Taking your horse to Hyde Park

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PaulnasherryRocky

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Has anybody ever taken their horse to Hyde Park, or Regents park?

It's something I've always wanted to do (even though I know it will be busy and no chance of a good canter!). I'd like to ride the 5 mile bridleway around Hyde Park but would obviously need to plan it well as being stuck in the middle of London with a horse and trailer could be a disaster!

Does anybody know where I could park a trailer that's near enough to ride to the park from?

If you do know somewhere to park a trailer, how much does it cost?

Are there any restrictions on when you can or can't go there?

I've seen there are a few riding schools around the park- but it's just not the same as being on your own horse!

Thanks!
 
Auslander said:
As far as I know - only customers of the riding stables by Hyde Park, or the Household Cavalry/Royal Mews are allowed to ride in the park
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Oh I didn't know this - It only came to mind when someone I used to be stabled with said she used to do it every new years day. Unfortunately she doesn't have a horse any more and I don't know any contacts to be able to get hold of her again.

Maybe I'll do some more looking in to it, thanks for your reply
 
I used to regularly ride in Hyde Park when I kept my horse in Mill Hill/Totteridge and used to hack through London to Hyde Park via Oxford Circus, Regent Street, Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and across Hyde Park Corner (there is an equine crossing there in to Hyde Park) . Where are you coming from?
p.s you are not meant to ride in Regents Park. I used to ride round the outer circle through the Zoo (Giraffes to the left and wolves to the right)!
 
OWLIE185 said:
I used to regularly ride in Hyde Park when I kept my horse in Mill Hill/Totteridge and used to hack through London to Hyde Park via Oxford Circus, Regent Street, Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and across Hyde Park Corner (there is an equine crossing there in to Hyde Park) . Where are you coming from?
p.s you are not meant to ride in Regents Park. I used to ride round the outer circle through the Zoo (Giraffes to the left and wolves to the right)!
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Oh so it might be worth parking further away and then hacking there. I'm coming from Harpenden so would definitely need to trailer somewhere! I didn't realise that about regents park either!

Basically I've been checking out these bridleway maps and planning to see as many different places as possible:
http://www.bridlewaymap.com/

Sounds great riding around the zoo! did you ever have any problems re police or vars/buses by not appreciating a horse in their way?
 
OWLIE185 said:
I used to regularly ride in Hyde Park when I kept my horse in Mill Hill/Totteridge and used to hack through London to Hyde Park via Oxford Circus, Regent Street, Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and across Hyde Park Corner (there is an equine crossing there in to Hyde Park) . Where are you coming from?
p.s you are not meant to ride in Regents Park. I used to ride round the outer circle through the Zoo (Giraffes to the left and wolves to the right)!
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In fact I meant Richmond Park not Regents - my bad!
 
Now that is SERIOUSLY bombproof OWLIE - respect!

As far as I know anyone who wants can ride in Hyde Park. Parking will be the problem, Sunday is obviously the best day.

My single yellow line knowledge is a bit out of date, but I'm thinking the north-south road through the park, which passes the Serpentine Gallery......

May be worth phoning Knightsbridge Barracks and asking for local advice.

Most London drivers will expect horses to be pretty bombproof (mainly police neds and army), and bus drivers tend to be the spawn of Satan in any case!
 
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turnbuckle said:
Now that is SERIOUSLY bombproof OWLIE - respect!

As far as I know anyone who wants can ride in Hyde Park. Parking will be the problem, Sunday is obviously the best day.

My single yellow line knowledge is a bit out of date, but I'm thinking the north-south road through the park, which passes the Serpentine Gallery......

May be worth phoning Knightsbridge Barracks and asking for local advice.
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Ah perfect- it's finding out who to call for this information that's the hard part! I will give them a go.
 
This might be a good first call: Royal Parks on 0300 061 2000

Might be a toss-up between being super helpful and Oh No You Can't Park Here. If the latter, don't give up!

If you want to make a long day of it, Richmond Park is STUNNING in the autumn. May be on track only, depends how wet it's been, but even that gets you to soem great places. Stags are belling now, wild sound. And if you do go there, don't miss the coffee stall at Pen Ponds Car Park, a real Calabrian village feel. If you're lucky, the soft ice cream mix will be the one made by a retired Italian schoolmaster and is amazing.

