t want the comforts, bolt-ons and accessories to weigh you down. Who needs a windscreen when you’re wearing a helmet with a visor? What’s the point in mats and carpets if they’re going to get dirty? And you can forget cup holders when you’re bouncing over mounds and around corners! The vehicle of choice when you’re thrashing around the wilderness is a buggy, an all terrain vehicle that comprises an engine, 4 wheels and not much else. And where better to enjoy this than in the most rugged county in southern England?

There are many different names for these machines - rage buggies, mud, off road karts to name a few - but what’s certain is that they’re perfect for dealing with the varied landscape of Devon. Hills and valleys, rocks and rivers, woodland, grassland, moor and everything in between, just put your foot down, grip the steering wheel and hope for the best! A ride here is sure to leave you covered in mud, but smiling from ear to ear.

Where are the best places to go off-road buggying in Devon?

• Dawlish: Between the inhospitable uplands of Dartmoor and the spectacular Jurassic Coast, there’s an off-road centre in Dawlish with some great circuits, and some all terrain machines to match. When you get into the driving seat of a buggy at this site, you’ll start with a little practice on a simple loop, before having the chance to open up the throttle on a mud track. Don’t focus too much on speed, because the corners come one after the other here, and you don’t want to lose your traction on the slippery surface! But once you get a bit more familiar with it, you can start to try some sliding, skidding and drifting around one of 3 full length off road kart tracks. Aside from the racing circuits, there’s also 12 miles of trails here which are used for quad bike trekking.

• Ottery St Mary: There’s another excellent all terrain vehicle facility on the outskirts of Exeter, the county town. In Ottery St Mary, there is a Georgian Manor house is the focal point of Escort Park, 220 acres of mixed parkland, where meadows give way to woodland, and slopes lead to viewpoints that survey the estate. Within the grounds of this civilised mansion, there’s a wild way to let off some steam. 750 metres of track, specially designed with buggies in mind, wind their way around the park. The vehicles that you can take for a spin around the circuit are powered by 270cc Honda engines that really pack a punch, and to enhance the experience even more, there’s a computerised timing system and big screens that show the action to spectators live. Do you have the skill and bravery to take the podium position? If you do, a bottle of bubbly is waiting for you! And if this activity isn’t enough for you, Escot Park boasts a whole range of open air adventures besides, including other off-road activities and completely different pursuits.

What are the options for organising a ride?

- There are a couple of different kinds of buggy to choose from on Devon. First of all you have the classic design, like a go kart with bigger wheels and an enclosed roll cage. These machines are controlled with foot pedals and a steering wheel. For something a bit more radical, you can try one with no pedals, and no steering wheel! That doesn’t mean that it’s uncontrollable, in fact it has two throttles which you operate with your hands. Each one drives one of the back wheels! It takes a moment to get the hang of, but you can have a huge amount of fun with one of these bonkers vehicles.

- The full experience lasts between 1 hour and 90 minutes. Depending on your choice, and how many people there are in your group, you should spend 20-30 minutes at the wheel of the off road kart. Why not make half a day or a full day of it by combining buggy racing with quad biking, or a completely different activity, to take advantage of your time. Options include target sports like clay pigeon shooting or archery, while there are also adventures like assault courses on offer.

Requirements to do this activity

You don’t need to have passed your driving test, or even taken any lessons, to get your hands on the wheel of a dirt buggy. There is a minimum age however, of 15 to 16 years old. But if the kart doesn’t have a steering wheel, younger petrol heads can go for a ride. We’re talking about the dual throttle machines, which have 2 side-by-side seats, one of which can be occupied by a child as young as 12 years old.

What do you need to bring to an off road centre?

You will get muddy! Whether that’s a threat or a promise depends on your attitude, whatever the case, there are a couple of things that you should bring with you in order to avoid an uncomfortable journey home. The first things that you should make sure you’ve got are long trousers and long sleeves, you won’t be allowed to drive without these. After that, a good pair of well fitting trainers or walking boots for your feet. If it’s been raining recently, we recommend a pair of waterproof trousers and a waterproof jacket, or at least a change of clothes to put on afterwards. You’ll also need a balaclava to go under the helmet which you’ll be given on arrival. Don’t worry if you don’t have your own, you can buy one on site for a small fee.

Rev up the engine and churn up the mud, the adventure is waiting for you here!