Gloucestershire/Wiltshire/North Somerset locals - I need your help!!! (Also in CR/SY)

[WildRider]

Firstly, so annoyed!! I had this written out, hit 'post', and found I'd been logged out of HHO!!! Grrrrrrr..... Anyway, deep breath....

I have a request for help here, probably a bit long winded (probably unneccessarily so!) so please bear with me, cookies and milk - or wine and other such yummies - for those who make it to the end.

Basically, I'm moving from Surrey, want to completely leave the area (long story, don't ask) and investigating pastures new. I'm thinking about heading out west, within the general Gloucestershire/Wiltshire/North Somerset area - yes, I know you're all clever people and can work that out, but just in case. Now, being a Surrey girl all my life so far, I know NOTHING about said area of interest in terms of equestrianism, and am therefore calling on you for help. I tried Google, but didn't really get anywhere fast.

Brief rundown of what I'm after:
-Somewhere with at least a couple of DIY livery yards with sandschool (I say a couple so that I stand half a chance of a vacancy)
-At least a couple of places that hold local unaffiliated shows and/or riding club shows
-Half decent hacking

Once I have some suggestions, I can start looking into things a bit further, but it's getting some starting points that I'm struggling on. Any suggestions, whether village/town/place names, suggestions of yards, just that you know there's somewhere that has a few competitons or nice hacking but you don't know about yards, ANYTHING would be mahoosively appreciated. Or perhaps you know the name of a local riding club that I can check their classifieds - I did try 'Find a Riding Club' on the BHS website, but that gave me a long list of clubs in a wide area and again, I wouldn't know where to start!!

So please any thoughts (yes, I know I sound a bit desperate, but I really need to get cracking on this)???

 

[spaniel]

Goodness you have picked the right area to move to! I am 6 miles south of Bath and just inside NE Somerset close to the Wilts border and we have yards everywhere here. Some classy and some very basic. Locally there are competition venues within an hours lorry rive and there are thriving riding clubs.

If you can narrow down where you want to be ie which major town/city will suit you then I have no doubt you will get tons of help....theres a lot of us on HHO from this area.

A few names to investigate...

Bath Riding Club, Mendip Farmers Hunt, The Hand (comp Venue), West Wilts Equestrian centre(comp venue), The Stables Equine ( good vet practice about to massively expand).

 

[Ibblebibble]

ok, well west wilts equestrian centre is between bradford on avon and melksham, west wilts always holding events and there's plenty of livery yards in the surrounding areas. got wadswick stores nearby (ish) and countrywide, both usually have ads for livery yards.

 

[WildRider]

Goodness you have picked the right area to move to! I am 6 miles south of Bath and just inside NE Somerset close to the Wilts border and we have yards everywhere here. Some classy and some very basic. Locally there are competition venues within an hours lorry rive and there are thriving riding clubs.

If you can narrow down where you want to be ie which major town/city will suit you then I have no doubt you will get tons of help....theres a lot of us on HHO from this area.

A few names to investigate...

Bath Riding Club, Mendip Farmers Hunt, The Hand (comp Venue), West Wilts Equestrian centre(comp venue), The Stables Equine ( good vet practice about to massively expand).

Ooooh, thank you Spaniel!!! There isn't really a particular town/city that I'm looking for, my main priority is for the horse, my priorities come after!! I'll have a look at those suggestions.

 

[WildRider]

ok, well west wilts equestrian centre is between bradford on avon and melksham, west wilts always holding events and there's plenty of livery yards in the surrounding areas. got wadswick stores nearby (ish) and countrywide, both usually have ads for livery yards.

That's lovely, thank you!

 

[smellsofhorse]

If you move to more north Somerset way. Blackdown mendip riding club is fab, lots going on.
Urchinwood manor, badgworth area, leyland court and hand stadium. Some of the local places.
Lots of livery yards too.

 

[Kokopelli]

I can help you out with Gloucestershire.

In H&H there was an article to find out what was the horsiest county and Glous came out on top. There are some brilliant show centres (Hartpury, Summerhouse, Home Farm) but we also travel to places a bit further which are about an hour away; Allens Hill, Gracelands, Hand, Rockhampton and Kings Equestrian to name a few. There are tonnes of nice xc courses that are close but if you're willing to travel about an hour you can get to some very nice BE courses.

