Taking Your Horse on Holiday in the UK: What to Expect and Best Destinations
2020 is the year that everyone stayed at home, the year that the world paused and instead of going on summer holidays, people spent time at home, staying safe. Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, less people will be taking holidays abroad due to travel restrictions and efforts to minimise further spread of the virus. Do you ever miss your horse like crazy when you go on holiday abroad? If you’re an equestrian living in the UK, the positive thing is that there are many wonderful destinations that you can enjoy a holiday with your horse for a change.
Taking your horse on holiday is a fantastic experience and will give you days of enjoyment, not to mention strengthen the bond with your equine friend and allow variation for both you and your horse, from the usual training, shows and hacking at home. With so many breathtaking places to choose from and a long summer ahead, you may even find that taking your horse on holiday in the UK preferable to the hassle of jumping on a plane and crossing the pond! We’ve put together some of our favourite destinations across the UK and some information on what to expect when you take your horse on holiday with you.
There are two options when it comes to taking your horse on holiday with you in the UK; the first is a riding camp and the second is an equestrian escape with your horse. Both options are available at the following destinations; for a new partnership or novice, a riding camp is always a great option as you will have the benefit of coaches and trainers and you will meet like-minded people and discover new things during training. For someone who wants to explore uncharted waters and new countryside with their horse and friends at their own liberty, an equestrian escape staying at a B&B, farm stay or self-catered cabin is an ideal option. Accommodation can vary from luxury chalets to basic B&B’s with stable and facilities, so you can tailor your holiday quite easily to your preference.
The Lake District
The famous Lake District offers unrivalled beauty in the North West of England, with dramatic views of peaks and fells and calm waters such as Windermere and Ullswater where people gather on warm, sunny days. The great thing about the Lake District is the varied choice of riding experiences, ranging from beach rides to exploring the forests and fells or Cumbria.
Lake Ullswater, in the English Lake District, is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and is the second largest in England at seven and a half miles long.
Many people holiday in the Lake District to enjoy the stunning scenery on foot, taking your horse on holiday to the Lake District allows you to enjoy all of this without the blisters! Choose from a selection of B&B’s and traditional farm cottages, or enjoy a riding holiday with the benefit of training and schooling, staying in a 17th century Lakeland farmhouse at Witherslack Hall Farm.
Norfolk
Norfolk is another stunning area of the UK, renowned for its idyllic coast that offers miles of golden sand and many bridleways.
Two women riding their horses on the wide sands of the beach at Old Hunstanton in Norfolk, Eastern England, at low tide. On the horizon is part of a wind farm with rows of wind turbines gleaming in the sunshine.
If you are looking for self-catering accommodation with stables in Norfolk where you can be free to enjoy the beautiful countryside and coastline with your horse, there are many options available here. A few different places that you can enjoy B&B accommodation and the various riding options are Whitehall Farm, Willow Tree Farm, Holme Farm Stables or Mill Farm Holidays offer camping near your horse for those of you who enjoy the great outdoors and sleeping under the stars.
Peak District & Derbyshire
Saddle up and enjoy the stunning landscape that the Derbyshire and the Peak District has to offer from a different perspective. Situated in central England, the Peak District & Derbyshire is characterised by spectacular landscapes and peaks, historic houses, bracing moorland and long bridleways. The famous Pennine Bridleway and High Peak Trail are easily accessible through rolling fields nearby to Hoe Grange Farm, or enjoy a slice of luxury and stay at Magpie Cottages, with their 5 star BHS approved livery facilities which sits in over 100 acres of woodland with the option of lessons and hacking tours. With miles of off road hacking to enjoy, the Peak District & Derbyshire could be your idea of heaven.
Ladybower Reservoir in the English Peak District.
West Sussex
West Sussex is nestled in the South of England near to Brighten, bordering Hampshire and Surrey. West Sussex is a beautiful destination to enjoy a horse-riding holiday, enjoy staying in a seafront hotel and ride in the stunning South Downs with your equine friend at Equestrian Escapes in West Sussex.
Halnaker tree tunnel, Halnaker, West Sussex.
If you have a group of friends and would like to enjoy a self-catered holiday with your horse, historic holiday cottages such as Hope Farmhouse offer plentiful bridleways and riding options from the doorstep, with many local attractions to enjoy too.
The UK is home to numerous areas of natural beauty that are perfectly suited to taking your horse on holiday, other destinations including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Cornwall and many more. Taking your horse on holiday with you has become increasingly popular and soon will be the perfect time to enjoy taking your horse on holiday with you in the UK for the first time. Before booking somewhere to take your horse on holiday, make sure that you consider things such as picking somewhere local if your horse isn’t a keen traveller and what sort of facilities you will need for your horse, for example separate paddocks or 24 hour turnout. Either way, there is a perfect option for everyone’s needs and rest assured, you will want to take your horse on holiday with you every year!
