Horsey Things Around-ish London-ish for Child?

lynz88

lynz88

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A friend of mine has his partner coming to visit him in a few weeks time who has an 8 year old daughter who is obsessed with horses and would like to take her to do some horsey things. He's in London but wondering if anyone knows of anything appropriate for that age in the London, Surrey, and/or Sussex area?
 
Horse Guards in Whitehall then walk up to the National Gallery and visit Stubbs' Whistle Jacket.
They also change the guard but I am not sure when.
Royal Mews are closed for the winter. Worth checking if they will be open by the time the daughter visits.
You can go on a lead rein ride in Richmond Park. Possibly in Hyde Park too.
To be honest I would forget horses and visit the great architecture, museums and art galleries that are only available in London.
 
Full changing of the guard at Horseguards - full changeover at 11am Monday/Weds/Fridays, and a smaller changeover Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and the small Household Cavalry museum there is quite good, looks into the internal stables, or at least used to.

Bar that and the occasional police horse to say hello to, there's nothing horse specific. Hopefully said partner will realise there's SO much in London to go that'll capture the eight year old's imagination.
 
Not much to do at this time of year but if they go to Hyde Park in the mornings, they might be able to see the cavalry out or at least the civilian riders exercising the horses (this would be before 8am). Before 7/8am ish and later on Sundays, they could also watch the racehorses get exercised on Epsom Downs. They could go for a ride at Stag Lodge or Hyde Park/Ross Nye. They could get a lesson on a simulator at Deen City Farm or Wimbledon Village Stables. They could get an in-hand lesson at Ham House. They could have a look and see if there are any competitions on at Brook Farm or Pachesham to spectate at. They could see some zebras at London Zoo. They could go to tack shops: College Farm or Riders & Squires.
 
Horse Guards Museum has dress ups! yes, you can put on old uniforms, and see and touch all the old bridles and saddles. You could take her to a posh riding wear shop, and just get something small [horse treats]. Hyde Park Mews used to do rides in Hyde Park [which I've done, on a cob called 'Buzz'!]

If she's super keen, the Wallace Collection has fab horse and human armour.

And what's the name of that fantastic horse bookshop, up past Victoria St. Is it still going?
 
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Skib said:
Horse Guards in Whitehall then walk up to the National Gallery and visit Stubbs' Whistle Jacket.
They also change the guard but I am not sure when.
Royal Mews are closed for the winter. Worth checking if they will be open by the time the daughter visits.
You can go on a lead rein ride in Richmond Park. Possibly in Hyde Park too.
To be honest I would forget horses and visit the great architecture, museums and art galleries that are only available in London.
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The child is only 8 yrs old! Don’t think 8 yr olds are into architecture, museums & art galleries.
 
Mari said:
The child is only 8 yrs old! Don’t think 8 yr olds are into architecture, museums & art galleries.
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Ever been to the National History Museum or Science Musuem? They are full of kids, and no not just school trips either. I think Skib’s point was more to enjoy London for what it is, rather than fixate on trying to do something only horse related, which frankly can be done better elsewhere.

Ok not horsey but London Zoo is a pretty good place to visit!
 
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If you can be bothered to go to Teddington (near Richmond) then you can visit the excellent Park Lane Stables, which is an RDA school. Their star horse is Prodny, who’s 45!
Teddington is just also a really nice area, especially of you want to escape the madness of central London.
 
I woudnt go to any RDA centre without checking first. We needed to gift some outgrown children's riding boots and jods which we eventually delivered by appointment and with difficulty. It is all to do with child protection. OH and I are 85 years old and dont have any certificate to show we are not child molesters.

Back to London. You can buy books of walks in London - some for children and some for special interest. Roman London was great with our grandchildren. And we have a book of walks through Pepys' London but that is for older people.
Mari said:
The child is only 8 yrs old! Don’t think 8 yr olds are into architecture, museums & art galleries.
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My father took me to London art galleries by the time I was 8. He would choose just 3 or 4 pictures.
He showed us architecture too. He was very keen on Christopher Wren.

These days the big galleries provide art materials for children to paint or colour. On a rainy weekend the London galleries are full of kids and push chairs.
 
Skib said:
I woudnt go to any RDA centre without checking first. We needed to gift some outgrown children's riding boots and jods which we eventually delivered by appointment and with difficulty. It is all to do with child protection. OH and I are 85 years old and dont have any certificate to show we are not child molesters.

