Discover Britain's Best Horse-Friendly Destinations
Whether you're planning a scenic day hack or a weekend riding adventure, finding the perfect horse-friendly destination can transform your equestrian experience. We've researched and ranked the UK's top 10 locations that offer exceptional facilities, stunning bridleways, and unforgettable riding experiences for horses and riders of all abilities.
From the sweeping valleys of the Brecon Beacons to the sandy gallops of Studland Bay, each destination has been carefully evaluated based on bridleway access, stabling facilities, terrain variety, accessibility, and value for money.
Planning your route? Visit
bridleways.uk for comprehensive bridleway maps, route planning tools, and the latest information on horse-friendly trails across the United Kingdom.
1 The New Forest, Hampshire
Horse riding in the New Forest is one of the finest ways to experience the natural beauty of the National Park. With over 3,000 New Forest Ponies roaming the beautiful and varying landscapes, The New Forest is truly the perfect backdrop for a relaxing hack or carriage ride.
Take to the bridleways and tracks crossing our open heathland, pick up some of the coastal routes and soak up the atmosphere of this magical part of the country. Here we explore some of the ways you can enjoy the New Forest by saddleback, whether it's on a beginner's lesson, a hack through the open countryside or on a horse-led trailer ride.
🌳 Trail Network
Download the British Horse Society's 'New Forest Drive Route' for self-guided hacks. Ride New Forest offers guided hacks on a variety of routes with excellent local knowledge.
🏠 Accommodation & Stabling
Wilf's Cabin (Burley), Burgate Manor Farm (Fordingbridge), Hackney Park (Sway), and Upper Kingston Farm Cottages (Ringwood) all offer stabling and grazing.
🗺️ Getting There
Easily accessed from the M27. The 9½ mile route via Fritham requires a Forestry Commission key for inclosures. Pick up an Ordnance Survey map to explore the wide range of bridleways.
Find Out More About The New Forest
2 Escrick Park Estate, Yorkshire
⭐ Best Value Country Ride - Day passes for £26.50 give you unlimited hours to explore 6.5 miles of parkland and over 20 miles of extended hacking routes.
Come and ride in our open parkland and secluded woodland. The 6.5 mile loop takes approximately 1.5 hours to 2 hours to complete, but you get all day to explore with your ticket.
🛤️ Trail & Hacking Access
Two courses available: the cross country route (circular 6.5 miles) and extended hacking routes covering over 20 miles in total. Obstacles vary from simple logs to solid 1m uprights - all optional.
🚗 On-Site Facilities
Ample horsebox parking with toilet facilities. Day passes are for the whole day, so you can ride the course more than once. Good grass areas for tethering.
💷 Price
£26.50 for unlimited hours from your booking time. Choose your anticipated arrival slot when booking.
Find Out More About Escrick Park
3 Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
⭐ Best Beach Location: Studland Bay - Four miles of stunning sandy beach perfect for memorable gallops and paddling with your horse. Remember you will need a permit.
The Isle of Purbeck, particularly Studland Bay, represents the pinnacle of beach riding in the UK. This Dorset gem combines breathtaking coastal scenery with safe, accessible riding for all abilities.
🏖️ Beach Riding
Four miles of pristine sandy beach offering safe galloping opportunities and the chance to paddle with your horse in the sea - a truly unforgettable experience. Permit required.
🌄 Heathland Trails
Extensive heathland behind the beach provides additional bridleways with lovely views and varied terrain for a complete riding experience.
🎠 Studland Trekking Centre
Professional guided rides across beach, headland, and forest. Unique "horse B'n'B" option allows you to bring your own horse with access to a stable and a grass paddock.
Location Benefits
- Excellent access via A35 from across the South West
- Close to major south-west transport hubs like Bournemouth or Poole
- Scenic, safe beach rides suitable for all skill levels
Find Out More About Studland Bay
4 Alford, Lincolnshire
Field Farm in Alford delivers the rare combination of beach access and professional equestrian facilities, making it ideal for riders seeking a bit of both in their holiday experience.
🏖️ Beach Proximity
Sandy beach 6 miles away provides easy access for exhilarating beach hacks and coastal rides without lengthy travel.
🏇 Training Facilities
Indoor and outdoor schools, full cross-country course, professional stabling, and comprehensive tack facilities on-site.
🏕️ Accommodation Range
Options from budget camping to luxury homes, ensuring options across all budgets.
Riding Versatility
- Plenty of off-road fields for hacking
- Suitable terrain for varied riding abilities
- Reasonably accessible from Midlands and Northern England
- Excellent value for money across accommodation options
Find Out More About Field Farm
5 Newbold Verdon Equestrian Centre, Leicestershire
⭐ Best Arena Facilities - Purpose-built competition and training centre with indoor arena (72m x 40m), covered arena, outdoor arena, cross country course, and off-road farm rides.
Newbold Verdon Equestrian Centre (NVEC) is a purpose-built competition and training centre located in Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire. It offers a wide range of facilities and services for both riders and horses, making it a popular destination for equestrian enthusiasts.
