5 of the best places to go horse riding in London

From novice to jockey, here are the best places in the capital to saddle up
Two riders in Hyde Park
Getty Images

London is brimming with green spaces – in fact, there are around 3,000 parks in London covering 18 per cent of the city.

One of the best ways to experience these parks is on horseback, and luckily London has a number of stables that offer adults lessons and ‘hacks'.

From Richmond Park to Vauxhall and the Isle of Dogs, here are the best places to get in the saddle in London.

Stag Lodge Stables, Richmond Park

Take a trot through Richmond Park
Stag Lodge Stables

Richmond Park, with its expansive green space, varied trails and grazing deer herds, is the most obvious place to pick for your London horse riding experience. A number of stables service the park, but our pick is the Stag Lodge Stables – home to more than 70 well-trained horses and ponies and offers lessons and courses to both adults and children. Whether you want to go for a quaint amble around Wimbledon Common or a faster group hack through Richmond Park, Stag Lodge Stables has 25 instructors who can cater for both one-on-one and group lessons.

A group hack is £40 pp on a weekday and £50 pp on a weekend or a private lesson/hack is £55 on a weekday or £70 on a weekend, ridinginlondon.com/

Ross Nye Stables, Paddington

Ross Nye Stables has been offering riding lessons in Hyde Park since 1965, making it the longest-established riding school in Central London. The stables offer a Pony Club for younger riders, where they can learn about horse care as well as riding, hacking lessons through Hyde Park for all levels and abilities as well as a Riding Club for adults. Ross Nye Stables also run riding holidays at Longfrey Farm, near Guildford just an hour from London.

Private rides are £90 for one hour and group rides are £75 pp for one hour, rossnyestables.co.uk/

Vauxhall City Farm, Vauxhall

You'll find donkey's and horses at Vauxhall City Farm
Vauxhall City Farm/Facebook

If you hear a horse neighing in the centre of Vauxhall, don’t be alarmed – you’re probably just close to the Vauxhall City Farm. The farm house eight horses and ponies on site that can take part in jumping, flat work, Riding for the Disabled lessons and beginner lessons for both adults and kids. They also offer birthday parties and pony parties for any horse-loving kids.

Private rides are £40 for 30 minutes. Group lessons are £40 pp for 30 minutes and £35 pp for 45 minutes, Tuesday to Friday. On the weekend, only group lessons for children are offered, £30 pp for 45 minutes, vauxhallcityfarm.org/horse-riding

Wimbledon Village Stables, Wimbledon

From riding lessons, to riding courses and hacking through Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park, you’ll find whatever horse-related activity you’re looking for at the Wimbledon Village Stables. Spot the wild deer among the ancient trees or simply enjoy some time out in nature during a hack, or if you’re after a lesson, the stables offer beginner lessons, jumping, dressage and private lessons for all experience levels.

A one-hour ride (hack) starts from £70 per ride for non-members, Tuesday to Friday. Hacks are only available for members on the weekend, wvstables.com/

Mudchute Park & Farm, Isle of Dogs

Take a trip to this 32-acre plot on the Isle of Dogs (Mudchute Park & Farm/Facebook)
Mudchute Park & Farm/Facebook

On the Isle of Dogs, you’ll find one of East London’s best stables – the Mudchute Park & Farm. Here both adults and children can take riding lessons from beginner to advanced level on both an individual and group basis. They also offer full-day programmes for children during the school holidays, who can learn to ride horses on the beautiful 32-acre site which is also home to a number of farm animals.

A one-hour group session for adults costs £33 pp or private lessons for adults start at £45 for 45 minutes, mudchute.org/

Bonus: Ebony Horse Club, Brixton

While Brixton’s Ebony Horse Club isn’t open for public rides, the club is available for local young people between the ages of eight and 18 who would like to learn how to ride. The club is committed to helping the surrounding community, providing riding lessons and youth work support to those most in need. As well as horse riding, the club provides mentorship, outdoor events and takes groups on trips away.

To find out more and donate to the Ebony Horse Club, visit ebonyhorseclub.org.uk/

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