Back to London. You can buy books of walks in London - some for children and some for special interest. Roman London was great with our grandchildren. And we have a book of walks through Pepys' London but that is for older people.

My father took me to London art galleries by the time I was 8. He would choose just 3 or 4 pictures.
He showed us architecture too. He was very keen on Christopher Wren.

These days the big galleries provide art materials for children to paint or colour. On a rainy weekend the London galleries are full of kids and push chairs.
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The one I posted about actively encourages visitors to come and see ponies-they have some stables that front onto the road as well as the yard, so you can have pony cuddles.
 
coblets said:
Not much to do at this time of year but if they go to Hyde Park in the mornings, they might be able to see the cavalry out or at least the civilian riders exercising the horses (this would be before 8am). Before 7/8am ish and later on Sundays, they could also watch the racehorses get exercised on Epsom Downs. They could go for a ride at Stag Lodge or Hyde Park/Ross Nye. They could get a lesson on a simulator at Deen City Farm or Wimbledon Village Stables. They could get an in-hand lesson at Ham House. They could have a look and see if there are any competitions on at Brook Farm or Pachesham to spectate at. They could see some zebras at London Zoo. They could go to tack shops: College Farm or Riders & Squires.
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Agreed, maybe a day out, a ride in Windsor great park, followed by a visit to Windsor Castle and prebooked lunch on a boat on Thames after?
Would need a decent weather day though. Perhaps a quick trip to Legoland also not far from Windsor.
 
My almost 8yo granddaughter loves London. Husband takes her somewhere for a day every school holiday and half term. She loves seeing stuff they're talking about at school. So monument for fire of London, museums for Egyptians and Romans. Tower of London for "real crowns!", the shard the eye and Battersea Lift for high up stuff. Pizza bus rides etc all make it fun.
I am not allowed to go as it is their thing together. I get to do horse stuff instead.
London doesn't need to be boring.
 
He's not interested in walking around London. They've been to London, he lives there, and he wants to do something "special" for daughter. It doesn't have to be London but surrounding area in the SW so Windsor could be an option and will mention that to him as well. Teddington is lovely - I used to live in Kingston and him and I would sometimes wander to Teddington so will mention Park Lane Stables to look into too. Thank you.
 
Clodagh said:
And how do they develop an interest if we don’t bother?
I loved Whistlejacket when I was taken to see him as a child.
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Agreed! 8 year old me was incredibly happy in any sort of museum and still am. They tied in beautifully with the history books I’d get from the library.

OP, there’s a few stables that do hacks out in Epping Forest that might suit. Or if you time it right, you might be able to go racing at Windsor, they’re running jumps meetings this year.
 
Would definitely 2nd Hampton Court and there is a train station there so not inaccessible from central London. It is a full day out there and right by the river, with a maze and lovely gardens.

Also it's right next door to Bushy Park iirc which has deer in it.

Just up the road from the front gate of Hampton Court is the Horserangers stables. They are a childrens' horse riding charity.

There is a website but it doesn't appear to load for me. This is the facebook page link:

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www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

Maybe if you contacted them they would permit a visit?
 
I was going to mention Windsor Great Park and possibility of racing too. Especially as OP's post specifically stated London or Surrey and Sussex ;)

Epping Forest would be another option too.

If they are able to come further South the North Downs/Surrey Hills or South Downs are beautiful with lots of pony opportunitilikes. I remember being enthralled the first time I saw racehorses on Epsom Downs as a child.

Every child is different in their likes - I struggled with finding most museums and architecture interesting as a child despite being taken to them. So completely get wanting to focus on one of their interests rather than general London-ing.
 
ThreeFurs said:
Horse Guards Museum has dress ups! yes, you can put on old uniforms, and see and touch all the old bridles and saddles. You could take her to a posh riding wear shop, and just get something small [horse treats]. Hyde Park Mews used to do rides in Hyde Park [which I've done, on a cob called 'Buzz'!]

If she's super keen, the Wallace Collection has fab horse and human armour.

And what's the name of that fantastic horse bookshop, up past Victoria St. Is it still going?
Click to expand...
Horsemanship Bookshop don't know if it's still going us3d to pop in before catching train home
 
teapot said:
Ever been to the National History Museum or Science Musuem? They are full of kids, and no not just school trips either. I think Skib’s point was more to enjoy London for what it is, rather than fixate on trying to do something only horse related, which frankly can be done better elsewhere.

Ok not horsey but London Zoo is a pretty good place to visit!
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I’m 40yo and both the NHM and the SM are still my favourite places
 
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