The local riding clubs are Cheltenham and District however I've been told it's very bitchy but quite competitive. The riding club that I would recommend and the one I'm joining next year is Frampton Family which is full of really nice people and very friendly.

Here is a list of all the BHS approved livery yards in Glos:
https://www.bhs.org.uk/Riding/Find_A_Livery_Yard/BHS_Approved_Yards.aspx

I can hugely recommend Church Farm which also holds some dressage events and summer shows but has no spaces atm. I can also recommend you a few good yards out Hartpury way if you're interested. My current yard also has spaces which is in Witcombe.

There is very good hacking all around Gloucestershire there are only one or two livery yards I can think of that don't have good hacking. There are a few places you can trailer to as well. Lots of commons that are brilliant for hacking and Cirencester Park is a lovely place to go on a hack. We have also recently gone to the beach (Brean Sands) which was just over an hour away towing.

If you are interested in coming to Glos I'll PM you the names of some places to steer clear of.

Hope this helps if you want to know any more than I'm more than happy to answer and questions.

 

[monkeybum13]

Wow, that is a huge area and you will find what you are looking for anywhere within that area.

My first choice would be Gloucestershire around Wotton-under-Edge, Stroud, North Nibley areas, I love it there.
Or the Glos/Wilts borders, love that area too!

Or where I am between Bristol/Bath, or Somerset, or anywhere really, I do like this area!

There are loads of comp venues and there is the Riding Club are 9 starting in October '11

 

[ThePony]

Wow, with that area it would be easier to suggest somewhere that didn't have a selection of yards and comp venues nearby! Top horsey territory!

We used to be north glos (Broadway area), heaps of yards, good hacking in most areas, with plenty of showcenters - Evenload Riding Club is a really good one for that area. If there isn't anything on the website then you could always drop them an email.

We are now in Ciren (we checked the area out for the horses and moved them first!) and it is bloomin fabulous!! It isn't the cheapest area, but given that you have so many show centers really close then it does reduce your fuel spend. Just about a million DIY/part livery/full livery choices and the hacking is the best I have ever encountered. We stable by the park and so we have over 9000 acres of off-road hacking straight out the front door! There are lots of comp centers really close, within an hour you have Hunters Equestrian (unaff and aff dressage), Summerhouse (everything really, both aff and unaff!), Burrows Court (unaff and aff dressage). A little further afield is Home Farm in Brockhamptom, Abbey Dressage, West Wilts, Colderton, Hill Top xc, Deer Park xc, Leyland Court (everything inc xc!). You get the idea!! Obv Polo too given the area if that is your thing, mega hunting too!

If it is an area you think might suit then do drop me a pm and I'll do my best to help, good luck with the exciting move!!

 

[WildRider]

If you move to more north Somerset way. Blackdown mendip riding club is fab, lots going on.
Urchinwood manor, badgworth area, leyland court and hand stadium. Some of the local places.
Lots of livery yards too.

That's great, I do want to join a riding club once I move, so always nice to hear about the good ones! Thanks for the suggestions.

I can help you out with Gloucestershire.

In H&H there was an article to find out what was the horsiest county and Glous came out on top. There are some brilliant show centres (Hartpury, Summerhouse, Home Farm) but we also travel to places a bit further which are about an hour away; Allens Hill, Gracelands, Hand, Rockhampton and Kings Equestrian to name a few. There are tonnes of nice xc courses that are close but if you're willing to travel about an hour you can get to some very nice BE courses.

The local riding clubs are Cheltenham and District however I've been told it's very bitchy but quite competitive. The riding club that I would recommend and the one I'm joining next year is Frampton Family which is full of really nice people and very friendly.

Here is a list of all the BHS approved livery yards in Glos:
https://www.bhs.org.uk/Riding/Find_A_Livery_Yard/BHS_Approved_Yards.aspx

I can hugely recommend Church Farm which also holds some dressage events and summer shows but has no spaces atm. I can also recommend you a few good yards out Hartpury way if you're interested. My current yard also has spaces which is in Witcombe.

