k1nda_b0red
New User
Hey, I was wondering if anyone knew of any good beaches for riding (that I could take my horse to) within a few hours of London?
Thanks x
Thanks x
Local beach riding
- Thread starter k1nda_b0red
- Start date
Skib
Well-Known Member
OH and I rode on the beach at Studland Bay Dorset from the riding school there. However, that was some time ago and safety concerns seem now to limit their beach riding to the winter months. It seems similar in other riding schools near the seaside There is a big public car park at Studland and it is worth investigating.
If you are taking your own horse there is no alternative to searching local authority notices about when horses are allowed on beaches like Camber Sands and paying attention to tide tables. Looking at riding schools which offer beach rides in Sussex etc will also point you to beaches where horses are allowed.
I have ridden on beaches only when invited to join friends, or in USA when I had started learning and feared I might forget how to ride, if I went a whole month without sitting on a hrse.
Pics of horse riders on beaches conjure up a wonderful experience. When I have ridden on a beach it hasnt been such paradise. At Studland the breakwaters divide the beach into sections and I did not yet have the cantering skills to charge along the sand on a horse I didnt know.
In California long ago, OH and I found the beach where we rode Western was tiny and crowded with sun beds and people and umbrellas.
I suspect that the best time to ride on a beach is either very early in the morning or during the winter, when there are no holiday makers.
The Household Cavalry ride at Holkham which is a beautiful beach where OH and I have walked and I would love to ride but I had a look on line and it seems that holiday makers and horses may be segregated there and horse riding allowed only in the winter. The map shows there is a bridle path leading to the sands which avoids the footpath. But I didnt work out the practicalities, as OH asnd I are now too ancient to drive that far.
If you are taking your own horse there is no alternative to searching local authority notices about when horses are allowed on beaches like Camber Sands and paying attention to tide tables. Looking at riding schools which offer beach rides in Sussex etc will also point you to beaches where horses are allowed.
I have ridden on beaches only when invited to join friends, or in USA when I had started learning and feared I might forget how to ride, if I went a whole month without sitting on a hrse.
Pics of horse riders on beaches conjure up a wonderful experience. When I have ridden on a beach it hasnt been such paradise. At Studland the breakwaters divide the beach into sections and I did not yet have the cantering skills to charge along the sand on a horse I didnt know.
In California long ago, OH and I found the beach where we rode Western was tiny and crowded with sun beds and people and umbrellas.
I suspect that the best time to ride on a beach is either very early in the morning or during the winter, when there are no holiday makers.
The Household Cavalry ride at Holkham which is a beautiful beach where OH and I have walked and I would love to ride but I had a look on line and it seems that holiday makers and horses may be segregated there and horse riding allowed only in the winter. The map shows there is a bridle path leading to the sands which avoids the footpath. But I didnt work out the practicalities, as OH asnd I are now too ancient to drive that far.
Surbie
Well-Known Member
Hayling Island is awesome.
wetnwindy
New User
Is there anything sussex way?
The Xmas Furry
Old Timer
Yes, see Surbie's post above yours.
teapot
Well-Known Member
Hayling (albeit just into Hants) Wittering/Braklesham or Climping
MuddyMonster
Well-Known Member
You've already had good suggestions - I loved Hayling.
The only thing I'd add is to check during the Spring/Summer months when access is allowed - often it is restricted to early morning or evenings, so will just need to match up tide times to the times you are allowed on
Have fun!
The only thing I'd add is to check during the Spring/Summer months when access is allowed - often it is restricted to early morning or evenings, so will just need to match up tide times to the times you are allowed on
Have fun!
teapot
Well-Known Member
Also be acutely aware it can be a dangerous place, especially if you don't know the beach or local tides. A horse was lost and a vet flown to hospital last night from Hayling 
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Burnerbee
Well-Known Member
Oh dear, I didn’t hear about that. But my aunt lived and rode on Hayling for most of her life and she had many stories about horses succumbing to the sandAlso be acutely aware it can be a dangerous place, especially if you don't know the beach or local tides. A horse was lost and a vet flown to hospital last night from Hayling
teapot
Well-Known Member
Oh dear, I didn’t hear about that. But my aunt lived and rode on Hayling for most of her life and she had many stories about horses succumbing to the sand
Actually turned out to be a freak accident, but they still faced racing against the tide to recover the horse's body.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Rather than go there and back in the day, could you possibly make a weekend of it or a midweek break? If so, I would recommend Field Farm in Lincolnshire. Fab stables, each horse has a turnout pen, there is glamping and cottages or you can stay in your horsebox or a caravan.
H has been there twice and had a blast each time. They will advise on best times to ride. They also have a XC course and jumping arena, plus separate dressage arena (I think, but TBH I didn't go there to drill dressage so I might be wrong about that!).
It may be worth the trip for a 2 night stay or something. That's what we did, 2 nights and beach and XC riding.
The photo in my avatar was taken there. The sun comes up from the sea and makes for fabulous photos.
We have a beach a heck of a lot closer for day trips, but this place is still worth a stay over as the beach itself is generally empty.
ETA a link...
You can also take dogs!
H has been there twice and had a blast each time. They will advise on best times to ride. They also have a XC course and jumping arena, plus separate dressage arena (I think, but TBH I didn't go there to drill dressage so I might be wrong about that!).
It may be worth the trip for a 2 night stay or something. That's what we did, 2 nights and beach and XC riding.
The photo in my avatar was taken there. The sun comes up from the sea and makes for fabulous photos.
We have a beach a heck of a lot closer for day trips, but this place is still worth a stay over as the beach itself is generally empty.
ETA a link...
You can also take dogs!