🏟️ Arena Facilities
Indoor: 72m x 40m fully lit with combi-ride wax track surface, judges' boxes, and viewing galleries
Covered: 20x60m arena with porch area
Outdoor: 60x40m Andrew Bowen surface, fully floodlit
🏇 Cross Country & Rides
Cross Country Course: Grass course with jumps ranging from 30cm to 1m, including water complex, steps, skinnies and ditches. £20 for an hour (up to 6 riders)
Off Road Farm Ride: £10.50 for an hour (6 horses at a time)
🏪 Additional Facilities
Livery yard, on-site café (Dawn's Delights), on-site shop (Apollo Saddlery), hosts British Dressage, British Showjumping, Arena Eventing, Clinics, and day/multi-day camps.
Find Out More About Newbold Verdon
6 Langham Estate, Essex
We offer a range of equestrian activities including an all-weather gallop, private hacking trails and fully equipped grass arena. All set within the stunning surroundings of Dedham Vale, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
🌲 Extensive Network
All within the safety and tranquillity of our 500-acre estate.
🚗 Accessibility
Plenty of parking with easy access for all horseboxes.
💷 Price
£10 per horse for hacking, £20 per horse for the gallops, £10 per horse for the All-Weather Arena.
Find Out More About Langham Estate
7 Holme-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
The pretty little village of Holme-next-the-Sea is on the stunning Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
🏖️ Beach Access
Holme beach offers flat, safe beach riding ideal for all confidence levels. Holme beach is one of those Norfolk beaches that very few people know about - even in high season, it's pretty much empty.
🏠 Local Accommodation
Home Farm Stables: A charming and unique holiday destination in the North Norfolk Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with access to the property's equine facilities.
🌊 Coastal Trails
Beautiful rural trails around the Norfolk coastline complement the beach riding for variety and exploration.
Practical Information
- Access via A148 within Norfolk
- Reasonable pricing for a premium beach location
- Flat, safe terrain perfect for mixed ability groups
Find Out More About Holme-next-the-Sea
8 Ludlow, Shropshire
Why Top Pick: Central Shropshire location provides exceptional miles of off-road country riding through some of England's most beautiful landscapes.
Ludlow and the surrounding Shropshire Hills offer serious riders extensive bridleway networks and quiet green lanes, with immediate access to spectacular off-road routes.
🛤️ Extensive Bridleways
Immediate access to Shropshire Hills bridle networks and quiet green lanes. Exceptional off-road country riding through Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge.
🏡 BYOH Friendly
Dedicated holiday livery and loose boxes available on-site. Many nearby BYOH cottages include paddock grazing as standard.
🗺️ Guided Options
Local liveries and independent guides offer guided hacks and detailed route planning services for exploring the area.
Terrain & Access
- Varied terrain from gentle valley tracks to hill rides
- Excellent for mixed ability groups with appropriate route selection
- Good road access from West Midlands
- Straightforward for towing horseboxes
- Wide accommodation range with good value compared to southern England
Find Out More About Ludlow Riding
9 Craven, North Yorkshire
Why Top Pick: Exceptional off-road network perfect for autumn hacking, plus 600 acres of private farm rides with marked routes and cross-country facilities.
The Craven district in the Yorkshire Dales offers an extraordinary combination of private estate riding and access to some of England's finest bridleway networks.
🏇 Private Estate Riding
Craven Country Ride: 600 acres of farm rides with marked routes, water complexes, and cross-country practice fields. Occasional eventing training available.
🌄 Dales Bridleways
Bridleways across 0.1 mile from CCR with mostly soft tracks.
🏠 Accommodation
Several holiday cottages with attached stables (including Stables End and Pot Haw Farm) plus farms offering quality grazing.
Tours & Accessibility
- Routes from gentle valley hacks to demanding dales ridges
- Flexible for mixed ability groups
- Good road access from M62/A1 corridors
- Varied pricing with good mid-range and camping options
Find Out More About Craven Country Ride
10 Clophill, Bedfordshire
Clophill offers the perfect balance of accessibility and rural riding, making it ideal for riders from London and the Home Counties seeking a quick escape to countryside bridleways.
🗺️ Greensand Country
Horse riding is a fun way to explore the landscape, and the sandy soil of Greensand Country makes it the perfect place for hacking along greenways and bridleways - many dry and mud-free even in winter. Choose from 6 highlight routes. Routes require a permit.
🌲 Rushmere Country Park
Horse riders are welcome at Rushmere Country Park and Aspley Woods. Access Rushmere on horseback along the public bridleway from Great Brickhill free of charge, but riding trails requires a Greensand Horseriding Pass.
Find Out More About Greensand Country
Start planning your own equestrian adventure
Each of these destinations offers unique experiences, from beach gallops to mountain ridge rides, professional training facilities to wild forest trails. Whether you're seeking a challenging riding holiday or a relaxed countryside escape with your horse, the UK's diverse landscapes provide endless opportunities.
Before you set off, make sure to check local bridleway access, book stabling in advance, and verify any permit requirements for beach riding. Many locations offer bring-your-own-horse (BYOH) facilities, while others provide guided tours with horses included.
Essential Route Planning: Visit
bridleways.uk for up-to-date bridleway maps, access information, and comprehensive route planning tools to make your equestrian trip safe and enjoyable.