There is very good hacking all around Gloucestershire there are only one or two livery yards I can think of that don't have good hacking. There are a few places you can trailer to as well. Lots of commons that are brilliant for hacking and Cirencester Park is a lovely place to go on a hack. We have also recently gone to the beach (Brean Sands) which was just over an hour away towing.

If you are interested in coming to Glos I'll PM you the names of some places to steer clear of.

Hope this helps if you want to know any more than I'm more than happy to answer and questions.

Kokopelli, that is a fabulous amount of info, thanks!! And if you could PM me the ones to avoid, that would be just lovely, I've been at my fair share of pants yards so I'd rather not have another!

Wow, that is a huge area and you will find what you are looking for anywhere within that area.

My first choice would be Gloucestershire around Wotton-under-Edge, Stroud, North Nibley areas, I love it there.
Or the Glos/Wilts borders, love that area too!

Or where I am between Bristol/Bath, or Somerset, or anywhere really, I do like this area!

There are loads of comp venues and there is the Riding Club are 9 starting in October '11

Defo sounds like I've picked the right area then!

Wow, with that area it would be easier to suggest somewhere that didn't have a selection of yards and comp venues nearby! Top horsey territory!

We used to be north glos (Broadway area), heaps of yards, good hacking in most areas, with plenty of showcenters - Evenload Riding Club is a really good one for that area. If there isn't anything on the website then you could always drop them an email.

We are now in Ciren (we checked the area out for the horses and moved them first!) and it is bloomin fabulous!! It isn't the cheapest area, but given that you have so many show centers really close then it does reduce your fuel spend. Just about a million DIY/part livery/full livery choices and the hacking is the best I have ever encountered. We stable by the park and so we have over 9000 acres of off-road hacking straight out the front door! There are lots of comp centers really close, within an hour you have Hunters Equestrian (unaff and aff dressage), Summerhouse (everything really, both aff and unaff!), Burrows Court (unaff and aff dressage). A little further afield is Home Farm in Brockhamptom, Abbey Dressage, West Wilts, Colderton, Hill Top xc, Deer Park xc, Leyland Court (everything inc xc!). You get the idea!! Obv Polo too given the area if that is your thing, mega hunting too!

If it is an area you think might suit then do drop me a pm and I'll do my best to help, good luck with the exciting move!!

Wowzer, just Googled Cirencester Park, it sounds amazing!!! And stoked at the mega hunting, as now that I have my new boy, I do want to get him out this winter Will PM you for more info, sounds like it's just the ticket!!!

Ohhhh, with all the info I'm getting, I can't wait to move!!!!!

 

[monkeybum13]

If you're into hunting you have Beaufort, Berkeley, VWH, Cotswold Farmers, Avon Vale Hunt, Mendip Farmers and some more in the area.

Cirencester Park is fantastic, did a fun ride there back in May which was great and doing an endurance ride there the end of the month

 

[Kokopelli]

Have PM'd you

 

[OFG]

Others have given you some really good info for the very wide area you are contemplating moving to.

Although you have said your horse is the main priority you do need to do some serious research into property prices / rental etc as prices down this way are very expensive. If you are looking on the M4 / M5 corridor it's prime commuter belt so prices rise to extortionate amounts.

Don't set your heart on a livery yard only to find you can't afford to live in that area.

 

[Kokopelli]

Others have given you some really good info for the very wide area you are contemplating moving to.

Although you have said your horse is the main priority you do need to do some serious research into property prices / rental etc as prices down this way are very expensive. If you are looking on the M4 / M5 corridor it's prime commuter belt so prices rise to extortionate amounts.

Don't set your heart on a livery yard only to find you can't afford to live in that area.

Fair point.

I should also add that petrol seems to be more expensive here than a lot of other places I have been. When I went to Bristol the other day it was 5p cheaper than all our garages and in Devon it seemed even cheaper.

 

[AprilBlossom]

Another vote for Glos-so much within a very reasonable distance. What sort of budget, either to buy or rent, are you looking at for yourself and for livery? Might help narrow down your options as clearly, everywhere youre considering ha excellent prospects!

