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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

I'd like to take dd on a riding holiday weekend where we can ride on a beach

37 replies

meltedmarsbars · 24/02/2010 10:32

...she is 10 and has been riding at stables since she was 6, I had ponies until I was in my twenties but don't ride now.

We'd like to go for a weekend somewhere, both ride out, maybe get to ride on a beach, somewhere in the uk.

Do any of you know any B&B-with-riding-school-attached sort of places? Maybe in Yorkshire, or Norfolk?

I've tried googling but can only find places where you take your own horse.

We don't have any!

OP posts:
thelunar66 · 24/02/2010 10:34

There was a place I read about in the Sunday Times a couple of months ago. It was on the shores of Loch Fyne in the West Coast of Scotland. Loch Fyne is a sea loch and has a long stretch of sand. I understood from the article I read that they take you out to ride along the shore and even swim across the Loch if the weather/conditions are ok.

steamedtreaclesponge · 24/02/2010 10:37

There's a great place in Northumberland - it's a campsite on a beach with a stables attached, in a really beautiful area. I think it's called Beachcomber Stables.

Probably one for the summer though as I wouldn't want to be camping out there at this time of year!

Original poster
meltedmarsbars · 24/02/2010 10:39

Thank you! I'm going to look these up! Loch Fyne may be a little too far for us.

OP posts:
MiffyWhinge · 24/02/2010 11:37

there's a nice B&B near Holkham beach in Norfolk, friends take their horses there for weekend sometimes

dogsnet · 24/02/2010 11:47

There's somewhere in Studland, Dorset, where my friends go. Can find out more. Also want to take dd, 11, on such a hol.

We rode www.devenishpitt.co.uk/here for an hour and hope to go back for a hol. It's near Budleigh Salterton in Devon. Lovely location and the riding stables seemed very good. Not 100% sure if they go to local beaches - we rode in the indoor school.

Carrotfly · 24/02/2010 11:47

Second Beachcomber in Goswick or something,its fabulous, I been a couple of times and still gives me a big when I think about it.

Dead cheap as well... or at least it was

Original poster
meltedmarsbars · 24/02/2010 11:48

Beachcomber's webpage seems to be gone...

Help!!!

OP posts:
dogsnet · 24/02/2010 11:49

Is Beachcomber camping in tents or do they have caravans for the less stalwart?

Carrotfly · 24/02/2010 11:54

://www.lindisfarne.org.uk/beachcomber/campsite.htm

Looks a bit exposed, which it is really ...

Think its just tents and caravans.

Original poster
meltedmarsbars · 24/02/2010 11:56

I think only if you take your own caravan!

I've just rung and they are closing down the riding!

OP posts:
Carrotfly · 24/02/2010 12:04

Oh No !!!!

I dont want to believe you !

She is such a lovely lady, she should have charged more, iirc it was £10 for an hours beach ride which seemed incredibly cheap for the experience.

Oh no

Lovecat · 24/02/2010 12:29

I've been on holidays to Allendale - lovely horses, nice people, lots of fun catching your own horse in field each morning and saddling up to ride!

and Inverary, which I think is the one talked about earlier where you ride into the loch and swim the horses - amazing fun! We personally found the owner a bit... individual, bullied DH mercilessly on the ride (we got a refund after complaining) but lovely to women and children!

However, neither of them are that close to you, or Norfolk...

I lust after the horses in this place, which is Suffolk - any use to you? Never been, but it looks lovely...

Lovecat · 24/02/2010 12:33

Ooh, sorry, just realised you want Beach riding! D'oh!

If the NorthWest's not too far away, how about Meols on the Wirral? There's hotels & B&B nearby in West Kirkby and elsewhere on the Wirral or you could stay in Liverpool and have some City shopping/art gallery/whatever time too, as it's not too far away by the train.

Ponymum · 24/02/2010 12:50

There's a place in North Yorkshire that does great holidays for adults and children, with on site accommodation - Bilsdale Riding Centre holidays. Only thing is it's not near a beach, but they do lots of riding up on the moors which is fab. It think they are pretty well set up for what you are looking for, apart from the beach thing. They have a good reputation too.

steamedtreaclesponge · 24/02/2010 13:03

Noooo! They're not closing down the riding at Beachcomber? I haven't been there in a couple of years and have been dying to go back. Grrr.

Would Devon/Cornwall be too far for you? I think there are a lot of places round there that would do beach riding.

Original poster
meltedmarsbars · 24/02/2010 15:05

These suggestions are lovely!

Looks like the beach thing is hard to find (funny thing as this is an island !) might have to go with hills or dales instead - or even circus tricks at Valley Farm!

OP posts:
Nymphadora · 24/02/2010 15:31

Lots of beach riding in Cumbria none that I know have B&B attatched but loads of them around too!

Original poster
meltedmarsbars · 24/02/2010 20:55

Nymphadora, can you point me in the direction of a particular stable?

Any more suggestions from the evening crowd?

OP posts:
oldernowiser · 25/02/2010 09:34

There was a riding holidays feature in Horse and Hound 4th Feb issue. There was an advert for Cumbrian Heavy Horses which had beach rides (www.cumbrianheavyhorses.com) but it might be too far away.

There was also one in Lincolnshire (www.canter-hallington.co.uk)but I don't know if they had horses available or just bring your own. They might know of somewhere though.

You could also try Redlands Equestrian who sound like a big company and the ad is pictured on the beach (www.redlandsequestrian.co.uk)

Good luck, let us know if you find anything as I'd like to do this in the summer

Nymphadora · 25/02/2010 12:55

The Heavy Horses Look fab but I still havent made it upt there yet!

The two we use are Seaview Riding School on Walney Island and Moatfarm at Ulverston. But they dont say anything on Moat Farms about hacks and we have only used them for kids lessons though I thought they did rides as they are practically on the beach.

www.biglandhall.com/These are supposed to be good but again I havent been personally!

Nymphadora · 25/02/2010 12:59

Seaview Didn't know they had a website but have a look at the ride to Piel at the bottom of the page

Original poster
meltedmarsbars · 25/02/2010 13:02

Ooh, doesn't that look tempting!

OP posts:
Nymphadora · 25/02/2010 13:06

I don't know if they would do it at the weekend though (just read the original post!)

I haven't done the ride but have done Piel as a walk and its lovely.

Isaidheyhoney · 26/02/2010 11:54

swoon at Heavy Horses. Does anyone know what it's like riding such gorgeous beasts? Dc have only ridden ponies so far, but could probably handle a Clydesdale. Wonder if they are a more comfortable ride?

Lovecat · 26/02/2010 14:45

My boy is a Clydesdale cross (see pic on profile) and he is like riding an armchair - the comfiest (slow) canter ever! Your legs do get a bit stretched though, curling around that big barrel tum.

There was also a Shire at our yard and I've ridden her a few times, she was lovely too - however, I would have to keep her leg on and on a fairly close rein when out in the forest as she was keen on stopping dead to eat - with those neck muscles your arms will get wrenched out of their sockets if you don't watch it (mind, when I was regularly riding Murphy I had no bingo wings whatsoever)!