London people- advice please!!!!

elliefiz

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Hi all,

I moved over to London from Dublin 6 months ago, leaving my eventer at home with the professional rider who competed him last season. My intention was to get settled over here and then buy a new horse for myself when I got my bonus this year- dont hold it against me but i work in banking!! anyway with the way things have gone we got no bonus and Im now horseless in London while paying to keep a horse in Ireland.

Have come to the decision that Im going to bring my guy over here and ride him myself- didnt realise just how much I would miss the horsey aspect of my life until I got here and seem to find myself at a loose end most weekends when at home i would have been out with the horses!! Also think it would be a really good way to expand my social circle- I am seriously deprived of horse talk!!
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So need advice on where would be the best place to keep a horse on the outskirts of london- im currently living in SE1 but intend to move towards the Blackheath/ Lewisham direction- the lack of greenspace around me is depressing!!
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Anyone know of any good livery yards in that direction?? Obviously have googled a couple but would like some personal recommendations!! Looking for somewhere that will do full livery as I wont have time for mucking out/ feeding, etc myself. Also want somewhere that has decent facilities and most of all friendly people!!
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any suggestions gratefully received!!
 
hello!!

thanks for that- no definitely didnt think there is livery in lewisham/ blackheath area but that direction if you know what i mean??!! I have a car so somewhere in driving distance!!
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Friends of mine have a yard out near Amersham but thats the wrong side of london for me unfortunately
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I'm assuming you work in the City/Docklands? I used to live in North London - the stables I went to then were in Trent Park - there was a thread on here about them the other day. To be honest you are going to have to head out to the very edges to find anywhere - Essex, North London, Kent or Surrey. I'm afraid wherever you end up you are going to have to commute to both your job and your horse.
 
I think Kent is what Im looking at- there are a couple of yards down there that I have seen on the internet but was hoping people on here would have personal experiences with some yards!! Dont mind commuting- I work at Docklands- dont reckon the hacking would be much good round Canary Wharf!!
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Although there is mudchute farm!! Trent Park sounds nice but North London is no good for me
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Hi There,

You should be able to find places that are easy to drive to from Blackheath.

I am very fortunate as I own a half share in land with my Mum for our horses. The land is in Kent (Tonbridge area) but I actually live in Charlton (5-10 minutes from Blackheath). I drive down to my land which takes me 45 minutes, but there are places in between (like Speedgate & Frogpool) which have great equestrian facilities & are easy to get to if you drive down the A2 / A20. Also - if you are in Blackheath you are so close to the countryside already and don't have to cross London to get to the yard.

I'll keep my eyes open for you, but you should definitely be able to find somewhere convenient from where you are. Feel free to PM me if you want any advice as you will be really close to me if you move to Blackheath. (I live almost next to the Blackwall tunnel - nice!!)
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I'm not sure but I don't think you can hack around Mudchute farm. I used to live in Docklands and I'm now in North East London. It would be just as easy to get to Canary Wharf from here as it is from Lewisham.
 
You have frogpool in chislehurst,speedgate in fawkham/west kingsdown and chelsfield has some lovely yards as well - think there are a few people on here based out that way. If you want to go out even further there are some good full livery yards around maidstone so you may be able to get a bit more for your money
 
thanks everyone for your suggestions- kent definitely sounds like the best option for me!!
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Slinkyunicorn- North london isnt really an option as i want to live South of the river- I dont know anyone in North London!!
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Bucephalus- i was just joking about hacking round Mudchute farm- i find it quite amusing that from my office window i can see the farm down there!! its very sweet!!
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Does anyone know any yards around Bexley? Someone mentioned a yard called Shannon leigh- does anyone have any experience of this yard or the area?
 
Shannon Leigh is nice. Bexley is lovely. It is quite quaint and very different to Bexleyheath. It is also very accessible from A2 & M25. It is not far from Frogpool Manor as well (for all your horse shopping needs). If there was no traffic, you could drive there in 20 minutes from Blackheath - very straightforward journey. It is just on the outskirts of Greater London so ideally located.
 
Hava a look in the Chislehurst area. There is Kemnal Manor which has good facilities. Also if you go to Frogpool Manor they should be able to give you suggestions if you go into the shop.
 
There are quite a few yards around Bexley and Chislehurst - depends what you're after, but don't expect lots of turnout.
Bromley Common or Chelsfield areas might be worth a look, or out further towards Biggin Hill and Tatsfield?
 
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