PS Obv box between Hyde and Richmond. DO NOT try to hack.
 
Give the Royal Parks a ring - they're know the correct details with regards to riding and where, and parking for Richmond if you're allowed too. Watch out for the deer though and can be super boggy in parts, even on the tracks. Windsor's another option (the one I'd choose) and believe you can get permits to do so.

I'm 99% sure you can't ride in Hyde Park unless you're using one of the local stables, are Met Police or are Calvary/King's Troop. One of the imitations of being a Royal Park.
 
Windsor has some great riding and lots of it, much more room for a leg-stretch, but it sort fo feels like any other big park (obv with a very fine Castle attached) whereas bits of Richmond are quite magical....ancient ancient oaks and in parts (in the right weather) you could be in the middle of the Highlands. Dawn over Pen Ponds if there's a mist is wonderful too, like a Chinese scroll.

Interesting to hear who's right on Hyde Park....
 
Oh how daft. Makes me livid. I'm an ex-Londoner and most of it's a dump but the best bits are wonderful and people should be able to enjoy them....

I'd just turn up and see what they say, rotten jobsworths.

I still think it's worth phoning and checking, if it doesn't say FORBIDDEN they may just be looking to put people off.
 
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Anyone can ride in Hyde Park - absolutely no restrictions apart from not Galloping.
The same applies to Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common.
Hampstead Heath is good fun as well.
If you are going to park down there do it very early in the morning and park up just as the park opens up. But make sure that no one parks behind you so that you can load drop your rear ramp and load up.
I will p.m. you Paulnasheryrock now and give you my contact details so if you want further info on where to park etc. I will be happy to help you.
 
OWLIE185 said:
Anyone can ride in Hyde Park - absolutely no restrictions apart from not Galloping.
The same applies to Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common.
Hampstead Heath is good fun as well.
If you are going to park down there do it very early in the morning and park up just as the park opens up. But make sure that no one parks behind you so that you can load drop your rear ramp and load up.
I will p.m. you Paulnasheryrock now and give you my contact details so if you want further info on where to park etc. I will be happy to help you.
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Fantastic, thank you very much!
 
OWLIE185 said:
- absolutely no restrictions apart from not Galloping.
The same applies to Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common.
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I may have broken that one on a polo pony I used to exercise :)

And a friend used to hit 3/4 pace in Hyde Park now and again, but perhaps the Army are allowed to!
 
To be honest given how busy Hyde Park is these days, I wouldn't actually want to ride in it anyway. It's bad enough walking through with the tourists, the joggers, Boris bikes, speedy cyclists, school kids etc.

Richmond or Windsor on the other hand...
 
A year later and I have finally got round to booking my permit to park with the horse trailer (going for Richmond Park!)

Is there a way to find out if it will be "off track" or "on track" riding? Given that it is winter I would assume it is On Track only, but would like to just be sure!
 
Hi, Riding in Hyde Park is a superb experience. I've done it twice, on my own horse, while taking part in Horseman's Sunday church service at nearby St Johns, organised by Ross Nye and his daughter of Ross Nye Stables.
Parking is in the north park road which runs parallel with the outside north public road. You have to arrange a parking permit with the Parks Authority first so phone the number quoted in a previous post.
Go on a Sunday as it's quieter traffic in London and the Congestion Charge doesn't apply, but check your vehicle to see if either the Low Emission Zone or the new (about to be introduced or has been introduced?) diesel charge apply, as either of these could make it an expensive day out for you. (I have an old diesel Fourtrak so LEZ didn't apply to me, the new diesel charge would apply but as Horseman's Sunday was held for the last (and 50th) time this year, it's not going to concern me.
You can search for and download a map of Hyde Park and where to ride. There's about 1.5-2 hours worth of riding in walk with a bit of roadwork. Rotten Row is the famous and wide sandy canter strip which is a mile long. No galloping in the park. Ask a tourist to take photos of you cantering along Rotten Row. All the tourists will want to pat and stroke your horse too.
Well worth going. Enjoy!!!!
 
