Horse riding in the UK: riding schools and best locations for riding

Ride into the sunset with our guide to horse riding in the UK, with our pick of the best riding schools, horse riding routes and places you can stay with your horse.

Best trails and beaches for horse riding in the UK

Bodmin Moor has long inspired writers and artists with its wild, untouched character, and riding out is one of the best ways to experience it for yourself. TM International treks near Liskeard will take you past burial cairns and Bronze Age stone circles, through abandoned copper and tin mine workings, and around prehistoric settlements. What’s more, the stables are only 20 minutes away from the notorious smugglers’ haunt at Jamaica Inn (made famous by Daphne Du Maurier’s novel) – though it is now a rather more hospitable pub, perfect for a post-ride lunch. The moor rides are not suitable for inexperienced riders, but TM International is happy to offer lessons to beginners until they are able to ride out safely. www.tminternational.co.uk

If you’re a confident rider who wants to try something a bit different, then this is the trip for you. Liberty Trails offers the opportunity to try your hand at Western riding on American Quarter Horses, without having to get on a plane to the States. Instead you can unleash your inner cowboy across the wild and rugged landscape of Dartmoor, with its heather-strewn high ground and secluded valleys that remain largely untouched by man. If you’re lucky, you may even get the chance to help round up some cattle. liberty-trails.com

Nestled in the Mendip Hills ‘Area of Outstanding National Beauty’ (AONB), Tynings not only has beautiful surroundings to ride in, but it also has the added benefit of a ‘No Road’ policy. All of the trails they use can be reached without setting a hoof on the public highway, so that even complete beginners can ride out safely. The Mendips bridleway network allows access to thousands of acres of forestry and moorland, with spectacular views across seven counties. Novices riders can sit back and enjoy the scenery or watch out for the herds of Exmoor ponies that have been brought in to graze the upland heath, while for more experienced riders there are plenty of open tracks for a good canter. www.tynings-trekking.co.uk

At 1518 feet above sea level, Flash is reputedly the highest village in England, which means that there are some pretty amazing views over the surrounding countryside. Northfield can cater for beginners and experienced riders alike, meaning everyone can enjoy beauty spots such as Three Shires Head, where a bridge over the river marks the point where the counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire meet. This area historically caused problems for the local constabulary as ‘hawkers’ travelling from fair to fair used to squat on the land at Flash, and engage in outlawed practices such as prize fighting and producing counterfeit money. When the police arrived to arrest them, the hawkers simply escaped over the border to the next county. These days Flash is a little more peaceful, but still worth exploring. www.northfieldfarm.co.uk

Located in the small coastal Cumbrian village of Silecroft, Murthwaite Green is just a short ride away from the beach: five miles of golden sand and shallow water that is the perfect place for a flat-out gallop. Even less experienced riders can experience a bit of speed if they wish, as Murthwaite will send out multiple ride escorts with mixed ability groups to allow everyone to ride at the pace that best suits them. You might want to take a change of clothes though – there’s nothing like a flat-out charge through the shallows to get you absolutely soaked. www.murthwaitegreen.co.uk

Kilnsey trails range far across the rolling hills and green valleys of the Yorkshire Dales, from the old lead mines at Grassington to Malham Tarn, where Charles Kingsley found the inspiration to write ‘The Water Babies.’ Their treks are kept to a walking pace and are therefore suitable for beginners – offering the chance to explore moorland, farmland and country lanes from the comfort of a saddle. For more experienced visitors, Kilnsey offers rides that cover more ground at a faster pace. For the really intrepid explorer there are also two-day trail rides with a night in local accommodation. www.kilnseyriding.com

If you’ve had your fill of spectacular views and would like to try something a bit different, then the Centre of Horseback Combat will be happy to oblige. There are a variety of courses on offer from trick riding to horse archery, as well as their acclaimed ‘rider confidence course’ for anyone who finds the sport a bit nerve-racking. The Horseback Archery course can cater for total beginners to both riding and archery, and if you catch the bug the team can provide advice on buying bows, arrows etc. The centre also holds regular practice sessions throughout the summer months for established horse archers who have completed at least the half-day course. www.horsebackcombat.co.uk

