Calling all Brits! I will be in Swindon in a few weeks for work. I am hoping to build in enough time to swing by a tack store or two in the hopes of finding some nice hunt appointments or clothing. A used or consignment section would be even better so I can find something interesting with character and history… I can easily buy shiny and new off the internet if I want. I googled and found The Old Dairy Saddlery which is semi-near my hotel (the Swindon Hilton). would this be a good place to find what I’m looking for? Any other suggestions? Thanks so much!
Lucky you! I would love to do some used/consignment shopping in the UK. We only have one tack shop in this area that does that and it is not the nicest place to shop.
No brick and mortar suggestions for Swindon, but when i’m visiting my inlaws, I make sure to have ebay.co.uk purchases sent direct to them (many UK sellers wont ship to the US, or the costs are prohibitively expensive!). I’m sure you could send to the hotel as well if you arrange with them prior to your arrival (and allow for enough time to ensure your parcels arrive!).
Elmgrove Saddlery
Saddlery & Riding Wear (Shops & other Retail Outlets) based in the Station Road area of Swindon
Tel: 01793 770613
Address: Station Road, Purton, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 4AH
View Elmgrove Saddlery’s profile
T & E Jackson
Saddlery & Riding Wear (Factories & Manufacturing) based in the Pye Lane area of Swindon
Tel: 01793 731662
Address: 4 Pye Lane, Broad Town, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN4 7RR
View T & E Jackson’s profile
The Personal Touch Equine
Saddlery & Riding Wear (Shops & other Retail Outlets) based in the Hannington area of Swindon
Tel: 01793 766668
Address: Hannington, Hannington, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 7SY
View The Personal Touch Equine’s profile
The Saddlery
Saddlery & Riding Wear (Shops & other Retail Outlets) based in the High Street area of Swindon
Tel: 01793 766660
Address: 49 High Street, Highworth, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 7AQ
View The Saddlery’s profile
UK Racing
Saddlery & Riding Wear (Office & Administration) based in the The Dormers area of Swindon
Tel: 01793 766751
Address: 83 The Dormers, Highworth, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 7PD
View UK Racing’s profile
PS: Google for “saddlery” rather than tack, and “second hand” rather than used.
Equibrit- thank you so much!! And thanks for the Yankee to Brit translation advice for improving on the google search. :lol:
There are a couple of websites such as http://www.vintagetackroom.com/ and http://www.huntingstockmarket.co.uk/ but if you have time, you might like to get something made for you. These guys http://www.oliverbrown.org.uk/ offer top quality that will last a lifetime and probably into the next generation as well.
Swindon is pretty central and therefore close to many many hunts. In England, anywhere over an hour or two by car is deemed to be distant! If you look at http://www.bailyshuntingdirectory.com/ for hunts in Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire that should give you about 100 packs of hounds to contact and see if you can go out with them. Ask the Hon Sec and they will probably be able to suggest where to find a hireling too.
There are also companies that will organize the hunting for you http://www.blackthornandbrook.com/ or stay in a pub http://www.crownhotelexmoor.co.uk/index.htm and ask them about hiring a horse… Exmoor is totally geared up for visitors as it is a ‘must do’ for a lot of people. Most other hunts are willing to have visitors.
Or go on foot and follow beagles and/or bassets
Hi all- just wanted to say thanks to Equibrit and Willesdon for the great suggestions. I made it to Elmsgrove and they had some nice hunt whips and used tack. Not quite what I was looking for unfortunately and I came home empty handed (except for a few Cadbury’s Chocolate Oranges, which I have loved since I was a little kid!
I did score though, as I had a half-day after landing at Heathrow before I had to meet my clients for dinner. After I was done at the tack shop, I decided to walk the 6 miles all the way back to my hotel as it was a gorgeous, warm sunny day (yes! In England!) and after an 11-hour redeye, I needed some exercise. It was wonderful walking through hill-and-dale, seeing all the horses, cows, sheep, hedgerows, beautiful old pubs and stone houses… I enjoyed it hugely 
And you scored Chocolate Oranges! Can’t be bad. The ideas are in place for next time you visit.
Thought I had posted on this already…maybe another thread.
Sutton Scotney is near Winchester.
Calcutt’s is a marvellous tack shop - an Aladin’s cave for hunting enthusiasts,
new and used.
