THE notion that Britain's off-roaders are largely used to transport singular children to suburban schools has become one of the more irritating clichés of the modern driving age.

While there is some truth to it, it's good to see the antidote arrive in the Cheshire countryside, where the chance now beckons for all to enjoy the unique thrill of genuine off-roading experience.

Although by no means a man of adventure - I shirk at the thought of time spent on big dippers and waltzers - I have spent time lost to the dipping, twisting, bumping, rolling angles of an off-road track.

Once, on the side of a Rossendale incline, I found myself tilting sideways with a pool of mud slowly rising up my right hand window.

Somehow, the Land Rover seemed to respond and managed to pull me free, despite my obvious ineptitude at the wheel.

However, six times I returned to Rossendale, and slowly I started to gain a sense of competence.

That wasn't why I went, though. To put it bluntlyit was a blast!

Off-roading is never short on fun, whether you are dipping into a languid pool or pulling freely over a muddy brow.

The magic lies in the balance between the improving confidence of the driver and the technology under his/her control.

Land Rovers, I discovered on that Rossendale slope, are unusually intelligent vehicles.

Put your trust in them and they will pull you through anything.

Recent years have seen a steady boom in controlled off-roading. This is, in no small way, largely a result of the Land Rover Experience.

Ten such centres have opened across the UK, bringing high-level off-roading within reach of every budget and every level of driver skill.

However, as mentioned, this is no longer confined to the steep slopes of Gwynedd, or even Rossendale. Cheshire is a country bearing all the attributes of perfect off-roading terrain.

Since opening at the end of January, the Land Rover Experience has been enjoyed within the estate of the stunning Peckforton Castle, bringing a new dimension to a day out in the Cheshire countryside.

Peckforton is dramatic from first sight.

Standing atop a wooded hillside, rising like a row of dark, broken teeth above the Cheshire plain, it immediately begs investigation.

As you edge closer, it becomes apparent that this is in fact an architecturally magnificent and true representation of a medieval castle.

The only one of its kind in the country and a venue for weddings and special occasions.

Governed by an office based within the castle, the new Land Rover Experience centre sprawls across 50 lush acres of the estate, providing all manner of terrain from tree-lined mud layered tracks to steeply rising hillocks and troughs.

In total, 10 miles of track weaves its way through glorious countryside and, on numerous occasions, enclosed tracks will open to expansive views.

Not, however, that you will be spending too much time admiring them, but nice to see them zipping past the window or lowering on to your line of vision as you traverse a peak (some of the views are impossible to ignore, however, including the visions of both Peckforton and Beeston castles as well as Stannah Nab, which rises to a height of 200ft).

As an added bonus, the site includes the haunted bridge, built in the 1850s to take carriages from the castle to the gatehouse at Peckforton Gap, several miles away. At the heart of the course lies the old sandstone quarry, used to extract sandstone to build the castle.

Once you have driven through the gorge entrance, the quarry itself opens to reveal retained features such as a blast hole used for refuge when the sandstone was being blasted.

Within this fascinating area you will discover some of the more challenging terrain.

If, like me, you tend to fight shy of most sporting organisations, anticipating an unwelcoming and cliquish circle of experts' intent on ridiculing your beginner status, fear not.

In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

The basic premise of the Land Rover Experience is to encourage as many people as possible to simply get involved and enjoy a sport that, given the technology of the modern vehicles, does not favour athletic physique or more naturally sport-minded people.

Drivers of all levels are welcome, from tentative first-timers to experienced 4x4 users searching to become more proficient in driving through difficult terrain, the chance to expand their skillsand simply enjoy the day out.

As Land Rover manager David Mitchell explained: "The experience centre offers drivers an enjoyable opportunity to learn how to negotiate and overcome any obstacle they are likely to encounter, as well as a few they won't.

"Whether you just want to experience the thrill of getting wheel deep in water and mud or you are a professional driver that requires off-road training for your job, we have had courses and the vehicles to meet your requirements."

David, who has 35 years of Land Rover driving experience, heads a team of 10 instructors at Peckforton, many of whom were previously based at Land Rover's centre in Snowdonia.

One of the main pleasures of the centre is the chance to experience driving contemporary vehicles such as Defender, Discovery 3, Freelander 2, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

The centre also adheres to Land Rover's Fragile Earth policy which incorporates an off-road code for responsible driving and actively encourages the use of environmentally conscious practices and is committed to preserving the environment for future generations.

The skill levels are neatly set into a series of courses.

The introductory experience is set within a half day and, while the emphasis is firmly placed on enjoyment, will leave you with a taste for adventure.

The intention is to give you the Land Rover bug.

A level one experience is a one-day course which will introduce you to steep inclines, deep water, rutted track, ditches and region specific' terrain such as sand of snow.

At level two you will learn advanced techniques and seemingly impassable terrain. Not for the faint-hearted and only open to those who have completed level one.

At the highest level, there are even night drives which, given no peripheral vision, provides an evening that is never less than exhilarating.

Horses for courses indeed, with myself preferring not to venture beyond the most basic stages. I like to retain an element of sanity and, as such, feel that I should remain within the gentle confines of level one.

For further information or to book a course, contact Land Rover Experience (Cheshire) on 0870 264 4461.