Carriage Driving Experience?

[mastermax]

After a lifetime of riding, show jumping and hunting, my husband had a non riding related accident and broke a bone in his neck and had a small bleed on his brain and although now well, he has made the sensible decision to never ride again. He still gets involved with me and my horses and enjoys his time with us but will never sit on one again as being a dairy farmer he cannot afford to get seriously hurt again.
It is his 50th irthday in November and having spoken quite often about how much he would enjoy "having a go" does anyone have any experiences of Carriage driving days, experiences etc or where the best place to get the gift voucher from. We dont mind travelling and making a couple of days away of it as we can book in somewhere, have his experience and go off and do other stuff. We are in the West Country at the moment. Many thanks in advance.

 

[Kylara]

There is a really good place I know of, but can't remember the name! I'll ask a friend if she knows and she'll probably recommend somewhere for you too! - driving is great fun, and is addictive!

 

[bakewell]

I know it's not fancy carriage driving which might be what you have in mind but these guys are beyond awesome;
http://www.heavy-horses.net/
They taught my former OH, and they do the Prince of Wales' horse breaking.
The b&b facilities are also great but maybe they're not so far from you anyway.
I would recommend them unreservedly, lovely people.

 

[Orangehorse]

They do not officially offer a "driving experience" or any other teaching, but it might be worth making an enquiry to Monnington Morgans in Herefordshire, because nearly all their horses drive and they know people in the driving world.

 

[Wiz201]

I carriage drive with an RDA carriage driving group but I think there is only a handful of groups running. He could consider contacting the RDA (website) and asking if there are any groups in the west country. Anyone who volunteers in our group usually gets a drive if there is time.
I personally don't know of any experiences in your area, I only know northern ones, but look on here, there may be some within reasonable travelling distance.
http://www.dragondriving.co.uk/lessons.php

 

[Jumoro]

You might also want to take a look at the BC website (http://www.britishcarriagedriving.co.uk) - If you click on the "Our Sport" section you'll find a list of centres where you can have a go. Be warned though - it is addictive! I gave up riding after an injury and thought I'd have a go at this driving lark a few years ago....my "non horsey" OH is now driving, we have our own driving pony and carriage and competed indoors last winter!

 

[Adopter]

If you want to combine it with a short break, I believe the Carriage Driving Museum, in Darley Dale which is between Matlock and Bakewell does driving experiences.

A short break in the Peak district offers lots of options and a good range of places to stay.

 

[dornrose]

I would contact Fenix Carriages.

 

[Kylara]

Have had a chat with my very in the know friend (she drives I backstep - she knows everyone! haha) and she suggested these people http://www.sheltonfarmcarriages.co.uk/

She is also having a think about places closer to the West Country

 

[paddy]

What a lovely idea. Where in the West Country are you?

Colin and Margaret at Shelton Farm are fabulous, but it's a bit of a treck!

 

[pennyturner]

Be warned though - it is addictive!

Very true - and takes up unbelievable amounts of space. Every driving person I know has harness all over the house (often a whole room dedicated to it, I kid you not), and either their own barns or someone elses' stuffed with vehicles.

 

[timefort]

My OH bought me a carriage driving experience day at the National Trust's Arlington Court. You got to spend the morning going round the stables, then put to and drove one of their carriage horses around the estate. The gift voucher also included entry to the property and a free cream tea when the horsey bits were over. It was a really lovely day and both myself (and non-horsey OH who also got to drive) enjoyed it immensely - I'd definitely recommend. We combined it with staying in a national trust property on the estate and had a fantastic holiday.

 

[Kylara]

Font of all knowledge got back to me with one closer to you in the West Country :

Mark & Joanna Broadbent, Fenix Carriages, Somerset

Wherever you go I'm sure you'll love it! You'll feel far back at first but it is great fun and highly addictive!

Barns you say? Garages/house full of harness? I don't know what you are talking about

 

[Wiz201]

Very true - and takes up unbelievable amounts of space. Every driving person I know has harness all over the house (often a whole room dedicated to it, I kid you not), and either their own barns or someone elses' stuffed with vehicles.

I know someone who takes their carriage apart to fit it into a shed on the livery yard

 

[Orangehorse]

http://www.oldvicaragepenzance.co.uk/riding-holidays.html

They might do driving as well.

 

[SHCC]

Contact your British Driving Society Area Commissioner who will be able to help you find instructors.
They will probably specialise in 'lightweight' harness horses.
If you fancy something a little different, try heavy horses. Jonathan and Fiona Waterer are excellent.
Or pm me and I can suggest others as well.

 

[Kat]

If you want to combine it with a short break, I believe the Carriage Driving Museum, in Darley Dale which is between Matlock and Bakewell does driving experiences.

A short break in the Peak district offers lots of options and a good range of places to stay.

My driving friend rates this place and is planning to go there to learn to drive a pair

If you prefer heavy horses just a few minutes away is Arraslea Shires who do things like logging as well as driving and have a holiday cottage on site.

 

[happyclappy]

I can't personally reccomend a place to go, but I can definately recommend giving it a go, it is wonderful

 

[katastrophykat]

Hahaha!! Too true Pennyturner my boy has four sets of harness and two carriages. There's a huge wagon, carriage trailer, quad bike and god knows how much more kit in my house, my parents' and at the yard. It's obsessive.

I'd start with the Broadbents at Fenix as well

 

[Myhorseeatsmoney]

I cannot give an opinion on how good he is but Tony Page at Grayswood Driving Centre near Winchester may be able to help.

 

[Evie91]

I took my Dad for a driving experience to Bennington carriages. It was really great fun - go to tack up, drive round the field, then down the lane and back then did a cones course.
Afterwards we got to look around the workshop where they make the carriages - which was the icing on the cake for my Dad.
We went to a fab pub for lunch afterwards - which they reccomended.

 

[mastermax]

Thank you so much for all your really hepful replies. there is now so much to choose from. I will spend sone time trawling through and see where to go. Hopefully he will enjoy his present. Quite looking forward to it myself as its something I have never done. Crikey, if it becomes addictive, we may have to build more sheds!