Moving to Somerset/Devon with dogs & horses

[Freespirit99]

Advice please!
We sold our house in Sussex in Dec and are in renting in Launceston. Looking for a rural property in Devon/Somerset with good riding which is under £500,000. Not having much joy, don't really want a tiddly cottage, but happy to do work. Need some land for horses. Have been surprised how hard it is too find! Naively didn't think that the West Country would be bereft of bridle paths or common land to ride on, but unless you go to the moors, it appears to be so. Anyone who can help with advice, would be appreciated.
Many thanks :)

[Redhound]

Hi I moved to East Devon with horses and dogs in 2013. I think it was a good choice. Yes for the best riding its the moors no doubt but with that comes the wet climate and isolation/few jobs. Where I live I think its a good compromise- lots of bridleways, green lanes and also you will find the lanes are very quiet, I almost prefer the lanes as they are often easier than going though mud and struggling with gates on bridleways. East Devon is cheaper than West Dorset but across the border in Somerset you can get more for your money. Have a look at the bridleways around Uplyme, Ottery st Mary, Aylesbeare Common, Hawkchurch Lamberts Castle Chardstock to name a few. Lots of friendly hunts round here too. You might struggle a bit with that budget but does depend what you want property and land wise. PM me if you like :)

[KarenG]

We are selling in Porlock, West Somerset, which I'm not hawking at you as it's over your budget, but have been amazed at how much house you can get for your money round there and how much our largish house isn't worth! Great countryside. Pretty horsey generally. Porlock is a great place to be based as it has various amenities, but there are few jobs as Redhound said. Taunton 45 mins away by car.

[Freespirit99]

Thanks for the feedback. All thoughts and info are much appreciated :)

[SquirrelledAway]

We moved from Hertfordshire (lots of bridle paths, commons, tracks etc) to North Devon many years ago - there was surprisingly little off-road riding available, with virtually no bridlepaths and hardly anywhere to let rip and let the horses really stretch their legs.

[IrianofWay]

Try the Quantocks/Taunton area. I am not a rider but I walk/run using a lot of footpaths and a large number of those are bridleways.