If enjoying the countryside on horseback is your idea of a perfect getaway, this one’s for you. Below we’ve picked out our top destinations for horse riding in the UK.
Saddle up! Seasoned rider or absolute beginner, there’s a riding getaway out there for you. Riding breaks are great fun for animal-loving folk, and even families with very young children can get involved.
We’ve picked out 11 great bases for horse riding in the UK, all with riding centres within easy reach. These destinations have plenty of other attractions too, from ancient hilltop castles and exciting cities to rolling hills and picturesque beaches – there are even a couple of locations TV fans might recognise. Whether you’re looking for beginner lessons with a riding school to learn the basics, or want to join some longer rides requiring more expertise, there’s something in the list below to suit. Some centres even allow you to bring your own trusty steed along.
When you’ve chosen where you’d like to ride, you’ll need to choose where to stay. We can’t think of anything better than a welcoming home to return to at the end of a long day trotting through the countryside – preferably with a tub to sink into, a log fire and a hot, home-cooked meal (or quick jaunt to the local pub if you’re too weary). There are lots of comfortable rural rentals in these areas, close to riding terrain and handy for those early starts when you just can’t wait to get back in the saddle.
From the Scottish Highlands to South West England, here are 11 destinations for epic horse riding holidays in the UK.
The New Forest’s unique terrain, a mix of heathland and forest inhabited by wild ponies and skittering rabbits, is a much-loved UK holiday spot. But even at popular times, you can still wander out and find a peaceful stretch of it for yourself. It’s also a wonderful place for riding.
Located on the northwestern edge of the national park is Arniss Equestrian, catering for all skill levels. Here you can saddle up and get straight onto those New Forest trails without taking your horse out into road traffic. Arniss offers horse riding lessons, hacks and special activities for children over the summer.
Southeast of Arniss there’s also Brockenhurst Riding Stables, another excellent New Forest choice giving direct access to the New Forest trails on scenic one or two-hour guided rides.
Arniss Equestrian
Location: Godskill nr Fordingbridge
Age: 4+
Skill level: All
Prices: From £35 for a private 30-minute lesson
www.arnissequestrian.co.uk
Brockenhurst Riding Stables
Location: Brockenhurst
Age: 2+
Skill level: All
Prices: Forest ride £37 per person for one hour
http://www.brockenhurstridingstables.co.uk/
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There’s a lot to see in West Sussex, from Arundel Castle to the beautiful South Downs National Park, which has over 1600 square kilometres of farmland and woodland scattered with quaint villages. It’s well worth an explore – particularly on horseback.
Chestnuts Riding School in Pyecombe has indoor riding facilities and its own private bridle path leading out into the spectacular South Downs. You can choose from long and short hacks, pony rides and treks.
Chestnuts Riding School
Location: Pyecombe
Age: 4+
Skill level: All
Prices: From £35 per child + £40 per adult for a private 30-minute lesson
http://www.chestnutsridingschool.co.uk
Find a riding rental in West Sussex
East Sussex is blessed with some lovely seaside hubs – check out the boating lakes of Eastbourne, the museums and nightlife of buzzing Brighton, and the beach at Camber Sands which is perfect for kite-flying and wind surfing. There’s also the High Weald Area of Natural Beauty, combining wooded hills, ancient roads and farmsteads – a landscape that’s begging to be discovered on a riding holiday.
At Ashdown Forest Riding Centre, you can take lessons in the outdoor arena or discover acre upon acre of heathland on an escorted trek. The centre also runs rides to special destinations, such as the beach at Camber Sands, and there are kids’ pony days twice a week over the summer holidays.
Ashdown Forest Riding Centre
Location: Crowborough
Age: 5+
Skill level: All
Prices: From £30 for a private 30-minute lesson
http://www.ashdownforestriding.co.uk/
Devon’s got the pretty university city of Exeter, the beach resort of Torquay, and gorgeous stretches of coastline to the north and south. It’s also home to Dartmoor National Park, where semi-wild ponies roam over a rugged landscape of rock, wetland and forest – and it’s horse riding heaven.
Adventure Clydesdale, based in Dartmeet, has a series of trail-riding options around Dartmoor on stunning Clydesdale horses, a larger breed historically used for farming. You’ll need to have some riding experience to participate.
Adventure Clydesdale
Location: Dartmeet
Age: 12+ pony club trained or equivalent
Skill level: Novice to experienced (not beginners)
Prices: Two-hour ‘heritage ride’ on Dartmoor £70
http://www.adventureclydesdale.com
Find a home from home in Devon
Postcard-pretty Berwick-Upon-Tweed, the Holy Island (also known as Lindisfarne) with its castle and ruined medieval priory, and the UNESCO-rated Hadrian’s Wall are just a few of the attractions on offer in Northumberland, another rider-friendly holiday destination.
