Winchester folk?!?

[Shoreditch]

Hello!

Long time lurking here looking for some suggestions, please

I was wondering if there was anybody who lives in, around or between Winchester/Newbury who could recommend any DIY yards?

Am moving into the area with my two horses and really struggling to find a yard which offers DIY and has facilities. We are looking at Winchester, Whitchurch and Newbury as locations and where we end up is dependent on finding the right yard for the horses.

If anyone has any suggestions or recommendations I would be very grateful as starting to feel somewhat desperate while my OH is beginning to lose patience.

Thanks in advance

 

[Michen]

My horses are in Whitchurch (well, just outside). Brilliant yard but no more DIY spaces (being phased out) or any spaces at all at the moment I'm afraid. There is a real shortage of DIY yards but many more options if you go part livery.

There is a nice enough DIY yard in Highclere, just outside Newbury that would be worth a shout. I don't have the number anymore but if you drive through Highclere, just after the national speed limit (going towards Andover) is a right hand turning down a track. Yard is half way down past a house. You've gone too far if you go past a pub called the Pheasant (not the red house!).

I don't know any yards in the Winchester area itself I'm afraid.

 

[Shoreditch]

Thank you.

Is that the one in Cole Henley? (Outside Whitchurch) I really liked it but as you say (if the same one), no spaces ?

I will definitely try and find the one in Highclere, thank you.

I didn't realise finding a decent yard would be so tricky. Love the area though and looking forwards to getting settled.

 

[Michen]

Thank you.

Is that the one in Cole Henley? (Outside Whitchurch) I really liked it but as you say (if the same one), no spaces ?

I will definitely try and find the one in Highclere, thank you.

I didn't realise finding a decent yard would be so tricky. Love the area though and looking forwards to getting settled.

Yes. My friend runs it and it's absolutely brilliant but spaces are rare.

I'll get the number for the Highclere yard and PM you with it. It's basic but ok and good value for money.

There really is a shortage of yards! Also worth a try maybe is West Stoke Equestrian, think they do DIY.

I'm sure there's a DIY yard in Hannington but no idea where or who, a facebook post/search may help.

 

[Shoreditch]

Yes. My friend runs it and it's absolutely brilliant but spaces are rare.

I'll get the number for the Highclere yard and PM you with it. It's basic but ok and good value for money.

There really is a shortage of yards! Also worth a try maybe is West Stoke Equestrian, think they do DIY.

I'm sure there's a DIY yard in Hannington but no idea where or who, a facebook post/search may help.

I really appreciate your help, thank you. Facebook has been a bit of a nightmare and lots of recommendations for full livery which is not what I am after. I looked at one in Hannington but it had no facilities and fields were over-grazed ?

Moving from an area where we are a bit spoilt for choice re yards and am starting to feel somewhat despondent about the possibility of ever finding anywhere half as nice as where I am now.

 

[Michen]

I really appreciate your help, thank you. Facebook has been a bit of a nightmare and lots of recommendations for full livery which is not what I am after. I looked at one in Hannington but it had no facilities and fields were over-grazed ?

Moving from an area where we are a bit spoilt for choice re yards and am starting to feel somewhat despondent about the possibility of ever finding anywhere half as nice as where I am now.

No prob.

The fields in Highclere yard aren't great but I managed there ok for several years.

I feel for you as it really is tough. You may find more options in the Tadley sort of area, or more "remote" hampshire such as Swanmore, Alresford, East Meon etc... bit more land and space if you are flexible on where you go.

Short of that I'd really consider part if you can stretch to it as you will open up your options so much more but I know it's a lot of money with 2!

 

[Michen]

Oh maybe try Sparsholt college? Think they maybe do DIY..

 

[scruffyponies]

Does Hurstbourne equestrian (Matt Hicks) do DIY?
Maybe also Park Farm (Oakley)

 

[Michen]

Does Hurstbourne equestrian (Matt Hicks) do DIY?
Maybe also Park Farm (Oakley)

No DIY at Hustbourne for sure, Park farm I don't think do either.

 

[Shoreditch]

No prob.

The fields in Highclere yard aren't great but I managed there ok for several years.

I feel for you as it really is tough. You may find more options in the Tadley sort of area, or more "remote" hampshire such as Swanmore, Alresford, East Meon etc... bit more land and space if you are flexible on where you go.

Short of that I'd really consider part if you can stretch to it as you will open up your options so much more but I know it's a lot of money with 2!

I may have to look into part, although, as you say, more money with two. I guess I have to decide what my priorities are.

Don't really want to be too rural. I love Whitchurch as, while it feels like the countryside, have all the amenities we need/want as well as links to London, which is important for work for both OH and myself (somewhat less now we are working predominantly from home).

I think I will be spending another weekend driving between Winchester and Newbury looking for signs of equestrian life.

Thanks again for all your suggestions, I will follow up on them and hopefully something will come to fruition.

 

[scruffyponies]

OP, have you left notes on the gates up Priory Lane in Freefolk? You might get lucky with one of the private yards up there.
So much happens by word of mouth, so speak to everyone (vets, feed merchants etc), and leave notes at Calcutts, Mole valley etc.

 

[Shoreditch]

Does Hurstbourne equestrian (Matt Hicks) do DIY?
Maybe also Park Farm (Oakley)

Hi, thanks for your response.

