Leicestershire Country Parks for horse riding - any thoughts? (or Notts or Derbys)

barehoofhannah

Well-Known Member
Any of you in the Leicestershire/Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire area?

I'm looking for any thoughts or comments on off road riding (predominantly) thats within easy access of the M1 as I've decided I prepare driving further up or down the M1 from J25 (Nottingham) than off on A roads and smaller roads.

I've realised I've got a preference for certain things;
- lack of steep slopes on the journey there if there is a likley hood I'll need to be doing lots of stops (i.e. traffic lights on the hill)
- lots of parking spaces, so I don't risk getting there and there being no space
- ideally circular routes
- 6 miles seems to be about the mark at the minute
- not loads of lorries going along the road sections of the ride.

I've gone through the bridleways website, but it doesn't tell you the intricities of the routes.

I'd be keen to go to a couple of pubs in Woodhouse Eaves that have said I could put the horse box there, Wheatsheaf and Curzen, and don't know if I can get to the Beacon Hill Country Park, or the Broomfields one if we unloaded here. We can do roads, that's mostly not a problem, but I didn't know if there was a 'horse friendly' route or a road where it's unlikley I'll get beeped by people, from these pubs to the country parks.

Or any comments on riding.logistics in these parks or any on the below list (particularly Sence Valley)

http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/envir...ountry_parks_information/equestrian_parks.htm


I'm junction 25 M1, so any other ideas would be great. My fav at the moment is Formark Resovoir, although we had some chavs rev there engine and hoot at us last week in Ticknall whilst we grazed part way through out trip. Others are Sherwood Pines, and Carsington Water, but I go terribly terribly slowly on the winding roads, and would prefer just to still on the motorway at 50 for a little longer to get somewhere nice. Elvaston Castle/Shipley I also do.

5 pits trail is also on the to do list.

I just tend to plod around at a walk with my partner walking/biking, or I lead my youngster.

Any ideas would be most appreciated.

Many thanks
Hannah
 
Blidworth woods seemed nice when I went there, or how about the Prestwold Estate ( think they have a website)..
 
I googled national forest site and under 'loads to see and do' you can actually select horse riding only and search so was great. We went to Beacon Country Park today and Bromsfield Park and Windmill it was great, inc large stress free area for loading. Rung the other country hall as that looks lovely. Haven't been to Blidworth woods but Boyf got the maps printed and I've printed info on Ratby and Sence Valley - so thank you everyone, Hannah
 
Scence Valley is great. I used to keep my horses at a yard near there.
Also Bradgate Park. Catton Park is supposed to be good too.
Also Shipley Park near Ikleston is good.
 
I wouldn't waste your time going to bradgate park. The bridle paths are very stony, and there's lots of kids/ loose dogs/ chavs
 
I wouldn't waste your time going to bradgate park. The bridle paths are very stony, and there's lots of kids/ loose dogs/ chavs

:D It does get very busy at the weekends. I have done organised rides around there, usually in October, I've really enjoyed them, sadly yes there are a lot of loose dogs
 
I wouldn't waste your time going to bradgate park. The bridle paths are very stony, and there's lots of kids/ loose dogs/ chavs

Have to say, I've enjoyed some lovely rides across Bradgate and Swithland woods, along with ice creams and pub lunches.

Not quite sure about chavs ? -do you mean the people of Leicestershire out enjoying a walk in the medievil deer park that was bequeathed to them ?


OP, The Prestwold estate and Staunton Harold estates have riding schemes with some lovely routes too.
 
I think I'll try Bradgate on a day off or it's before 12 on a weekend so maybe something 8am early ish and lead horse around at first. Left a message with Catton Park as well. I looked about the set rides in Leicestershire but I do a lot of leadingy youngster and ride in a string hackamore and not a bit so I don't think looking at the rules I'd be able to participate (and anything remotly competition-ey brings back scary child hood anxiety, so prob keep making excuses!)

Thank you again, seems like some great stuff in Leicestershire.
I'm on a blue roan hairy cob, so look out - most likely be grazing somewhere!

Thank you
Hannah
 
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