At Kimmerston Riding Centre there are 30 horses and ponies waiting to take you out through the heather to appreciate the glorious views of the Cheviot Hills. There are also supervised rides along the coast, with more challenging versions available for advanced riders. You can even purchase antique riding gear and apparel here.
Kimmerston Riding Centre
Location: Wooler
Age: 5+
Skill level: All
Prices: From £20 per child + £25 per adult for a one-hour ride
http://www.kimmerston.com/
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Here’s another beautiful county with plenty to see and do. The National Botanic Garden of Wales makes a lovely day out, with its tropical butterfly house and walled garden. Then there’s the striking Carreg Cennen Castle, with its impressive elevated position in the Brecon Beacons, and the WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre, where you can hand feed the resident birds.
In Pendine, the Marros Riding Centre has over 40 horses and ponies and 140 acres to discover. You can book lessons and rides through private woodland and experienced riders can sign up for a guided beach ride.
Marros Riding Centre
Location: Pendine
Age: All
Skill level: All
Prices: From £27 for a private 30-minute lesson
http://www.marros-farm.co.uk/
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Powys makes a great base for exploring the mid-Wales countryside and the magnificent Brecon Beacons National Park at its southern reaches. You can tackle the park on horseback, but you can also abseil, rock climb and bike your way around it.
To the north in Llanidloes, the Bradnant Equestrian Centre has a 25-acre countryside plot, and a range of ponies and horses. There’s a large indoor arena and a field arena for practising jumps, plus free tea and coffee for visitors in the lounge.
Bradnant Equestrian Centre
Location: Llanidloes
Age: All
Skill level: All
Prices: From £20 for a private 30-minute lesson
http://www.bradnant.com/
Find somewhere to stay in Powys
The charming city of Norwich, the famous waterways of the Broads National Park, the stunning north Norfolk coast and the seaside resort of Great Yarmouth. With scenery like this, it’s no wonder this place is favoured by horsey folk.
Seek out the Eden Meadows Riding Centre near Thetford Forest, set in a 30-acre site inhabited by 25 horses and ponies. Riding lessons of all levels are held in the floodlit indoor arena. More experienced riders can go hacking around the quiet surrounding lanes, and there’s a longer two-hour hack into Thetford Forest itself.
Eden Meadows Riding Centre
Location: Rocklands, Nr. Attleborough
Age: 5+
Skill level: All
Prices: From £32.50 for a private 30-minute lesson
http://www.eden-meadows.co.uk/
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This is a lovely area to visit any time of year, with the beautiful university buildings and museums of Cambridge, peaceful rural villages and the Fens, famous for wildlife, winding waterways and cycle paths.
On the edge of Nene Park in Peterborough, a popular place for dog walking, duck feeding and bird watching, is Lynch Farm Riding. This is a good facility for people returning to riding after a break, but beginners are also welcome. There are children’s activity days over the school holidays, multi-day riding courses and treks through Nene Park for the more experienced.
Lynch Farm Riding
Location: Peterborough
Age: 4+
Skill level: All
Prices: From £14 per child + £33 per adult for a private 30-minute lesson
https://www.lynchfarmriding.co.uk/
Pick a holiday home here and you’ll be truly bowled over by the spectacular Highland scenery, made up of mountain, forest and heather-covered hillsides crowned with the occasional curious stag. This is a stunning corner of the UK for a riding getaway.
Highland Horse Fun is located near the village of Newtonmore, which you may recognise from the Monarch of the Glen TV series. The centre has an indoor training arena, large outdoor menage and plenty of jumping equipment, and staff offer everything from one-off lessons to trail-riding experiences over several days.
Highland Horse Fun
Location: Kingussie
Age: All
Skill level: All
Prices: From £45 for a 45-minute lesson
http://www.highlandhorsefun.com/
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Our last pick provides yet more dramatic landscapes, particularly along the north coast around the Giant’s Causeway. Game of Thrones fans will want to witness the ‘Dark Hedges’ for themselves – a line of crooked beech trees bordering the Bregagh Road up to Gracehill House in Ballymoney.
Just down the road from here is Sheans Horse Farm, a family-friendly farm and riding centre with access to fantastic off-road riding. There are guided treks for beginners and novices and hacks for experienced riders. There’s even a Game of Thrones package, starting with an exhilarating ride, and finishing in a GoT costumed photo at the Dark Hedges to remind you of your adventure.
Sheans Horse Farm
Location: Ballymoney
Age: All
Skill level: All
Prices: From £20 for a private 30-minute lesson
https://www.sheanshorsefarm.com/
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