Yards SW London/Surrey - please help!

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Twiglet

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I've just bought a horse, and moved him to a wonderful yard in Epsom. It seems fab - good facilities, nice people, good hacking etc. Unfortunately the journey is killing me already....when looking at yards, I honestly thought it would be quicker than it is - now I'm doing it every day, the journey is grinding me down.

So have previously looked at Manor Farm in Claygate....I thought it looked nice, if a little scruffy. Does anyone have any information on it?

Also, Woodstock Lane South yard - anyone know about it? I can't find info anywhere on internet!

Anything else on the A3 corridor that offers full/part livery, with semi-decent facilities??

Thanks.
 
I kept a horse at Manor Farm on part livery for quite a few years a while ago, although it wasn't the smartest yard in the world it was the friendliest yard I ever liveried at, I never witnessed any bitching whilst there! (mine are at home now). It is a mix of "serious" riders and happy hackers, there was always someone to hack out with and it had a huge indoor school and best of all, all year really good turn out. Amy and Sandra who run it are lovely and really knowledgeable. Good luck in your search.
 
Hi Rachel67, I had seen your yard's website (nice website!) but I think it's just too far for me. My boyfriend is currently stationed in Pirbright so I know the route quite well. I'm looking for more inside the M25.

Sue_nf, I'm seeing that opinion quite a lot about Manor Farm - interesting. I'm going to go back on Sunday and look at it with fresh eyes.
 
Good luck on Sunday Twiglet, I kept my very quirky Welsh D there. The yard I was at previously insisted on a schooling whip be kept outside his stable at all times as he could be very bargy. I remember telling Sandra and Amy who were both appalled. Tigger (my boy) changed into a different boy really quickly after moving there he relaxed so much and was a pleasure to be around, so different from the stressy pony I arrived with. ( he stayed there till he sadly had to be pts a few years later). Tigs absolutely adored Amy and he was known to jump out of his field on occasions and beat her back to the yard. They treated him like their own, can't gush any higher about the yard. Do please send them my love, from Sue and Tigs, I moved away and haven't seen them for years.
 
That's a really sweet story, and glowing praise indeed! Well have put a call in with Amy (I previously tried one of her horses for sale), so hopefully she'll call me back with news of a space.

Poor new horse - will have been on three yards within a month (from the sellers, to this one, to a new one). But then he does seem a remarkably relaxed chap, so I'm not sure there'll be too much of an issue.
 
Just remember that winter is the very worst ... It won't seem, so bad when the evenings are longer. Did you try owlbrook competiton yard in Ripley? Bev is lovely, new massive school and literally just off the a3 though don't know if she has spaces ATM
 
Thanks for that.

Unfortunately I think it'll seem even worse in summer, to sit through 45 mins of traffic! I really do like the yard, it has everything I'm looking for....but I've done £70 in petrol in the last five days.

The Owlbrook yard also looks very nice but is just as far unfortunately.
 
It's funny, all i can find on Manor Farm is glowing praise....very rare for a yard I think! Unfortunately no spaces and they won't take a waiting list :(

Have had a look at the Greenfield Farm website before, but it's just a bit too far....albeit it is a lot 'faster' than going out to Epsom, it's still the mileage and the petrol. Would be ideal if my boyfriend was staying at Pirbright as I could go via the yard, but he's moving to Wiltshire this week, and I need to head more towards the M3 side of the A3 :(
 
The other yard you could try is slough farm which is also in claygate, I think it may only be DIY but there was someone offering services. How far out of London do you want to travel? There are loads of yards in cobham and effingham which are lovely.
 
Hi, Slough Farm is only DIY (albeit with another livery doing some services) and the school looked awful. I'm looking for more of a part/full livery yard.

I'm coming from Clapham, so I'm looking at the A3 corridor, inside M25. Cobham and Effingham are just that bit too far, and not a lot closer than Epsom.
 
I know that stag lodge stables in Richmond are opening a new Olympic yard offering livery. Not sure if it would be worth giving them a call? The new yard looks divine! But probably quite pricy!
 
Unfortunately the Stag Lodge one is soooo pricey! And lacking in turnout somewhat.