Located in the central region of Mull, visitors to Killiechronan can benefit from some of the island’s most breathtaking scenery. Ride up into the hills to take in the spectacular mountain views from Loch Na Keal to Ben More (the highest mountain on Mull). Alternatively, head down to the beach for a canter through the sea, and if you’re lucky you might see some of the rare white-tailed sea eagles that have made Mull their home since being saved from extinction. mullponytrekking.webs.com

The cairngorms are an excellent location for riding, with some of the world’s most dramatic mountains, rivers and glens to explore. Newtonmore offers various rides to suit a range of abilities, from short treks that focus on allowing riders to enjoy the scenery, to longer hacks where experienced riders can enjoy some fast canters. Beginners can opt for a special 1.5 hour session, with half an hour of tuition followed by a sedate hour’s ride out on the trails. For non-riders who would still like to explore the Cairngorms from a different perspective, Newtonmore also offers carriage rides (for 4-5 people) through the estate. www.highlandhorsefun.com

Freerein riding holidays are the ultimate in adventure for experienced riders. They offer 2 to 6-day organized guided rides, or if you prefer you and your friends can borrow some of their superb horses and set off on a 2 to 7-day self-guided journey across Wales. Freerein provide route maps and equipment, and will also arrange accommodation for each night. In these beautiful surroundings you can easily ride all day without seeing another soul, save maybe a friendly sheep or red kite. Novice riders can opt for the 3-day ‘Onto the Trail’ holiday, which is the perfect introduction to riding on open hills. Meanwhile, more experienced riders who are up for an endurance test will enjoy the Trans-Cambrian North or South routes; where they will cover 100 miles over six days and end up on the golden sands of the Dovey Estuary. www.free-rein.co.uk

Studland Beach in Dorset offers three miles of sandy beaches and dunes for horse riders to enjoy. Ride along the clifftop overlooking the fabulous Dorset coastline and explore the beach around Old Harry Rocks. nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-beach/horse-riding

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne offers horse riders a vast expanse white sand, with a backdrop of Lindisfarne Castle. Whiles riding along the beach, look out for seabirds and seals off the island. End the day with a dip in the North Sea – even if it is rather cold! kimmerston.com

This hidden and completely unspoilt beach offers horse riders seclusion and beauty. The sea at Druidstone Haven is particularly clean and is perfect for a swim after a long ride. A mile of sand is available when the tide is out. noltonstables.com

This beach is incredibly appealing for horse riders as its golden sands stretch for miles, allowing a good gallop up the beach. Previously named British beach of the week by The Telegraph, it offers solitude and a variety of wildlife and birds. horseandhound.co.uk/holkham-beach-horse-riding

With a history of shipwrecks, Kennack Sands is an intriguing and appealing beach for horse riders. Located at the top of the Lizard Peninsula, it is a lovely golden-sand beach, with excellent clean water for having a bathe in after your ride. newton-equestrian.co.uk

Useful resources for horse riders

Here is a list of resources from across the UK to give people with their own horses some inspiration

• Ride Yorkshire, www.rideyorkshire.org
• Coleridge Bridleway, Exmoor, www.coleridgeway.co.uk/bridle-way/bridle-way-route-guide
• Cumbria Bridleways Society, www.cumbriabridlewayssociety.org
• Brecon Beacons Bridleways, Wales, www.horseridingbreconbeacons.com/where-to-ride
• Dartmoor Riding Routes, www.dartmoor.gov.uk/visiting/vi-enjoyingdartmoor/vi-horse-riding
• Yorkshire Dales Horse Riding Routes, www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/outandabout/gettingactive/horseriding
• Cheviot Challenge Riding Routes, Northumberland, www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/visiting/thingstodo/horseriding/cheviotchallengeridingroutes
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Riding Routes, Scotland, www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/visiting/horse-riding/menu-id-104.html

Riding routes

BHS Ridemaps provides a map of riding routes intended to inspire you to explore new country with your horse, Equestrian Access Mapping

Places to stay with your horse

• BHS list of Horse-friendly accommodation http://www.bhs.org.uk/enjoy-riding/horses-welcome-bandbs
• B&B for Horses bedandbreakfastforhorses.co.uk