 

[meesha]

a bit about loxton and north somerset - we have badgworth arena 15 mins drive away, hacking on mendips 15 mins away by car. Hacking on crooks peak on doorstep. Hand equestrian, cannington college, stockland lovell xc, pontispool xc, cuckoos nest xc, blackdown mendip riding club and other clubs in area. We also have beach riding 15 mins box away. Lots of people commute to bristol for work as better money.

House for sale in Loxton on rural scene - 485 - detached 4 bed stables, land etc

If looking for a livery yard loads around with diy around £25 per week.

 

[china]

what meesha said. I am north somerset! hundreds of yards! do research the area, we have had alot of theft in the area so pm me and il tell you where to steer clear from. I know you get theft anyway but is rife at the mo!

We have plenty of local comp centre, Hand ec- high class venue
Badgworth ec- does affiliated and un aff, very homely atmosphere!
stockland lovell, pontispool, rock hampton (aka dark hole!) cuckoos nest, urchinwood, sumerhouse. If you go near the motorway there are soo many of the m5 its untrue!
We are 5 mins from the motorway so just jump on that and go off places.
riding clubs- brent knoll, blackdown mendip.
riding- quantocks, beach's, medips, bridgwater way/stockland lovel has amazing hacking! beautifal place to ride! feel free to pm!

 

[WildRider]

If you're into hunting you have Beaufort, Berkeley, VWH, Cotswold Farmers, Avon Vale Hunt, Mendip Farmers and some more in the area.

Cirencester Park is fantastic, did a fun ride there back in May which was great and doing an endurance ride there the end of the month

I like that list VERY much

Others have given you some really good info for the very wide area you are contemplating moving to.

Although you have said your horse is the main priority you do need to do some serious research into property prices / rental etc as prices down this way are very expensive. If you are looking on the M4 / M5 corridor it's prime commuter belt so prices rise to extortionate amounts.

Don't set your heart on a livery yard only to find you can't afford to live in that area.

Oh, I know!! That thought suddenly hit me and I did some frantic research on rental prices - and breathed a mega sigh of relief when I realised it is definitely do-able! To be honest, living in Surrey, the property prices are actually less (judging by what I've looked at) although I do appreciate that I'd have to take a paycut which would offset the lesser rent.

Fair point.

I should also add that petrol seems to be more expensive here than a lot of other places I have been. When I went to Bristol the other day it was 5p cheaper than all our garages and in Devon it seemed even cheaper.

Thanks for the PM... Roughly how much is petrol in the area then? Given that it will be something else to bear in mind!

Another vote for Glos-so much within a very reasonable distance. What sort of budget, either to buy or rent, are you looking at for yourself and for livery? Might help narrow down your options as clearly, everywhere youre considering ha excellent prospects!

For livery, budget of around £150 pcm, although obviously less would be fab!!! Plus feed, bedding etc etc.... Rent for moi, £750 tops.

a bit about loxton and north somerset - we have badgworth arena 15 mins drive away, hacking on mendips 15 mins away by car. Hacking on crooks peak on doorstep. Hand equestrian, cannington college, stockland lovell xc, pontispool xc, cuckoos nest xc, blackdown mendip riding club and other clubs in area. We also have beach riding 15 mins box away. Lots of people commute to bristol for work as better money.

House for sale in Loxton on rural scene - 485 - detached 4 bed stables, land etc

If looking for a livery yard loads around with diy around £25 per week.

Where can you go for beach riding? And what's it like?

what meesha said. I am north somerset! hundreds of yards! do research the area, we have had alot of theft in the area so pm me and il tell you where to steer clear from. I know you get theft anyway but is rife at the mo!

We have plenty of local comp centre, Hand ec- high class venue
Badgworth ec- does affiliated and un aff, very homely atmosphere!
stockland lovell, pontispool, rock hampton (aka dark hole!) cuckoos nest, urchinwood, sumerhouse. If you go near the motorway there are soo many of the m5 its untrue!
We are 5 mins from the motorway so just jump on that and go off places.
riding clubs- brent knoll, blackdown mendip.
riding- quantocks, beach's, medips, bridgwater way/stockland lovel has amazing hacking! beautifal place to ride! feel free to pm!

Have PM'd you