Still hoping someone will surprise you with a pony for your birthday? Instead of waiting, saddle up and plan a riding holiday in England. This year is an especially fitting time for equestrian adventures—it’s the Chinese year of the Horse—so why not meet your match at a riding hotel? Properties such as Coworth Park in Ascot and Lucknam Park can pair you with a suitable horse and offer riding lessons tailored to your ability.
If you already own a horse, consider a Bring-Your-Horse break through the British Horse Society’s Horses Welcome Scheme. Hoe Grange Holidays helps you find accommodations with excellent stabling and riding facilities. For example, the Old Tack Room cottage in Dorset includes attached stabling and commands lovely views across the countryside toward Bulbarrow Hill.
Prefer to enjoy horses rather than ride them? Head to Dartmoor with a camera in hand. Feral ponies still roam the moors, grazing among meadows and wildflowers, making the area a fantastic spot for photography and gentle walks. For a curated experience, book the Dartmoor Experience at Gidleigh Park, which often includes guided rides and visits to locations associated with the filming of Steven Spielberg’s 2011 movie War Horse.
Other ideas to inspire your next trip:
- Portugal: walking tours for landscapes, culture and coastal scenery.
- Horse trekking: get back in the saddle with guided treks suited to different experience levels.
Whether you want structured lessons at a riding hotel, the convenience of taking your own horse, or the chance to photograph wild ponies on moorland, England offers a wide range of horse-focused breaks to suit riders and lovers of horses alike.