There's a yard on Woodstock Lane South, which has two schools and a walker (according to google earth!) and I can't find the details for it. Anyone know what it'll be? I'm going to see Woodstock South stables (April's) on Sunday, but that only has one school I think?
 
I think the one next to April's yard is meant to be nice she helped us out for a day when we were moving yards once oh there's always Barwell but depending on time of year the traffic can be interesting to say the least.

The one next to Aprils yard is run by one of the farrier's daughter's or wife, cant remember which but it's a bar gate just after April's if you're coming off the A3.

We kept our first horse at Slough Farm and loved it. Not sure if Garson's farm still have a yard out the back that was ok I seem to remember when I last saw it (but that was years ago). Have you looked Horton Farm way, I cant remember the name of the yard but have heard nice things about it. Or you could look Hersham way there's some nice yards along a lane there.
 
Hi, Slough Farm is a definite no-no. It doesn't offer the services or facilities I'd need, and just didn't seem my cup of tea (*shudders at Parelli*). Owner seemed lovely though.

Went to see Garsons, seemed really lovely but alas no lights in the school, and no facilities for evening riding generally (school a long, unlit, distance from the yard).

Does anyone know if David Howell's wife offers livery at their place? From the looks of it, that's the one near Woodstock Lane with two schools...
 
Twiglet said:
Thanks for that.

Unfortunately I think it'll seem even worse in summer, to sit through 45 mins of traffic! I really do like the yard, it has everything I'm looking for....but I've done £70 in petrol in the last five days.

The Owlbrook yard also looks very nice but is just as far unfortunately.
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If you need to head on down to the M3 and Wiltshire, then don't discount further down the A3 - go over the hogs back and then you can take a road upto the M3 which comes in between 3 and 4 (I think) - its the Farnborough turning anyway
 
Hiya, I was at the Howells yard (albeit going back about 6 years or so now!). It was ran by Becky, the wife of Dave Howell (farrier).

I personally cant speak highly enough of it- a really lovely yard, Becky was always very helpful, a really nice person. It was a very friendly yard with nice facilities, and the hacking wasnt bad either. I was on asissted DIY- not sure about livery but worth an ask. It was just on the right after coming off A3, down a longish driveway.

Also Barwells nearby may be worth looking into?
 
Becky Howell does indeed still run Woodstock South. Personally I can't reccommend it too highly - I've kept my horses there for a number of years and IMHO it is quite the best of the local available yards. If you PM me I'll give you Becky's number - but we are full at the moment and I think have a waiting list.

If you're looking for yards around here there is CEC, a new one next to CEC on what used to be the car dealer's site (don't know anything about that one - its new.) Barwell of course and the 2 private yards next to it which occasionally let stables. Manor farm, Slough Farm, Arbrook Farm and Bridle Road.

If you want any further infor plse feel free to PM me.
 
Thanks so much for the info. It's telling that Becky Howell's place is full and yet there are no contact details or info on the internet....obviously gets recommended by word of mouth :) As I said in the PM Shay, I'll definitely try and pop down this weekend, it sounds ideal.

I don't mind staying put at the current yard for the time being, as it's a really lovely place, and has amazing facilities. I'm just not sure I can cope with this journey long term.
 
Twiglet said:
Thanks so much for the info. It's telling that Becky Howell's place is full and yet there are no contact details or info on the internet....obviously gets recommended by word of mouth :) As I said in the PM Shay, I'll definitely try and pop down this weekend, it sounds ideal.

I don't mind staying put at the current yard for the time being, as it's a really lovely place, and has amazing facilities. I'm just not sure I can cope with this journey long term.
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Are you at WR at the moment? I'm moving there next week!
 
I think you have all of the Claygate yards covered and opinions seem accurate. I agree the commute issue; I also live in Clapham and was going to Epsom. Now I have moved to CEC I save time and money and livery costs are lower. CEC facilities are a bit basic, but I really rate the stable management, which is probably the best I have ever had. What I like best about it is how active and engaged all of the liveries and clients are. In a short period of time I have made lots of really supportive friends and done some really challenging riding. The yard "vibe" is very good and YO is hard working and very helpful.
 
Thanks for that, good to know.

Jenj, is it liz's yard you're talking about? If so, then yes! Pm me (I tried but mine isn't working...)
 
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