Riding centre in Surrey

JenJ

JenJ

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Having just started riding again, I've quickly realised that riding in SW London (specifically Wimbledon) is not quite what I'm looking for.

I've looked on the bhs website and found a couple of potentially suitable riding centres in Surrey - Kingston Riding Centres and Silvermere - does anyone know these two?

Or can anyone suggest any others? I'm looking along the SWT trains route from Wimbledon (particularly Dorking, Leatherhead, Clandon, Horsley, Guildford), preferably within a couple of miles max. from a station (as I'd often be walking from train to yard) and evening (after 6.30pm) lessons/hacks during the week would be a bonus as I'm frequently away at weekends and otherwise will go for weeks without riding.

Must have a school on site for lessons (the ones in Wimbledon give lessons on hacks/arena on the common). And have good varied hacking (not just next to a nice common, but have a choice of routes!)

A nice selection of big horses would be good, as I'm currently about 13 stone, so don't want to find a lovely yard only to find they only have horses up to 15.2 and I'm too heavy.

Price doesn't really matter as I'm sure they'll be cheaper than the exorbitant rates in London!

Any suggestions? I'm currently rusty, so don't minding 'wasting' my first ride as an assessment, as I'd hardly be looking to do advanced lessons anyway. So I'm willing to try out quite a few yards in order to find the 'right' one.
 
I live in Dorking and there is no longer a riding school here, the last one changed into a Livery yard. I can't think of the nearest one, they are in short supply now.
 
Kingston is ok, been there a few times. It has an indoor but it's pretty small. Hacking was ok too not great though. I'll try and think of some riding centres, I keep mine in Surrey but at a livery yard so I know a lot more about livery yards in Surrey than riding schools.

http://www.willowfarmstud.com/

This one was fairly near my old livery yard, I went to look at it for livery. Really nice facilities but it's about a 20 mintue cycle ride from Guildford station iirc, maybe a bit less than that.
 
Hi, Silvermere is ok. Does evening lessons and has a choice of big horses, nice outdoor and indoor school. Also the hacking is'nt too bad, got places where you can have a good canter. I used to work there, have a look at the website it tells you a bit more on there x
 
berry said:
Hi, Silvermere is ok. Does evening lessons and has a choice of big horses, nice outdoor and indoor school. Also the hacking is'nt too bad, got places where you can have a good canter. I used to work there, have a look at the website it tells you a bit more on there x
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Thanks, that's great to hear. I had a look at their website and thought it was quite good.

Kingston is nearest to me, and 'easiest' to get to, but guess you're restricted to riding in Richmond Park. I already run and cycle there a lot, so would like a bit of variety!

The problem with yards a bike ride away from a station is that if I travel after work, I'm not allowed to take my bike on the trains (rush hour), so a 20 minute bike ride becomes a 90 minute walk, and means no time to ride!

I really must start driving again soon...
 
If you can get to Tadworth station, there is Wildwoods Riding Centre within easy walking distance. Used to ride there and they have good horses and facilities including 2 schools, show jumping field in summer and X Country course. Hacking is very good. They did have a web site so maybe worth a look.
 
jac said:
If you can get to Tadworth station, there is Wildwoods Riding Centre within easy walking distance. Used to ride there and they have good horses and facilities including 2 schools, show jumping field in summer and X Country course. Hacking is very good. They did have a web site so maybe worth a look.
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D'oh completely forgot about Wildwoods! Seconded, I had a massive blow of confidence jumping my own horse, so went to Wildwoods for some confidence boosting lessons and the instructors were great.
 
Orchard Cottage Riding Stables is Tadworth/Kingswood way (don't know how far from a station, though). They are fabulous and I have seen men riding there.
 
Thanks all.

Tadworth isn't ideal as it's on a different line and involves a couple of changes. That said, the whole journey only takes an hour, so is an option. I saw Wildwood and did like the look of them.

Chessington looks good as it it on the same line as Wimbledon, and looks to be only 1km or so from the station.

I'll check out the site, but could I maybe PM you some stupid questions at some point Natalia?
 
I can recommend Albury Equestrian Centre near Guildford.

They have fantastic hacking there but I think it's about 6 miles from Guildford station - maybe a taxi would take you and pick you up at a certain time?

They also do lessons. Very friendly and nice horses.

http://www.surreyriding.co.uk/
 
JenJ said:
Thanks all.

Tadworth isn't ideal as it's on a different line and involves a couple of changes. That said, the whole journey only takes an hour, so is an option. I saw Wildwood and did like the look of them.

Chessington looks good as it it on the same line as Wimbledon, and looks to be only 1km or so from the station.

I'll check out the site, but could I maybe PM you some stupid questions at some point Natalia?
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You actually have a choice of rail lines at chessington . Claygate or Chessington north. I know they have a wide range of horses at Chessington Equestrian Centre. Also last winter when a lot of places were frozen to a standstill, one of the outdoor schools was still in use and of course the small indoor school.
 
Feel free to PM away!

There's about 80 horses and ponies on site from first ponies to competition horses to big weight carrying hunters so there would be something for you to ride no problem!
 
Another vote for Wildwoods here - brilliant hacking! I used to drive myself out from Tooting, I was a member of Streetcar so just took a car for a couple of hours. It is a pain to get to on the train if you're in that kind of area, but totally worth it:D
 
Personally if you're going to try Chessington I wouldnt get the train to Claygate, it's rather a long walk/bike ride and mostly uphill. I would either get train to Chessington North or to Surbiton and get the number 71 to Hook and walk up, it's about 1 mile from bus stop.
 
Ditto CEC or Silvermere - I've not tried Wildwoods. Old Barn is great for kids or nervous riders but it is all but impossible to get off the lead rein and they don't jump. So if you are established as a rider it probably isn't for you. (Plus I think thier weight limit is 12 stone). My daughter rode there for about 3 years.

Do take a good look at a map for how you would walk to CEC. Its about 20 - 30 mins on foot from Claygate and Chessington north - probably fractionally closer to Chessington North. You can store a bike reasoanbly securely at Claygate - I don't know if you could stretch to a spare second hand bike to leave there? Or you can get to CEC by Bus from Kingston if that is better? I've only ridden at CEC on my own so I can't comment on thier RS side, but the yard is good. They also have a very establsihed hireling buisness, connections to the local hunt and PC so there is lots going on.

You can't really get to Silvermere by public transport. The nearest station is a good 45 mins walk away and there is no bus route. It is probably the better stables - bigger schools, indoor and outdoor, XC course and access to off road hacking. We rode there and I had my first horse on loan there for a while. But it is all but impossible to get to without a car I'm afraid.

You could try Weylands in Esher - although I've never ridden there so I have no idea what it is like. That would be 20 mins walk from Esher station although there may be a bus.

Good luck!
 
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