Livery in Surrey (particularly Esher/Cobham/within reach of A3)

T

Twiglet

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 September 2004
Messages
8,368
Location
Clapham
Visit site
I may start horse shopping in the next couple of months (:D) and have been looking at potential yards within driving distance of SW London. Am looking for a yard offering full livery, with a decent school (with floodlights), good turn out, good hacking, and nice people.No idea what horse I'm getting yet, although I don't intend on buying transport, so probably won't be competing a lot to start with.
The below yards seem to be within a decent distance - anyone know of them, or anything else fitting the bill? Preferably inside the M25.

http://www.tlcequestrian.co.uk/
http://www.cobhamparkstables.com/_index.htm
http://www.glanmire.co.uk/2.html
http://www.lodgeliveries.com/
http://www.sloughfarmparklane.com/#/slough-farm/4529051639
http://headleyparkfarm.com/
 
Slough is DIY only. There are people who you can pay for assisted, but it's in no way full livery.

Chessington Equestrian Centre does full/part/working livery

Not sure how often vacancies come up at Headley Park Farm. A friend has just moved there but they've only got about 10 boxes.
 
Owlbrooks Competition Yard. No idea if Bev has any spaces but has a 60 x 40 new floodlight school with lights and mirrors. I go there for clinics some times and it is a very smart and well run yard. She is also lovely and yard is very secure. They are in Ripley so literally - just off the A3 (turning after M25). As a guide - Putney Hill to Ripley would take me just under 30 minutes. My yard is further in but it would take one of liveries (who has just moved out of Clapham) 40 - 45 minutes to get to us. I am at Denbies and prices/details are on the website (We are in Dorking)
 
If it's not too far (is out of the M25 zone), recommend Oldencraig, great yard with knowledgable people running it. Also has comps there most weekends, so no need to really leave the property! Otherwise can recommend the Durdans Stables in Epsom. Great group of liveries & beautiful facilities. Not too sure if there is any availabilities there though
 
Luci07 said:
Owlbrooks Competition Yard. No idea if Bev has any spaces but has a 60 x 40 new floodlight school with lights and mirrors. I go there for clinics some times and it is a very smart and well run yard. She is also lovely and yard is very secure. They are in Ripley so literally - just off the A3 (turning after M25). As a guide - Putney Hill to Ripley would take me just under 30 minutes. My yard is further in but it would take one of liveries (who has just moved out of Clapham) 40 - 45 minutes to get to us. I am at Denbies and prices/details are on the website (We are in Dorking)
Click to expand...

Thanks, will check out Owlbrooks too.

Denbies is lovely too, but looks a little too far for me.
 
missparis said:
If it's not too far (is out of the M25 zone), recommend Oldencraig, great yard with knowledgable people running it. Also has comps there most weekends, so no need to really leave the property! Otherwise can recommend the Durdans Stables in Epsom. Great group of liveries & beautiful facilities. Not too sure if there is any availabilities there though
Click to expand...

Thanks Missparis - you've actually recommended Durdans before, and it's on my list. It's full at the moment, but as I'm not horse shopping just yet, I'd try and get on the waiting list if it was the right yard.

Oldencraig is lovely but far too far, and a bit too 'busy' for my liking :)
 
Twiglet said:
Thanks, will check out Owlbrooks too.

Denbies is lovely too, but looks a little too far for me.
Click to expand...


I thought it might be!. I lived in Fulham for over 12 years and had livery in Ockham so am fully "up" on the journey times!. And that was on part livery so done most evenings!

Thinking about it, it is worth maybe writing down what your priorities are to you as well. When I lived in London I wanted a yard not too far away, that I could be down at late with a large floodlight school. I got that but compromised on the hacking. I moved yards later when good hacking became more important but still needed the whole "being late at night" context. In my case as well I need a yard that is dog friendly too as don't want to leave my dogs behind. You will also find that most yards end up having a "steer" as well on certain disciplines so Bev is a bit of all rounder and has visiting trainers (SJ and DR), we seem to be going down the eventing route (great for me!) which does mean people always going out and doing the whole DR, SJ and XC constantly.

Oldencraig is a lovely yard and if I was focused on dressage I would really think about it but not if you want the hacking as well. Its also quite a way down though if you are looking for something close. One of my friends was there for a long time and loved it but sadly one of her horses took against dressage in a big way (as in "enough!") so moved hers out - still keeps in touch with them all though and I do compete there.