Suechoccy said:
Hi, Riding in Hyde Park is a superb experience. I've done it twice, on my own horse, while taking part in Horseman's Sunday church service at nearby St Johns, organised by Ross Nye and his daughter of Ross Nye Stables.
Parking is in the north park road which runs parallel with the outside north public road. You have to arrange a parking permit with the Parks Authority first so phone the number quoted in a previous post.
Go on a Sunday as it's quieter traffic in London and the Congestion Charge doesn't apply, but check your vehicle to see if either the Low Emission Zone or the new (about to be introduced or has been introduced?) diesel charge apply, as either of these could make it an expensive day out for you. (I have an old diesel Fourtrak so LEZ didn't apply to me, the new diesel charge would apply but as Horseman's Sunday was held for the last (and 50th) time this year, it's not going to concern me.
You can search for and download a map of Hyde Park and where to ride. There's about 1.5-2 hours worth of riding in walk with a bit of roadwork. Rotten Row is the famous and wide sandy canter strip which is a mile long. No galloping in the park. Ask a tourist to take photos of you cantering along Rotten Row. All the tourists will want to pat and stroke your horse too.
Well worth going. Enjoy!!!!
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Thank you Suechoccy, Sounds amazing! We have opted for Richmond Park this time but want to do Hyde Park as well in the near future, than you for the parking info and low emission zone tips, I hadn't thought about the low emission zone bit, only congestion charge!
 
Yes, will be on-track only.

Expect cars to be not very horse-aware and you may get horse-chasing dogs, also be prepared for the deer, they spook some horses. Lots of places for a good burn if you're sure no-one is watching....:)

And a top tip:

Look for Pen Ponds car park, you can get to it using roads off-limits to private cars. The coffee stall is brilliant, lovely Calabrian family. If you are lucky they will have soft ice-cream made by a retired Italian schoolmaster, best I have EVER had! Even if not, the bacon rolls and coffee are excellent!

Suggest a weekday. Go early as poss if a weekend. And ENJOY - if the weather is right the scenery can be utterly magical.

Feel free to pm me!
 
turnbuckle said:
Yes, will be on-track only.

Expect cars to be not very horse-aware and you may get horse-chasing dogs, also be prepared for the deer, they spook some horses. Lots of places for a good burn if you're sure no-one is watching....:)

And a top tip:

Look for Pen Ponds car park, you can get to it using roads off-limits to private cars. The coffee stall is brilliant, lovely Calabrian family. If you are lucky they will have soft ice-cream made by a retired Italian schoolmaster, best I have EVER had! Even if not, the bacon rolls and coffee are excellent!

Suggest a weekday. Go early as poss if a weekend. And ENJOY - if the weather is right the scenery can be utterly magical.

Feel free to pm me!
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This has made me so exited to go!! we are going in the week between christmas and new year so i'm not sure if it will be quieter than usual or massively busy because of the christmas break! I will 100% be paying that coffee stall a visit then!!
 
Yes I have, it was fab, we galloped down rotten row early in the morning took in Marble Arch and trotted around the Serpentine like we owned it. It was a real bucket list thing to do and actually the sandy paths are gorgeous to ride along.
We applied to the park for a permit to park the horsebox up, i still have it somewhere as it's a memento. I just told them the date and time and parked up and off I went. I happened to live near London at the time. Only hints and tips I can offer is expect the public to treat you like you're on a police horse, they don't know they shouldn't roll their wheely luggage straight at you or step out in front of you suddently or run at you or cycle straight at you etc etc it's really obvious that London folk only know good well behaved horses, not 'normal' horses and go early as you can to avoid lots of crowds. It's a fab experience and I always wanted to gallop up rotten row and boy it doesn't disappoint!
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Talking about Richmond Park has brought back some lovely memories. My uncle used to be the forester/ranger there and lived in one of the lodges so Mum used to take me up there in my pushchair to visit! Also I spent many a happy hour in the park with my then boyfriend, especially walking round Pen ponds. It was somewhere free to visit, bit like Kew Gardens, which was only 3d in old money to get in !
 
I rode Hyde park a few years ago not enough hacking to make the journey worth while in my opinion, best thing was everyone thought I was super rich with a town house and stables opposite the park which I do, but prefer to spend my time out in my Basildon country retreat.
For info both ends of Rotton row are open to three lanes of traffic so it would not do to fall off.

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