Why aren't there any guide books for country rides?

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Or are there?

I was in Go Outdoors yesterday and there were hundreds of books about where to walk and where to cycle. Great railway walks and motorcycle rides even get their own TV programs. Why are there no horse riding guide books?

I've never even seen any in horse shops, just books about how to ride, how to jump and how to care for horses, etc. I know you can attempt to work it out on ordinance survey maps and the bridleways website is helpful, but they aren't nice, easy books to read covering each area like walkers and cyclists can get.

Would anyone like to write some or tell me where they're hiding please? :)
 
The BHS publishes them, but they ended up with a stack of books on the shelves and a lot of money tied up in print.

Some County Councils publish routes on their own websites or have links to local bridlepath groups who publish routes.

I agree that it is hard that there isn't some sort of central register. Try contacting the BHS Access Department and ask them if there is a bridlepath group in your area they can put you in touch with.

(NB my local bridlepath group does publish routes, but you have to be a member as the parking for horseboxes is mostly on private land).
 
That looks good Rhino. It would just be good to know of more places to box to and ride (when my horse is better). There are a few leaflets about local rides but they're a bit feeble compared to all the information out there for other outdoor stuff.
 
There were at least two books printed, I have them!
One is The Bridleways of Britain (Whittet Books) other is Bridleways of Britain by Elwyn Hartley Edwards; don't know if any have been printed since those. They cover most of the LD paths and others. There used to be paperbacks called Oxford on Horseback (replace name with other counties too) which were very good too, lots of local paths.

Have you looked on the LDR site or on your council's site, they should give details of local byways for you too.
 
Maesfen said:
There were at least two books printed, I have them!
One is The Bridleways of Britain (Whittet Books) other is Bridleways of Britain by Elwyn Hartley Edwards; don't know if any have been printed since those. They cover most of the LD paths and others.
Click to expand...

Just ordered them from Amazon - worth a punt, thanks for the recommendation
 
Cheshire East have just put out maps for 2 long distance loops in the Styal Wilmslow, Mobberley Ollerton and Peover areas. About 18 miles each loop. The maps are on their website and also on the Border Bridleways site. I know this is not exactly what you asked but I was heavily involved in putting together these routes and therefore have a vested interest in them being publicised.
 
Maybe we should have a 'sticky' on here with all the off riding locations, permits, toll rides etc - especially as riding on roads is getting more dangerous !!
 
I am writing one :D

Only problem is I was trying to ride all the ones I can, and the impending baby has thrown a spanner in it :D

Will keep you posted. I'm concentrating on routes where you cab go for more than one day and stay over.
 
I tend to use bing.com and then the OS map function (or I have an OS maps app on my HTC phone) to find bridleways but I absolutely agree there need to be more books! Sign me up for one Patterdale I could even tell you about Cambridgeshire with all it's highly ordinary agricultural landscapes :-D

A lot of the bridleways round here have hidden hazards like some sort of military testing range on one to ride through?!?! What great planning, never actually been active when I have been there but may be a shock for someone someday!

The Emagin.org thing actually looks like it could have great potential (I am quite into mapping as I do stuff like that at uni...nerd) but like many things it needs a lot of input and commitment from lots of people nationwide, let the equestrians unite!
 
Our local bridleways group produced one for our area, the bigger version has pages that you can take out and put in a map pocket thingy, they are very good and all have been ridden by members of the group. I would be happy to post copies out if people pm and are willing to pay £5 (for the groups funds)
 
Do any of these things tell you where to park. Its always my worry that I will be stuck with a trailer, narrow country lanes and no where safe to leave it.
 
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