The Groningen Manors Route – Classic Car Hire in Groningen for Group Outings and Rallies
A Journey Past Historic Estates in Classic Style
Discover the richness of the north of the Netherlands as it was meant to be experienced: from behind the wheel of a rumbling classic car, with the wind in your hair and history as your compass. At Tonny's Classic Drive, you can hire a classic car in Groningen for a unique driving route, group outing, or rally. Some routes you simply drive, others you truly experience. The Groningen Manors Route belongs to the latter category. Spanning 101.5 kilometres, this journey takes you through a landscape shaped by centuries of rich agricultural history, past imposing manor houses that testify to noble power, through picturesque villages where time seems to stand still, and to the edge of the land – where the Wadden Sea defines the horizon. This is no ordinary drive. This is a journey through five centuries of history, in a vehicle that is itself a piece of heritage. After all, what suits the grandeur of an 18th-century manor better than the timeless design of a Citroën DS? And what harmonises better with the vastness of the clay landscape than the airy feeling of a VW Beetle Cabriolet?
Classic Driving Route Past Groningen's Historic Manors
This route takes you through the historical heart of the Groningen Ommelanden, a region that experienced unprecedented prosperity from roughly 1600 to 1800 thanks to its fertile clay soils. This wealth was no coincidence. It was the result of centuries of hard work, intelligent water management, and technical innovation. As early as the Middle Ages, Cistercian monks from the Abbey of Aduard laid the foundations by draining marshlands, building dikes, and making the land fertile. The result? A landscape of endless fields, criss-crossed by canals and waterways, dominated by imposing borgen – fortified country estates of noble families who derived their wealth from the land. These landowners lived in luxury, surrounded by ornamental gardens, art collections, and staff, while the hard labour in the fields around them formed the basis of their fortune. These contrasts – between power and labour, elegance and simplicity – make the history of this region so fascinating. And those contrasts are exactly what you experience along this route.
The Groningen Manors Route at a Glance
Starting point: Groningerweg 40, Groningen (city)
Distance: 101.5 kilometres
Duration: 5–6 hours (including stops)
End point: Groningerweg 40, Groningen
Highlights:
Abbey of Aduard (11 km)
Where it all began: Cistercian monks who laid the foundation for later agricultural prosperity
with their knowledge of water management.
Borg Verhildersum (33 km)
The absolute highlight: a complete estate with museum, baroque gardens, workers’ houses,
and a blacksmith’s workshop. Here you see both aristocratic grandeur and the lives of the
people who did the real work.
Noordpolderzijl (57 km)
The smallest tidal harbour in the Netherlands, at the edge of the system. This is where goods
were shipped and water was controlled. The view over the Wadden Sea is overwhelming.
Menkemaborg, Uithuizen (68 km)
Another 18th-century manor, with remarkable woodcarvings, historic organs, and a beautiful
Dutch garden with maze.
Plus: picturesque mound villages, the open clay landscape, and plenty of opportunities along
the way for coffee, lunch, and photo stops.
→ Get the full route with all stops and stories
Drive the Past, Experience the Present
This route can be driven exclusively with our classic cars in Groningen. The route tells the story of wealth built on the land. Of landowners who made fortunes, of labourers who worked the fields, and of water management that made it all possible. The era of noble lords and grand estates has passed, but the stories remain. The buildings are still there. And the landscape – that wide, expansive Groninger landscape – is thankfully still there as well.
And now you can drive right through it, in a car as timeless as the history you are exploring. See you soon, on the road.
Where is Tonny's Classic Drive located in Groningen?
Based in Groningen, active in Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe
Groningerweg 40, 9738 AB Groningen
reserveren@tonnysclassicdrive.nl | +31 50 211 2459
Drive the Past, Create Timeless Memories.
Three Ways to Experience a Route
1. Group Outing or Corporate Event with Classic Cars: Stylish Team Building
For groups of 8–40 people
Your outing deserves more than a standard experience. The Groningen Manors Route in classic cars is team building that connects, surprises, and inspires. Ideal as a corporate outing, staff event, or group outing with classic cars.
The programme:
12:00: Welcome with coffee/tea and car instruction
13:00: Departure in convoy heading north
14:00: Lunch at Borg Verhildersum + guided tour
15:15: Continue route via Noordpolderzijl and Menkemaborg
18:00: Return to Groningerweg
Optional: BBQ on site or dinner at Moeke Vaatstra
Why it works:
Shared experiences create connection. Driving a classic car together, discovering special places, laughing about small challenges (finding the right gear!), and enjoying beautiful moments – those memories last.
Price: From €110 per person excl. VAT
→ I would like more information about staff outings with classic cars in Groningen
2. Classic Car Rallies in Groningen: Join the Club
For classic car enthusiasts and adventurers
From 1 May to 1 November, we organise a fixed rally every Saturday, where you hit the road together with fellow enthusiasts.
The Saturday Borgenroute Rally:
Start: 09:00 | Finish: approx. 14:00
Price: €95 per person | Children (6–17 years) €25 | Elderly €50 (67-)
Included: classic car, route book with rally challenges, guidance, and a closing gathering with
coffee/tea and treats
You are assigned to a car (5–12 cars total), receive rally challenges (“find this artwork”, “take this photo”), and drive at your own pace. Along the way there are fixed stopping points where the group comes together again. It’s not about winning, but about taking part – although that bottle of wine or box of Groninger cookies is, of course, a nice bonus.
Also ask about our:
- Wednesday afternoon Hogeland Route (€80 p.p.)
- Thursday Local Produce Route past farm shops (€95 p.p. excl. cooking workshop)
- Sunday Industrial Heritage Route (€115 p.p.)
→ I would like more information about classic car rallies in Groningen and registration
3. Hire a Classic Car Individually in the North of the Netherlands: Your Route, Your Pace
For couples, families, or solo drivers
Perhaps you prefer to experience the route entirely on your own. No group, no schedule. Just
you, your partner or friends, a classic car, and the open road.
Hire a car individually for a half day (4 hours), full day (8 hours), or an entire weekend. Choose from our fleet – from the iconic Citroën DS to the cheerful Fiat 500, from the sporty MG B Roadster to the authentic VW Beetle Cabriolet.
You receive:
- A carefully maintained classic car, fully fuelled
- An extensive route book with maps and background information
- Personal introduction and tips for the road
- 24/7 telephone support
Why hire individually?
Freedom. You decide when to stop, how long you stay, and what you do along the way. This option is also suitable for special occasions: a marriage proposal at sunset on the Wadden Sea dike, a birthday gift for a car enthusiast, or a stylish anniversary celebration.
Prices: Depending on car and duration. Please contact us for availability.
→ I would like more information about classic car hire in Groningen and our fleet.
Practical Information About Classic Car Hire
What should you bring?
- Valid driving licence
- Comfortable clothing (note: not all cars have air conditioning)
- Power bank (fully charged)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Camera for those Instagram moments
- A sense of adventure
What if it rains?
Groningen is beautiful in all weather. Rain adds a dramatic atmosphere to the landscape, and in a closed car you will hardly notice it.
Can children come along?
Absolutely! Children aged 6 and up are welcome on the rallies (at a reduced rate). For staff outings and individual hire, children of all ages are welcome (child seats available on request).
Do I need experience driving a classic car?
No! We provide a thorough instruction before departure. Within five minutes, you’ll feel comfortable behind the wheel.
What if something breaks down along the way?
Our cars are professionally maintained, so the chance of a breakdown is minimal. Should anything happen, we offer 24/7 telephone support and, if necessary, roadside assistance or a replacement vehicle.