Make a short list and have a look around. Also collar the liveries and see if you like them! I spend so much time at my yard and it is also a big part of my social life so need to feel really comfortable there.
 
Luci07 said:
I thought it might be!. I lived in Fulham for over 12 years and had livery in Ockham so am fully "up" on the journey times!. And that was on part livery so done most evenings!

Thinking about it, it is worth maybe writing down what your priorities are to you as well. When I lived in London I wanted a yard not too far away, that I could be down at late with a large floodlight school. I got that but compromised on the hacking. I moved yards later when good hacking became more important but still needed the whole "being late at night" context. In my case as well I need a yard that is dog friendly too as don't want to leave my dogs behind. You will also find that most yards end up having a "steer" as well on certain disciplines so Bev is a bit of all rounder and has visiting trainers (SJ and DR), we seem to be going down the eventing route (great for me!) which does mean people always going out and doing the whole DR, SJ and XC constantly.

Oldencraig is a lovely yard and if I was focused on dressage I would really think about it but not if you want the hacking as well. Its also quite a way down though if you are looking for something close. One of my friends was there for a long time and loved it but sadly one of her horses took against dressage in a big way (as in "enough!") so moved hers out - still keeps in touch with them all though and I do compete there.

Make a short list and have a look around. Also collar the liveries and see if you like them! I spend so much time at my yard and it is also a big part of my social life so need to feel really comfortable there.
Click to expand...

All very good points :D I currently ride down past Guildford, and my boyfriend is out in Pirbright, so I spend loooots of time on the A3 as it is....I have a feeling I will be seeing even more of it!

I'm going to try and look for a flatwork focussed yard, but with decent hacking. I'd hope to do some dressage but if I'm honest one of the reasons I want a horse is to chill out, and hacking is what will do that!

I will definitely be scoping the liveries out. I've made some of my best friends through livery yards :)
 
vam said:
If you want good hackinig then i can recommend Durdens, i have a few friends there and if i could afford it i would be there like a shot :D Its a really nice mix of people there.
I know of a couple more round that way you might be getting to far out.
This sounds nice
http://www.woodruffestables.co.uk/
http://www.chalkpitfarmstables.co.uk/

Good luck with the yard and horse hunting :)
Click to expand...

Two more good options to add to the list - thanks for that.

Durdens looks lovely, as does Woodruffe....am going to try and visit them at the weekend :)
 
I used to be around that area and the last yard i was at was Greenfield Farm...lovely yard, most people been there years which always speaks volumes...well managed and facilities. Lovely turnout and hacking. run by a lady calld claire with a wealth of experience.
http://www.greenfieldfarmstables.webeden.co.uk/
highly recommended! she put up with me and my mare for a start!!
 
We were at Chalkpit (link above) before OH started his own yard and I'd highly recommend them. They do a superb job of looking after the horses, the YO is sane and sensible and the people certainly back then were very friendly. Given the family who run it, I'm sure they still are. The hacking is great too.
 
PitPony said:
I used to be around that area and the last yard i was at was Greenfield Farm...lovely yard, most people been there years which always speaks volumes...well managed and facilities. Lovely turnout and hacking. run by a lady calld claire with a wealth of experience.
http://www.greenfieldfarmstables.webeden.co.uk/
highly recommended! she put up with me and my mare for a start!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for this, have added to the shortlist. It's a bit too far, but might be worth a look.
 
It is nearer to the A3 than Bookham...about 10 mins off and you are there if that is of any help...it is between Chalkpit Lane and the A3.
It is always tricky when looking for a yard...a pro and cons list is needed...but you often just feel its right once you visit...
Good luck!
 
PitPony said:
It is nearer to the A3 than Bookham...about 10 mins off and you are there if that is of any help...it is between Chalkpit Lane and the A3.
It is always tricky when looking for a yard...a pro and cons list is needed...but you often just feel its right once you visit...
Good luck!
Click to expand...

I've done a spreadsheet :p I think I've got to try the journeys out and see what's quickest....I'm in Clapham so whilst the A3 can be faster, it's probably a shorter distance to get to Epsom on the A24.
I agree though, it's a question of finding 'the one', and seeing what feels right :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top