Best horsey places to live in England?

[ellen2727]

Hi there!

I am considering moving over to England from Ireland next year for a change of scenery after college.

Are there any particular areas that are close to a few show jumping venues, nice choice of yards to rent, good availability of coaches etc.
Ideally somewhere where the cost of living isn't too crazy and there is a nice enough town/city nearby.

Any recommendations would be great!
Thanks in advance

 

[blitznbobs]

Tbh depends on your budget. Cheshire is great… lots of horsey people, competition venues and opportunities but not the cheapest county to live in

 

[Roxylola]

North West Manchester (and outlying areas like Bolton etc) offers a cheaper compromise to cheshire easy motorway access to loads of venues. However Manchester and North Cheshire are mostly on clay so if turnout etc is a high priority they are less than ideal.

 

[ycbm]

Another vote for Cheshire but somewhere on the salt plain, south and west, which is sand and drains well and you will find daily turnout still possible.
.

 

[ellen2727]

North West Manchester (and outlying areas like Bolton etc) offers a cheaper compromise to cheshire easy motorway access to loads of venues. However Manchester and North Cheshire are mostly on clay so if turnout etc is a high priority they are less than ideal.

Tbh depends on your budget. Cheshire is great… lots of horsey people, competition venues and opportunities but not the cheapest county to live in

Another vote for Cheshire but somewhere on the salt plain, south and west, which is sand and drains well and you will find daily turnout still possible.
.

Thanks for the recommendations!

Amble turnout is a non negotiable for me - turnout on livery can be very limited in Ireland and non existent in the winter. Is it the much the same in the UK?
What are the going rates for livery? DIY or Full?

Thanks!

 

[spacefaer]

Shropshire. Got everything you want
Friends of mine run a livery yard with arenas, farm ride, year round turnout - all within decent travelling time of competitions and trainers. £35/ week diy.

 

[Birker2020]

Warwickshire is a great area to live, plenty of yards and competition centres easily accessed off the M42 Solihull Riding Club, M6 Weston Lawns, M5 Gracelands, A45 Onley Grounds

Being in the hub of the motorway network is so convenient.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Shropshire. Got everything you want
Friends of mine run a livery yard with arenas, farm ride, year round turnout - all within decent travelling time of competitions and trainers. £35/ week diy.

Where is this???!!! Must say I find Shropshire/Herefordshire not great for livery, despite it being very rural good livery yards are few and far between!

Turnout in winter is limited in a lot of places in the UK, often due to places having too many horses for the land. Frustrating!

 

[Bobthecob15]

Warwickshire is a great area to live, plenty of yards and competition centres easily accessed off the M42 Solihull Riding Club, M6 Weston Lawns, M5 Gracelands, A45 Onley Grounds

Being in the hub of the motorway network is so convenient.

Yes this is something to consider, too rural and you’ll end up with tiny back lanes for transportation which add a long time your commute and travelling to shows.

West/north is definitely cheaper than south but south has a lot of good venues depending on what you want to do. Also check out brideways in areas you are interested in as many areas they are non existent

 

[dottylottie]

definitely south if you’re into eventing, but NW is fab for horses otherwise

 

[Celtic Jewel]

owning a horse is way more expensive in the uk compared to Ireland there livery is very expensive from what I have heard compared to Ireland livery rates like €500-€600 euros a month in the uk compared to €300-€450 in Ireland , I live in Ireland I have no problem finding turnout in the winter all the yards in my area offer turnout if you in Dublin though it’s impossible it’s like livery in London there no turn out .

 

[spacefaer]

@Trakky14 The Isle

 

[Bobthecob15]

@Trakky14 The Isle

Ah yes that’s gorgeous, Shrewsbury direction there are a fair few yards. We are an hour further south x

 

[dottylottie]

price wise i’m NW, i currently pay £36 a week but have paid up to £60 a week/£260 a month for DIY.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

NW Surrey would tick all your boxes except cost.....

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Home counties but it can be very expensive.

We dont seem to get a lot of really bad weather but tue yards are all full and mostly a mox of DIY and full/Part. Most grass livery places do not have a school or good hacking.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Gloucestershire area , although perhaps on the more expensive side

 

[SantaVera]

Another vote for Shropshire

 

[setterlover]

Nice to hear people saying Shropshire I grew up in that area .We are thinking of selling our small farm and heading back to Shropshire in the next year or two.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Nice to hear people saying Shropshire I grew up in that area .We are thinking of selling our small farm and heading back to Shropshire in the next year or two.

You’ll be shocked at how much prices have gone up though!!! It’s a lovely place x

 

[setterlover]

We visit a couple of times a year yes it is lovely happy memories of my dad and grandpa.
We would be selling a large equestrian property with a lot of stables American barn ,land ,arena (outdoor and half size indoor) as well as barns and outbuildings. Barn with gundog Kennels
We want to downsize in the next couple of years now we are both getting older.
Hopefully there will be enough to buy something much smaller and nice.
Shropshire' the Marches border with Wales and Herefordshire borders look a bit less expensive.

 

[suestowford]

Some places now have ULEZ to contend with, wherever you look don't forget to find out if you'd need to travel through one to get anywhere.

 

[Vodkagirly]

South East Northumberland is pretty good. I have 4 competition/training venues within 5 miles. Pleasant hacking. A 7 mile beach to ride on. Lots going on. Unfortunately the weather is rubbish!

 

[dougpeg]

Cannock chase area in Staffordshire. Miles and Miles of off road hacking, lots of yards and competition venues. Property is very good value and you have a nice mix of town and country.

 

[Bobthecob15]

We visit a couple of times a year yes it is lovely happy memories of my dad and grandpa.
We would be selling a large equestrian property with a lot of stables American barn ,land ,arena (outdoor and half size indoor) as well as barns and outbuildings. Barn with gundog Kennels
We want to downsize in the next couple of years now we are both getting older.
Hopefully there will be enough to buy something much smaller and nice.
Shropshire' the Marches border with Wales and Herefordshire borders look a bit less expensive.

Yes they are, that’s where we are!
It is quite far from a hospital though so keep that in mind! Also need to pick your area because flooding is unreal down here! X