Remembering the time when Top Gear came to Wiltshire

Watched by millions of people both in the UK and abroad the episode featured presenters Paddy McGuiness, Chris Harris and Andrew Flintoff driving around in classic sports cars in a bid to find out what was the best vehicle for a respectable middle-aged gentleman.

With this in mind, let’s take a trip down memory and find out what happened when Top Gear came to Wiltshire.

The presenters were each given £8000 to purchase their cars.

Paddy picked a fake Ferrari F355, Chris chose a Vauxhall Monaro and Freddie purchased a TVR Chimaera.

They met at Castle Combe racing circuit near Chippenham where their cars were put to the test.

The trio then raced against teenagers in Citroen Saxos from the Junior Saloon Car Championships.

McGuinness and Flintoff were each overtaken by six Saxos, while semi-professional racing driver Harris managed to keep the chasing pack at bay.

After this, the presenters drove through the Vale of the White Horse at sunset, before arriving at MoD Lyneham for the next challenge.

The challenge was to see which car could complete the 'gymkhana' course in the fastest possible time.

To add to the entertainment, the presenters had to wear a suit that simulated the effects of old age by weighing down their hands, chest and ankles.

After much spinning out and honking of horns between the three of them, Freddie won by completing the course in just over five minutes.

The final challenge was held at the Cotswold Water Park in an unusual triathlon at the Cotswold Water Park involving jet skis, pushbikes, and laps in their midlife crisis opportunity cars.

Despite each presenter hitting an unexpected setback, it was Freddie Flintoff that came out on top.

The episode is available on the BBC iPlayer.

It's not the county's online claim to motoring TV fame.

The Eboladrome, the test track used in Amazon's The Grand Tour, was based at a disused RAF airfield in Wroughton.