Whether you want to ride your own horses or someone else’s the UK has some of the most spectacular hacking on offer! Below you will find some of our favourites:
Our top picks for those without their own horses -
Cheshire. Cheshire is one of the most picturesque counties in Britain; it is situated in North West England and has excellent rail and motorway connections making it incredibly easy to get to. Black and white 'Magpie' houses set in idyllic gardens typify the Cheshire countryside. Its green pasture lands and farms are renowned for the production of the famous crumbly white Cheshire cheese. In the heart of this beautiful county you will find an abundance of hacking opportunities including the Bishop Bennett Way, Delamere Loop, Delamere Forest, Whitegate Way, Marbury and Tatton Park. We recommend riding with the following BHS approved stables (click here).
The Lake District. The Lake District is located in the North West of England and is mainly famous for its lakes, forests and mountains (or fells). Here you will stay in a traditional Lakeside house overlooking Winster and Lyth valley. You will also have the opportunity to ride over 2500 acres of private estate land which comprises of miles of secluded woodland tracks. Bring the whole family, riders and non-riders are welcome, bring your bike and dog too if you like!
North Wales. Ride on the beach. With the stunning Snowdonia mountain range as a backdrop, the North Wales coastline offers the perfect location for beach riding. The riding offers exhilarating views and can include a fast beach ride for the more experienced riders. There are horses and ponies to suit all ages and standards; lessons are offered with qualified instructors.
Our top picks for those with their own horses –
Shropshire. Conveniently located in the centre of England, Shropshire is within a few hours drive of many of the major cities and has easy access from the M6, M5 and M54 motorways. The county's rural landscape provides excellent riding through fields, woodland and along the River Severn. You can trace the footsteps of the famous Shropshire horseman Jack Mytton as you ride along his bridleway The Jack Mytton Way. Click here for our recommended accommodation and stables.
Sherwood Forest. Visit Nottinghamshire for a short break and explore the famous home of Robin Hood and Maid Marian on horseback. Set close to the archaeological beauty spot of Creswell Crags, the yard itself, including the stables, date back to 1610. From here you can hack directly into Sherwood Forest, with rides ranging from half hour hacks to three and four hour forest trail rides all with limited to no road work. Click here for our recommended accommodation and stables.
North Devon, Come and enjoy the luxury of being able to ride freely around 400 beautiful acres, with hardly a gate to open. This yard located close to Barnstaple in North Devon and benefits from a glorious mixture of open pasture, gentle hills, farm tracks, old carriage drives, woodland paths, and quiet country lanes for road work. There are lakes and hills all around and there is a large all-weather arena which is free to all liveries. The yard is easily accessible to the famous Saunton Sands - a 3 mile stretch of sandy beach. You can also ride in the unique National Park of Exmoor, amongst the Exmoor ponies and their foals, and see the magnificent red deer too.
27/10/2016
sarahcaplan