Win a £1,000 gift certificate from Relais & Châteaux
The clue
I didn’t want to hand over control of the day to my friend. But it’s his car and he’s driving. So, instead, I’m watching him like a hawk.
Why? Because we’re close to an Iron Age hillfort made fascinating by a 20th-century excavation. Friend has said that we’ll go. But he’s not wild about archaeology, and as we leave a nature conservancy he suggests that we head first to a town; its guildhall is three and a half miles east of us.
The idea doesn’t exactly make my heart sing. “I want to know for sure: are we going to the hillfort or not?” I ask. Friend says yes, but points out that a museum in the town is home to key finds from the dig. “Shouldn’t you prep yourself there first?” he asks. “Besides, the fort is less than six miles southwest of it.”
He adds that the town was the birthplace of a famous band, as well as being the HQ of a national body. “We can see the HQ and then trog over to the museum,” he says.
Now I am excited and don’t mind when he says that he needs fuel. He thinks that there’s a garage at an aerodrome and circuit two miles west of the conservancy.
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“I’ll ask for help,” he tells me when we arrive. Then I catch sight of several supercars.
Friend heads straight for them. “Come back here before I make you!” I growl. “You and whose army?” Friend retorts.
Then he climbs into a Lamborghini and drives off on what is clearly a prebooked supercar experience. To quote a former leader of the national body: he’s humbugged me.
The questions
1. What is the name of the Iron Age hillfort?
2. What is the name of the town?
The prize
The winner will receive a £1,000 gift certificate from Relais & Châteaux, the association founded in 1954 that gathers together many of the world’s most charming and distinctive hotels and restaurants. It can be spent at any Relais & Châteaux property. These include Cliveden, Chewton Glen, Lucknam Park and Glenapp Castle in the UK; among the many luxurious overseas properties are the Château de la Gaude in Aix en Provence and Palazzo Ripetta in Rome — in all there are 580 to choose from. The certificate, which cannot be exchanged for cash, will be valid for a stay ending before November 24, 2025.
This Christmas Relais & Châteaux is also offering gift boxes alongside its certificates, giving recipients the chance to enjoy an experience such as a night at the Yeatman in Porto or dinner at Thornbury Castle near Bristol. For details see relaischateaux.com.
How to enter
Can’t see the competition form? Answer the questions and complete the entry form at thetimes.co.uk/travel/where-was-i by the end of Thursday, November 23. One entry per person. Full terms and conditions apply, and your information will be used in accordance with our privacy policy at newsprivacy.co.uk.
Last week’s prize
The answers are Writtle and Hylands Estate. Philip Brown from West Sussex wins a luxury break in London worth £1,518 at the Beaumont in Mayfair.
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