Modern cars have sapped all the fun out of driving. That’s what I concluded from a weekend spent cruising around West Sussex in an original 1959 Austin Healey Frog Eye Sprite.

With just a few knobs and switches to perform the most basic of controls – and certainly no CD player or satnav to distract you – there is nothing but the thrill of driving such a beautifully crafted machine to enjoy.

The Frog Eye – or “Froggy”, as she is affectionately known – takes her name from the headlights, which peer out from the gleaming red bonnet.

Despite the car’s racing past, the real joy is in pootling along country lanes and taking time to admire the views that normally flash by in a blur of green.

And there is much to admire in West Sussex. Based at The Goodwood Hotel, just north of Chichester, you are in easy reach of the beautiful beaches of The Witterings and the rise and fall of the South Downs for windswept walks galore.

We were taking advantage of The Goodwood Hotel’s Classic Car Breaks, which include hire of a classic car plus a night’s stay at the hotel.

Set at the heart of the 12,000-acre Goodwood Estate, The Goodwood Hotel is the embodiment of British sophistication. Our room was furnished with an enormous white bed piled high with freshly plumped cushions and caramel-coloured throws. The aeroplane statuette on the desk was a subtle nod to the estate’s sporting heritage (Goodwood plays host to the world-renowned Festival Of Speed and even has its own aerodrome).

Once checked in, our first stop was vintage car hire specialists Vanilla Classics in nearby Barnham to swap our little Clio for the even smaller Frog Eye Sprite.

Every effort has gone into making the experience special – from the 1950s jukebox playing hits of the era in the showroom to the obvious pride mechanic Jax has for the vehicles.

A booklet containing detailed route maps is provided but we headed north, happy to follow the road wherever it took us.

Surrey was the answer. A rumbling tum signalled time for lunch so we pulled up at a country pub in the first chocolate-box village that took our fancy.

A short walk – or drive (let’s face it, when you’re driving a car like Froggy, there’s no journey too small) – up the road from The Goodwood Hotel lies the Cass Sculpture Foundation.

Set among 26 acres of woodland and park, the arts charity is home to an ever-changing display of 80 sculptures – including works by Antony Gormley and Eduardo Paolozzi.

Closer still is the Goodwood Farm Shop, which stocks cheeses, meat and ale from the Goodwood Home Farm, the largest lowland organic farm in the UK.

After a day spent behind the wheel we were keen to check out the hotel’s Health Club, home to a gym, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room – with free newspapers and loungers for those who want to catch up on the day’s happenings in decadent style.

Pampering over, we headed to the hotel’s Richmond Arms Restaurant for dinner.

The restaurant sources many of its ingredients from the Goodwood Farm and focuses on seasonal dishes with a contemporary twist.

You know the produce is fresh when you see staff popping out to the herb garden to snip some parsley for a garnish that appears on your plate moments later.

The cheese soufflé, served with apple, dandelion and caramelised walnuts, came highly recommended – and with good reason. The lightness of the soufflé was perfectly complemented by the sweet and fragrant flavours of the accompaniments.

For post-dinner drinks, the Richmond Arms bar, set in the former 17th-century coaching inn, is mere steps away. With comfy sofas, the original fireplace and tartan features, the bar must really come into its own in winter – the perfect cosy hideaway for a whisky nightcap.

The following day we had a few more hours with Froggy so we sailed down to West Wittering for a seaside stroll before it was time to hand back the keys.

Stepping back into a modern vehicle felt alien – and soulless.

Our tryst with Froggy may have been fleeting but it was an experience to never forget.

  • The Goodwood Hotel’s Classic Car Breaks start from £198, including overnight accommodation and full English breakfast for two people, plus the hire of a classic car for the day. To book, call 01243 775537 quoting “Classic Car Breaks” or email reservations@goodwood.com
  • Classic car hire with Vanilla Classics starts from £99. For more information, call 01243 545725 or visit www.vanillaclassics.com