Surrey is home to some of the best riding experiences in the country, so pull on your jodhpurs or a sturdy pair of jeans and climb aboard as we gallop through some of Surrey’s local stables and their fantastic riding opportunities.
Surrey and horse riding go hand-in-hand like beans on toast or French and Saunders. Riding since the age of 3-years old, my passion for horses and the Surrey countryside has been a constant joy in my life. Home to bountiful hacking through historical woodland, open fields and Royal Parks, horse riding taps into a sense of adventure that day-to-day life is often otherwise missing. Horse riding clubs and stables are tucked away in some of the most unlikely of places, riding out into countryside that you never imagined so close to London. You can see why riders from all over the world travel just to ride here, in our idyllic English countryside...
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Stag Lodge
Stag Lodge Stables is a wonderful riding school situated uniquely on the boarders of both Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common. This is a stables steeped in rich history as it has been a riding establishment since the 17th century. Housing over 70 well trained horses and ponies there is a mount for anyone here, suitable for all ages and levels of riding, their great team of BHS qualified riding instructors ensure you a safe and enjoyable experience.
Stag Lodge is conveniently located on the gates of Richmond Park allowing you to ride straight into the open countryside. Home to plenty of British wildlife you will see many types of deer throughout your lesson or hack. As one of the largest Pony Club Centres in the country Stag Lodge is perfect for any age to get stuck into the riding community. Whether you fancy a hack around Richmond Park, a summer evening pub ride, a gentle wander on a shetland for your little one or a full course to take you to competition standard, Stag Lodge has it all.
For more information visit: ridinginlondon.com
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Wimbledon Village Stables
Wimbledon Village Stables is a multi-award winning riding school in South West London. Its expert team of fully qualified and professional instructors lead fun and engaging lessons, as well as offering a variety of riding courses in horse care and stable management. Wimbledon Village Stables is famous for its bespoke range of activities with Equicise, this involves a combination of equestrian fitness and technical development.
The stables regularly holds open days inviting prospective members to spend some time exploring the yards facilities, including the state of the art and fully interactive horse riding simulator (there's probably a joke about horse power in there somewhere). This is a fun and safe way for beginners to learn to ride and gain confidence, and is just as useful for advanced riders to be able to improve posture, technique and perform advanced dressage movements and tests – a must try experience.
The fantastic facilities also promote Wimbledon Village Stables as the only equestrian centre with a fitness studio, which boasts equestrian focused yoga and Pilates classes for you to loosen up those hard worked muscles from your ride.
For a riding experience within easy distance to central London, Knightsbridge, Fulham and Chelsea this is a great location to combine your visit to the stables with a short break or day out shopping.
For more information visit: wvstables.com
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Orchard Cottage stables
If you have been out of the saddle for a while and feel ready to take back the reins, then Orchard Cottage could be the pace for you. In the setting of the north downs and Redhill area, this stabes offers endless scenic hacking, riding courses, pony club and kids clubs in the school holidays.
A fantastic environment for riders of all ages and abilities, Orchard Cottage provide a creche for parents riding during the week so everyone can enjoy their lesson or hack. The fantastic indoor and outdoor facilities promise the enjoyment of riding all year, in all weathers.
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Park Lane Stables
This is a friendly, family run riding school with two locations in Teddington and Hampton. The main stables are based in a 200-year old fire station in the heart of Teddington. Bushy Park is a few steps away, giving access to beautiful hacking for beginners as well as the more experienced rider. Just 35-minutes from London Waterloo the stable welcomes horse lovers from all over London and the Home Counties, offering traditional hacks and horse riding lessons, as well as being a fantastic venue for children's birthday parties. Home to a busy Pony Club, with lots of activities for kids running throughout the year including gymkhanas, fetes and fundraisers, there is always something happening at Park Lane.
This is a ‘horsie’ community who uphold the belief that anyone who wants to should have access to riding, and so support the Riding for the Disabled Association with riding lessons and events highlighting the great work the RDA does with equine therapy. Further supporting our health and wellbeing Park Lane Stables has created ‘Trot to be Trim’, a 6-week weight loss programme to help burn calories and lose pounds whilst incorporating stable duties, horse care and riding. A great way to get out and be healthy, whilst enjoying the company of friends and horses.
For more information visit: parklanestables.co.uk
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Chessington Equestrian Centre
Chessington Equestrian Centre Clayton Rd, Chessington, KT9 1NNLocated off of the A3 and only 9-miles from London, this is a great stable to consider when visiting Surrey. Like many others, this is a stable that caters for all, however Chessington pride themselves on supporting their riders and helping them excel, by regularly taking capable and more importantly competitive riders out to local shows to compete in dressage, show jumping and cross-country, giving this stable a close family and friends community between horses and riders.
