I am going to London for the first time and am thinking about trying to go for a ride through Hyde Park one morning. Has anyone done this? Are the horses awful? Do they make you walk the whole time if you are experienced? Suggestions on stables? Thanks!
I did this back in 2016 with the Hyde Park Stables crew and enjoyed it. Don’t expect to be treated like you know how to do anything…they will check tack, mount you up, adjust stirrups for you, pony you out to the park, and if you want to be let off the lead, you have to pass a quick control test (walk, halt, trot, halt, etc) before being allowed to ride on your own. The guide stuck close (I had a non-horsey friend who was being ponied by the guide on a third horse), but I was allowed to trot ahead on a few sections and have a little fun. Nothing crazy by any means. Upon leaving the park you are ponied back to the stables.
If you want some pretty/scenic ear pictures, it’s worth it. It’s a neat way to see Hyde Park, if you go first thing in the morning you’ll see some of the Horse Guards (?) horses out for a morning hack. If you’re going just for the riding experience, then I’d say it’s a little dull and overpriced. But it’s a rare opportunity, the horses were all in great weight and relaxed/happy, and the guide was knowledgeable. Didn’t chat much back at the yard, it was pretty busy getting horses turned around for the next group going out.
We followed it up with breakfast at a little hole in the wall nearby, and the post-ride hot chocolate made for a perfect morning.
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Hmmmm… maybe liability issues have hit the UK. but my experience - circa 2000 - was a lot different.
DH & I rode from Kensington Stables - same company as Hyde Park - & we had great horses - his was a 5yo WB, I had a cute piebald Cob. We rode out with 2 young girl guides & they pretty much let us control the ride.
Riding through city streets to get to the park was fun.
We rode in single-file, noone was ponied.
Agree it’s a great way to see the very large park & the groomed trails were lovely.
We did a lot of trotting & cantering.
Best part is people are horse-savvy, so no worries about walkers on the paths - everyone knew how to give way to riders.
We traveled light & were happy to wear the loaner Blundstone-type paddock boots & helmets they supplied.
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I decided to ride in Windsor’s Great Park instead, and had a fantastic time with Tally Ho Stables. Lots of trotting and cantering. It was a group ride, and the group was very well matched.
I was just in London briefly this past September and did a ride in Hyde Park. After doing some research online, I contacted Ross Nye Stables (literally next door to Hyde Park Stables) and they were able to squeeze me in. Rode a delightful cob-type, just me and my guide. You have to walk through some traffic to get to the park itself, but then you’re on the bridlepaths. Walk and trot; we even snuck in some canters. And we were able to catch glimpses of the Queen’s horses on training rides around the park, which was super cool!
A ride in Hyde Park is iconic since it can argued that leisure riding started on Rotten Row and it set equestrian fashion for centuries. There are now only two stables, both in Bathurst Mews. They are highly experienced in taking riders of all abilities out in the park. You will be escourted, on dedicated tracks and on well trained horses that are kept in excellent condition. However, time of day and season are important considerations. Ride as early as possible. The Queens horses go out very early and the Cavalry ones a bit later. The people you meet walking dogs etc out early are generally well behaved and understand what horses are doing. Go out later in the day, the park is packed with tourists and thousands of people doing other activities. I once got into an interesting debate with a group playing street hockey on the bridleway. And the cyclists are simply revolting!!
The two other locations to ride are Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park. Both have good stables, both are accessible by public transport (the sane option in London) and the riding is more relaxed because you are not in Tourist Central. Or ride at all three.
Great info everyone! Thanks so much! I can’t wait!!!
Will also add: That you should book ahead. Was there in Nov. and managed to get a cancellation at Ross Nye, but was told generally booked a week in advance. Do bring your own boots. They will provide helmets, which are required. I ended up having to cancel… but it remains on my bucket list. There are also several liveries over by Wimbledon which offer rides through the parks there. It is really quite amazing how many horses are in in London.
Richmond Park is another great place to ride with history (used to be the monarchy’s hunting grounds). I never rode in Hyde Park when I lived in London, but did Richmond once and you get to stretch out a bit there.
I also second Windsor Great Park. My company had an equestrian club which had membership with the Light Calvary. We got to ride horses used in the various royal parades. Surprisingly they let us ride out on our own without a guide. There’s a bridle path and you’re allowed to canter. Once we saw the Queen’s motorcade drive by as she was on her way from Windsor Castle to Ascot.
Gosh, that Windsor Great Park experience looks fantastic, based on the website! I’m putting this on my bucket list!
Many years ago, I lived in the UK, although I wasn’t “in” horses at the time, although I did take a brief riding vacation. Just out of curiosity, are there many places for non-tourists to ride/keep horses in London or the area immediately outside of London? I imagine it must be quite expensive.
There are horses dotted all over London. I was once challenged to find horses close to where a group of us were stuck in a traffic jam. I grinned and pointed over our heads and said “280 cavalry horses in their stables above the street right here in Knightsbridge”.
OP I forgot about Epping Forest which is East of London but fully accessible. Lots of riding there. It is a unique remnant of medieval grazed forest that now belongs to the City of London. In the winter thete are trails but i the summer you can ride anywhere.
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