Matt Hicks doesn't, unfortunately. Would be ideal if he did but it's full only.

I looked at Park Farm and it just felt very "riding school" like (realise this is perhaps because it was one previously). Also I worried that getting to use either school would be a bit of a bellyache as there are so many liveries, plus herd turnout which I would rather avoid if at all possible.

God - I sound so picky.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

There is a place near North Waltham called Willowdown. I used to live locally to it and it always looks very neat and tidy. They do assisted DIY.

 

[Shoreditch]

OP, have you left notes on the gates up Priory Lane in Freefolk? You might get lucky with one of the private yards up there.
So much happens by word of mouth, so speak to everyone (vets, feed merchants etc), and leave notes at Calcutts, Mole valley etc.

I haven't. I did see there were fields behind the houses but from looking none seemed to have an arena (which is a deal breaker for me). Also, unlike most, I really like being on a yard as do my horses so think I would avoid sole use if possible.

 

[Shoreditch]

There is a place near North Waltham called Willowdown. I used to live locally to it and it always looks very neat and tidy. They do assisted DIY.

Thank you. I will pop over there this weekend and see if I can speak with the owner/manager. It's a little further towards Basingstoke than I would like but at this point I think I am going to have to be flexible.

 

[scruffyponies]

You might also want to look out towards Andover.
https://www.bluebellliveries.co.uk/Our-Facilities

 

[Shoreditch]

You might also want to look out towards Andover.
https://www.bluebellliveries.co.uk/Our-Facilities

I actually looked at Bluebells but it's just too far from any of the places we are interested in living (on the other side of Andover towards Tidworth). It's a nice yard, shame I can't move it 30miles east.

 

[nikicb]

I have done a few clinics at Norton Farm which is just off the A34 just south of Whitchurch. Not sure whether they do DIY, but nice facilities and friendly people.

https://www.facebook.com/Nortonliveryhants/

 

[Shoreditch]

I have done a few clinics at Norton Farm which is just off the A34. Not sure whether they do DIY, but nice facilities and friendly people.

https://www.facebook.com/Nortonliveryhants/

Thank you. Someone else recommended Norton to me just yesterday. I will contact them today ?

 

[Michen]

I have done a few clinics at Norton Farm which is just off the A34 just south of Whitchurch. Not sure whether they do DIY, but nice facilities and friendly people.

https://www.facebook.com/Nortonliveryhants/

That’s a couple of mins from my house but part only.

 

[TheHairyOne]

Im the Reading side of Newbury, but I suspect there must be some yards around Boomerang XC couse.

Bucklebury Equestrian are out Newbury way and do DIY and Pangboune (lovely area!) has Cullinghood which might offer what you want. I know a couple of people there who are very happy.

 

[Shoreditch]

Im the Reading side of Newbury, but I suspect there must be some yards around Boomerang XC couse.

Bucklebury Equestrian are out Newbury way and do DIY and Pangboune (lovely area!) has Cullinghood which might offer what you want. I know a couple of people there who are very happy.

Fantastic. Thanks so much, I will follow up on your suggestions. Would love to be close to a XC course!

 

[nikicb]

Fantastic. Thanks so much, I will follow up on your suggestions. Would love to be close to a XC course!

I am west of Newbury, but keep my horses at home so not all that up on the livery scene. Not sure if East Soley do diy, but there is another yard just along the road which may. I don't know anything about it though, it just happens to be local. https://www.facebook.com/brightheartlivery/ Both would be near Boomerang. At one point Boomerang did livery, not sure about now. Sorry for the waffle, hope it is of some help.

 

[Shoreditch]

I am west of Newbury, but keep my horses at home so not all that up on the livery scene. Not sure if East Soley do diy, but there is another yard just along the road which may. I don't know anything about it though, it just happens to be local. https://www.facebook.com/brightheartlivery/ Both would be near Boomerang. At one point Boomerang did livery, not sure about now. Sorry for the waffle, hope it is of some help.

Really helpful, thank you. I feel like my search area is getting larger, much to OH's dismay. He wanted to move by end of November....

 

[mavandkaz]

There is a yard in kingsclere that is DIY only - clere house.
April farm in headley are DIY only and recently advertised, although would expect that to be filled by now, but worth a try.
There are more options over towards Andover.
I don't know the Winchester area that well but do see adverts for places around kings worthy and Sutton scotney on Facebook every now and again.

 

[Shoreditch]

There is a yard in kingsclere that is DIY only - clere house.
April farm in headley are DIY only and recently advertised, although would expect that to be filled by now, but worth a try.
There are more options over towards Andover.
I don't know the Winchester area that well but do see adverts for places around kings worthy and Sutton scotney on Facebook every now and again.

Hi, thanks so much, I will follow up on both Clere House and April Farm (have actually been there for SJ hire but somehow didn't think to enquire re livery). I don't suppose you know of any yards Andover way but approached via Whitchurch, so to the east of Andover?

Thanks once again for all the responses, lots of leads to follow up on.

 

[asmp]

Perhaps ask the secretary of Winchester RC if they know of anyone?

 

[Shoreditch]

Perhaps ask the secretary of Winchester RC if they know of anyone?

Great idea, thank you.