Apologies- livery recommendation- sidcup, Eynsford, swanley

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Gypley

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Apologies again for another livery thread!

In all my years of horse ownership I've never been on a livery yard, having always been fortunate in finding sole use yards. However, after yet another break in over the weekend, I'm sick to the back teeth of it! (Stable doors stolen!!!)
So now I'd like to leave the stresses of fertilising, harrowing, seeding, rolling, fencing, muck removal, hay deliveries, stroppy liveries etc etc to somone else.

I live in Sidcup and work along the North Cray road, so the obvious option is Bexley. However id like to avoid this area if possible.

Requirements:

DIY livery for a mare and gelding
All year TO
Preferably 24/7 in summer
School
Good hacking
Perferably not a big commercial yard, somewhere friendly and small would be perfect.
Own grazing a mega bonus!

Looking at Swanley, Eynsford kinda areas. Chislehurst/ Bromley/ Sevenoaks all too difficult with morning traffic.

Many thanks in advance for suggestions :)
 
Any thoughts on Forest View in Bexley?

Holywell also looks lovely with great facilities but is a bit further out, although potentially worth the commute ?
 
I wouldn't really recommend anything in Bexley- its so over horsed amongst over things! Someone may correct me and recommend somewhere that is good round there now but when I looked there wasn't anywhere I liked. I live in Bexley so it would have been convenient! Holywell in Meopham?? If so I know someone that was there and did like it, however the commute is not good! Mine are currently in Meopham and its a nightmare getting there after work and its been getting worse to the point I'm moving them back closer :/ If you can sit and crawl in traffic for hours though go for it :)

There are a couple of DIY yards Swanley way - Southfort, maybe Gildenhill although may just be full livery. Try FB groups for suggestions??

Good luck :)
 
Thanks - I don't fancy Bexley at all for the same reasons as you, but I could be persuaded if the yard was good. Plus no commute would be fab!

I'm currently spitting distance from Southfort, which isn't for me. For one thing, horses have to be in before dark in winter which won't suit me with work. But yes guildenhill is full livery. Think I'm best to go and have a drive around and enquire.

I'd quite like to be the other side of the M25 as the hacking is unreal compared to where I am now !
 
Swanley/Crockenhill - Hogspringville
Eynsford - Capricorn Farm, Preston Farm
Near Brands Hatch - Speedgate

Not sure if they are DIY or Part Livery or both. I think all have all-year turnout but don't know about 24/7.
 
Hiya

What about Otford? I'm in Sidcup (the New Eltham side) and it took me about 25mins to get there (going through Eysford etc). I don't know if she has any space but the yard I was on I only left as I needed full livery. Lovely small yard, no politics etc. It's assisted DIY (they feed breakfast and turn out for you). And they'll bring in for a small fee. Indoor school (slightly under 40x20) and right on a TROT toll ride. A short hack across a field from great dunton farm (who do country jumping and hire out their school). You can have either your own grazing or can share if someone else wants to.
 
nori said:
Hiya

What about Otford? I'm in Sidcup (the New Eltham side) and it took me about 25mins to get there (going through Eysford etc). I don't know if she has any space but the yard I was on I only left as I needed full livery. Lovely small yard, no politics etc. It's assisted DIY (they feed breakfast and turn out for you). And they'll bring in for a small fee. Indoor school (slightly under 40x20) and right on a TROT toll ride. A short hack across a field from great dunton farm (who do country jumping and hire out their school). You can have either your own grazing or can share if someone else wants to.
Click to expand...

I kind of ruled out Otford as I assumed it would be too far. I also live the New Eltham end of Sidcup so it's interesting you didn't find the commute too bad ( I live right by County Gate, so can whiz straight onto the A20) what times of day were you travelling there, out of interest?
Would you be kind enough to PM me the details of the yard please
 
You must live next door as I'm by county gate! I went at all times of day and never hit traffic as its all country roads once you're through eynsford (just make sure you miss school times, as that gridlocks eynsford - I jumped on the m25 round to J4 at school times to avoid it).

I can't send PMs as I got locked out of my old account so am using this one which doesn't seem to have permissions to send PMs, but can receive them.
 
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nori said:
You must live next door as I'm by county gate! I went at all times of day and never hit traffic as its all country roads once you're through eynsford (just make sure you miss school times, as that gridlocks eynsford - I jumped on the m25 round to J4 at school times to avoid it).

I can't send PMs as I got locked out of my old account so am using this one which doesn't seem to have permissions to send PMs, but can receive them.
Click to expand...

Well technically I'm Harland Ave, but in terms of the great big world of HHO - we're neighbours :P

Can you reply to PM's ? Or know the name of the yard?
 
I can reply to PMs, just can't start a PM conversation. My parents are in Harland and I'm in Marechal Niel - so we may be only about 100m away depending on where you are in the road.

The yard is Orchard Farm and its on Telston Lane. If you PM me I can give you their mobile number.
 
My best friend lived in Harland Avenue and I used to keep my horse in Kemnal Road. It was many years ago and I used to ride on what is now the cemetery :)

There is a newish yard in Otford, I think it's called Park Farm stables. I don't know any more than that I'm afraid.
 
I used to be on Forest View but I am not sure you would like it although it is fairly good. There were two big fields not much grazing but not much ragwort either. All horses in together and the YO decides when they swap fields. A quite decent outdoor school. Good for access to Chalk Wood, Joyden's Wood and Footscray Meadows if you are ok with crossing the dual carriageway. YO a bit moany but gone by 11am usually. DIY included breakfast and turnout Monday to Friday at about 10am, not allowed to put out earlier. Bring in when you like but stabled nights all year and in winter if it rains they do not go out. A scary 20?ft ramp up to a massive skip for the mucking out, someone fell part way through it on a rotten place once. Individual feed store rooms with doors. Tack room not enough space for everyone gets broken into door and windows bad. Years since I was there so everything might have changed.
 
Park Farm is full livery (and slightly expensive from what I hear!). I wonder if I know your best friend as I lived in Harland all my life. Always used to cross the A20 to ride our bikes all round Kemnal and the woods.

It's a shame there are a lot of yards around the immediate area, but none that I would want to be at as they either seem to have poor turnout, bad hacking or something else against them (no school, nutty owner etc).
 
I can recommend Preston Farm. It's a bigger yard but it doesn't feel it. It has a lovely atmosphere, 2 outdoor schools, amazing hacking and the horses are all as happy as larry. it may not fit your bill due to its size though, and I also don't know if they are taking more DIY. Park Farm is also lovely, but is pricer and has a waiting list at mo.
 
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