Where to ride in London?

[Luda]

Hi Guys,
I'm looking for some advice about where to learn to ride in London...

I've done my research and come up with a list of places that I could go - they all look fine, some are slightly cheaper than others, but I just wanted a personal recomendation if possible, as it's hard to choose between them.

On my list so far:

Wimbledon Village Stables
Ross Nye Stables in Hyde Park
Trent Park Equestrian Centre
Hyde Park Stables

Trent Park looks to be the best vaule to me. Anybody been to any of these and can report back?
Or do you go somewhere else that's good in London?

I'd appreciate any advice or tips on how to choose somewhere.

Cheers

[Santorium]

Barnsfield in Richmond look really good. I visited them recently, very friendly, all BHS approved, and excellent hacking in Richmond park.

PM me if you want more details :)

[michaelsq]

Depends on where you are exactly, but i'd go for wimbledon village stables. i was born in wimbledon and still have family there, and it seems a nice friendly yard with good instructors. i think they ride ovut over hte common, which would be good

[Luda]

...I should add - I don't drive so accessible by public transport ideally is my only other essential!

[Kit Kat]

Well its not on the tube, but I manage to get there by public transport (10 minute bus from Harrow & Wealdstone Bakerloo line) - Suzannes Riding School. Its totally brilliant. I left a school full of dishearted ponies with punch-bag ribs, and cannot believe the difference being in a good school now makes. The horses are happy, my instructor is lovely (Julian), and I've learned more in 3 lessons than I did in 3 months at the other place. I can only comment on private lessons as I haven't done group, but the group I've watched looked great. They teach proper classical riding, not just how to run around in circles going bouncey bouncey as a lot of schools seem to get away with.

I love it there and recommended it to anyone who is serious!!

K

[hotluca]

Being a native North Londoner, I was taught to ride at Trent Park. Always been good, very accessible, with good and ever improving facilities. However, I haven't ridden there since I was a teenager, and I can't comment on the horse quality.

If you are local to North London, you could try Kings Oak Stables in Cattlegate Road Enfield - another of my previsouly local stables - smaller than Trent Park, but was always very very good. The only problem with KO is that hacks took place in the wooded areas close by, but required some road work on a (at the weekends) very busy road. Whereas TP has access to open parkland without so much as a piece of tarmac in sight.

Enjoy!

[Jo75]

I first learnt to ride in Hanwell, London, Near Ealing.
I used to cycle for 1/2 and hour to get there every weekend..
Great fun

[Lovecat]

Haven't been to Trent Park myself (driven past and it looks lovely) although someone from our yard went there for a hack recently and said that they were really up themselves and rude - but it is more or less across the road from Oakwood tube (Piccadilly line)!

Heading Eastwards, there's a riding centre in Lee Valley, which is in Hackney - no tube nearby but Clapton BR (from Liverpool Street) is relatively close at hand and a few buses go there. The website is here: www.leevalleypark.org.uk/fe/master.asp?nodeidl1=3&nodeidl2=6&level=3&nodeidl3=24 - I've not been but I know people who have and they've liked it there.

Also out East is Aldborough Hall Equestrian Centre, which is about a 15 minute walk from Newbury Park tube on the Central line. It always looks very nice but they don't do hacking and when I rang them several years back about lessons they were a bit snotty about the fact I was over 30 and wanted beginner lessons (but I've since met people who rave about the place, so I suppose you'd have to try it for yourself!).

There are several schools in and around Chingford and Epping where you have great hacking in the forest, but none of them are near public transport, that I know of, so probably not much use to you.

Good luck,

Cathy:D

[Kit Kat]

Used to go to Aldborough - walked out of it. Don't want to go into details on public forum!

[Lovecat]

PM me the goss, Kit Kat!;)

Seriously, do you go all the way from Essex to Harrow to ride?:eek: !


Cathy:D

[Kit Kat]

Yup - insane huh? But worth every second of the 2.5hr trip (one way!). PM on the way.

[casey]

What a small world. I resided at Kings oak for a while.... They dont do hacking for the general puplic after an accident.

Trent Park I have heard good things about, but havent encouraged anyone to ride there as I heard the horses work for 3 hours on a week day and 5 on a weekend. Kinda put me off.
Dont know for sure.

[Shadowfax]

I tried to go at Wimbledon Village but they said they didn't have enough spaces to take on any more regular riders so I gave up there. I have a friend at Ridgway stables, they hae a website but I can't remember the adress, try a search, and she says they are good. They are very close to Wimbledon Village but I think their last lesson time is quite early. I think both are close to either Wimbledon train station or Wimbledon Common train station.

[Scootster]

Hi - just found this website as I was looking for an answer to a similar question!

I use Lee Valley stables and have always thought their lessons were of a pretty good standard. They are also friendly and seem to have a big emphasis on safety. I did hear from one of the staff that people had been sent to them from Trent Park, although I have never been there.

It's hard to ride in London as everything is so booked up most of the time. But I managed to get a half-day off for six weeks and will be going on a mid-week course at Wimbledon Stables. Which I hope will be good – does anyone have any feedback on Wimbledon?

Like other people on the thread, I have heard great things of Suzanne’s - but I called and they told me they were fully booked up till the end of next month.

Scoots

[Angeltotty]

Well I went riding at Hyde Park Stables (Expensive but great) Its so cool being in the middle of London and on a horse they cater for all age/skill groups.

I went (First time riding since my early teens) in may. since I have moved out of london and Started lessons in wickford

Oh and BTW Im new to the site but it's great

Cheers

X

[Kit Kat]

Angeltotty - heeheee I love the name thats so cool!

[Angeltotty]

Thanks Kit Kat

Its kinda original I know but I have had it for years, thanks to college!

X

[notpoodle]

i used to go to lee valley for a bit, they're really good! now i live in south london, so it's a bit too far ...


julia
x

[Luda]

Aaargh! Well - I've booked a lesson this weekend at Trent Park. Fingers crossed the people (and horses) are nice! I'm so excited.

Quick question - can I get away with wearing jeans? I don't really want to shell out on any jodhpurs till I'm sure i'll be going regularly..