Recommendations for experienced rider one off birthday gift hack nearish London?

[dotcotton]

I would like to buy my boyfriend a horseriding session for his birthday - to book for late September. Looking at Windsor Great Park (Wayside riding school) and also Stag Lodge in Richmond Park in London. Also possibility of somewhere in Sussex or Kent where we could stay overnight with local good riding centre. All suggestions or reviews greatly appreciated !

It's a bit out of your search area but there must be places in Epping Forrest that can offer this. Not a horse person any more, but back in the day (25- 30 y ago) I spent the odd weekend there with plenty of exiting and fun hacking.

The problem you’re going to have is most riding schools will insist on an assessment session before letting him loose with a horse on a fast hack. Many clients overestimate their skill level so new clients will either have to have an assessment lesson or be put on the quietest plodding horse on the yard. Of the two places you’ve mentioned I’d recommend Windsor Great Park rather than Stag Lodge. Kingsmead equestrian centre in Warlingham has fantastic hacking and their advanced hacks include some exhilarating canters across open fields but they won’t let anyone out of the arena until they’ve been assessed .. depends on how much of a surprise you want it to be…

How experienced? Does he have something like a BE record that might help?

Thanks all, have found somewhere nice in Sussex where we can stay and they can do a 1/2 hour assessment ahead of the hack . So its developed into a weekend away ! Also would love suggestions within Epping or Essex if anyone has good ones that might offer a day hack with assessment on the day

If you are still looking Gade Valley Sports Horses (they are on FB) do good 2h hacks in Ashridge near Berkhamstead. Nice Irish Sports horses. Fast canters.