Come and enjoy the luxury of being able to ride freely around 400 beautiful acres, with hardly a gate to open. This yard located close to Barnstaple in North Devon and benefits from a glorious mixture of open pasture, gentle hills, farm tracks, old carriage drives, woodland paths, and quiet country lanes for road work. There are lakes and hills all around and there is a large all-weather arena which is free to all liveries. The yard is easily accessible to the famous Saunton Sands - a 3 mile stretch of sandy beach. You can also ride in the unique National Park of Exmoor, amongst the Exmoor ponies and their foals, and see the magnificent red deer too.
You and your horse will stay at this full-time working farm where sheep and cows graze peacefully in the valleys, and horses and ponies thrive. The lakes valley is full of carp and the woods support a shy roe-deer population together with rabbits, foxes, badgers and many other woodland creatures including an otter. The bird life is also abundant since no cats are in residence and the magpie population is carefully controlled.
Day One
Arrive today and settle into your farmhouse B&B accommodation, you will be staying in a warm and friendly 18th century Devon farmhouse. This lovely property was built in the 1740’s and has been renovated beautifully by Caroline, the owner, who is an interior designer. This working farm yard is situated close to Barnstaple and Saunton and from here you have an abundance of hacking opportunities including numerous farm rides, Saunton Sands for beach rides, Exmoor and quiet lane exercising. You may also school your horse in the all weather arena which is free to all liveries.
Day Two
After a full English breakfast the choice is yours as to how you spend your second day. Maybe explore the farm ride where you will get the opportunity to have some big canters? Caroline will provide you with a map and you can head out with your faithful steed for a full day of exploration, leaving the stable yard along an ancient farm track surrounded by tall hedges and exploding with flowers and wildlife. There are various options all the way along this particular ride; it just depends what you and your horse feel like. You will frequently see roe deer and many pheasants and partridges. You will also hear constant birdsong wherever you are, especially in the woods.
Day Three
Today is your final day and by now you should have a good idea of the area and the local rides. Maybe try the beach today, depending on the tides (ask your hosts) you could venture to Saunton Sands and ride along the easily accessible, 3 mile stretch of a golden sanded beach. Alternatively you have unlimited access into the Exmoor National Park, maps and directions for both rides are provided upon request.
For £170pp we provide the following for you and your horses:
2 nights B&B
- Delicious breakfasts (and dinner if ordered)
- Unlimited grazing
- Lockable tack room
- Free horse box parking
- 24hr supervision
- Heated rug room
- Feed room
- Hay and straw for sale
- Excellent riding, farm or lanes
- Tuition can be arranged
- Individual, electric-wired paddocks with water troughs
- All weather turn-out
- Children welcome
- Optional extra - large stable for your horse with bedding and hay (to order if desired and to be paid for directly)
ALL HORSES MUST HAVE UP TO DATE FLU JABS
If you like the idea of a horse riding holiday in North Devon but are unable to bring your own horse, have a look at our sister site Equestrian Escapes. We can also offer tuition, hacking and beach rides.