Facilities offer riding all year round with two flood-lit outdoor schools and the indoor school for those predictable, English wet and windy days.
For more information visit: chessingtonequestriancentre.co.uk
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Lower Farm Stables
Since the yard started in 1977, Lower Farm has flourished in its rural settings of Stoke D’abernon, home to more than 70 livery and riding school horses and ponies, varying from a 39” Shetland to 16.2hh capable of carrying up to 13 stones. All horses are selected appropriately to your ability, for your safety and comfort in the school or out hacking the bridal ways and local countryside.
Lower Farm offers lessons for adults and children teaching from beginner to competition level, including dressage and jumping. After your riding has been assessed hacking across the ample countryside is available. If you’re lucky enough to own your own horse, Lower Farm invites you to bring them along to further your skill by participating in group or private lessons.
This is actually where I learnt to ride myself. I've always enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and warm welcome from fellow riders and staff at Lower Farm. The lessons are varied and dynamic and have had me coming back for 22-years. When I first learnt to ride here I used to love trotting out on a little Shetland called Twinkle who took great care of me, until I out grew him!
For more information visit: lowerfarmstables.com
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Horse Riding Surrey
Painshill Farm Stables, Dunsfold Road, Cranleigh, GU6 8LFHorse Riding Surrey is just 20-minutes south of Guildford and is a stables with a difference. Home to once unwanted and rescued ex-racehorses this riding experience sees the public enjoy these beautiful horses with so much still to give now their careers on the track are over. Their new adventure and yours starts here.
H.R.S provide all the riding facilitates and experiences you usually look for in a riding school with some fantastic opportunities for beach rides and next level speed at The Gallops. During the winter season the yard takes trips out to the track at The Gallops, this is where the ex-racers come into their own, giving the more advanced rider an adrenalin rush you are not likely to forget in a hurry.
Have you dreamt of cantering along a beach? Well now you can! Ride on the south coast near the Climping, West Sussex. Smell the salty sea air and hear the rhythm of hoof beats along the sandy shore, this is something not to be missed and a fantastic gift idea for birthdays, graduation, christmas or anniversaries.
This is a 3-4 hour day trip with transport from the yard included, opportunities for long sandy canters along the beach and a chance to jump the groynes. Afterwards take a visit to the local village pub The Black Horse for a post-ride drink and a natter - the perfect horsie day out!
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Wildwoods Riding Centre
Run by a family of passionate horse folk, Wildwoods has a wonderful little self-start-up story. Founder Anthea’s love of horses spanned from childhood through to her teens, where she turned her back on education and strived forward with her equestrian career, adding more members to her horse family along the way, with the help of supportive parents she bought in to Wildwoods.
Located in Walton-on-the-Hill the hacking is fantastic, enjoy National Trust views of Box Hill and the unbeatable beauty of the Epsom and South Downs.
Owner Anthea has also brought the Wild West to Surrey, offering western lessons for those looking to mix up their riding. The tack alone gives you nostalgia for the cattle dotted hills of the old west. For accomplished riders spinning on a sixpence in canter is quite the rush.
For more information visit: wildwoodsriding.co.uk
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Kingston Riding Centre
This is an example of a true urban stable, hidden in between houses on a residential street just a short journey from Kingston and Richmond Park. Access to wonderful hacking and indoor school facilities means this is a brilliant spot for riding 365-days of the year.
There are lovely well trained horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes for you try. If lessons are just not enough, but you can't commit to owning your own horse, Kingston Riding Centre has plenty of horses looking for love in its fantastic Share-a-horse scheme.
Obviously we don't condone drinking and driving, however drinking and riding seems to be an acceptable alternative. Kingston Riding Centre are currently running Friday evening 1 ½ hour hacks this summer. You can enjoy the beautiful views of London from Richmond Park whilst having a relaxing glass of ice cold Pimms. I can’t think of a better way to unwind at the end of a busy week in the office.
For more information visit: http://www.kingstonridingcentre.com
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Poynters Riding Centre
Poynters welcomes riders from as young as 4-years old right through to pensioners along to its facilities to enjoy riding the superb Surrey countryside just beyond the back gate. This is a beautiful location for hacking on Wisley and Ockham Common, the sand tracks are open all year round, which are fantastic for more advanced riders to blow out some speed.
Throughout the school holidays kids can enjoy the riding centre’s activities including pony days and gymkhanas, plus what better way to celebrate your birthday than with one of Poynters fun-filled pony parties.
Currently offering a choice of horses and ponies with a weight limit of up to 15-stones.
For more information visit: poyntersridingcentre.co.uk
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