A day spent horse riding in the Forest of Dean or the Wye Valley, is a day well spent.
Its no surprise that the two areas are popular for riding. There are countless woodlands that offer hard stoned tracks for riders, courtesy of the Forest Enterprise, and numerous bridleways that cut through the rolling hills and deepening valleys.
As the landscape is so perfect for horse riders, several riding stables have sprung up in this area, providing services such as livery, lessons or hacks across country. Read on for our selection of top riding stables across the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
Severnwye Equestrian
Severnwye Farm is situated in the Forest of Dean, in between Chepstow and Lydney. Not only is it an equestrian centre but also a farm, with mules, donkeys, rabbits, birds and llamas, as well as a selection of other animals.
Severnwye Equestrian offers a variety of pony trekking options to fit your needs. Head out as a group or try an individual trek. Take a short trip of 1 or 2 hours, or why not make a day of it with 4-5 hour treks and lunch?
For further information, please check the Severnwye Equestrian website.
Address: Severnwye Equestrian, Severnwye Farm, Spout Hill, Lydney GL15 6AE
Redbrook Equestrian
Rebrook Equestrian is located in Upper Redbrook, close to Monmouth in the picturesque Wye Valley. It is situated at the top of hill, benefiting from fantastic views of the valley, as well as the Offa’s Dyke path. Redbrook is a professionally run riding school, as well as Pony Club Centre and livery yard. It was established in 2007, and is run by Hayley Howells ABRSTC, who has over 30 years experience of teaching horse riding. The centre offers off road hacking sessions through beautiful woodlands, as well as private and group lessons.
For more information, check the Redbrook Equestrian website.
Address: Redbrook Equestrian, Cockshoot Ash, Upper Redbrook, Monmouthshire, NP25 4LU.
Freerein Riding Holidays
The most popular holiday booked at the Freerein stables is the 2 day self-guided trek, where you follow a well established route that takes you through the old lanes of Clyro, down the woodland tracks and across the River Wye. As you cross the river you can see the Hell Hole rapids by the old suspension bridge. Head up towards Llanerchcoedlan Wells where you’ll spy an old working hill farm. Your second day includes a choice of routes but most people choose the longer one, which takes them up Llandeilo hill, through Painscastle, stopping at the Roast Ox Inn for lunch. Head back to Free Rein in your own time.
For more information, take a look at the Freerein Riding Holidays website.
Address: Freerein Riding Holidays, The Coach House, Clyro, Radnorshire. HR3 5LE.
Bryngwyn Riding Centre
This riding school is very much family orientated, with hacks designed for small children to more experienced riders, and lasting from 2 hours to all day. All rides are graded so nothing is left to chance, and all riders are given the opportunity to walk, trot and canter. And if a rider has mixed ability the ride will be adjusted according to that. The area around Kington provides magnificent views, particularly once you reach the top of the hills, and on some day rides lunch at a local pub is included.
Take a look at the Bryngwyn Riding Centre website for more information.
Address: Bryngwyn Riding Centre, Kington, Newchurch, Herefordshire, HR5 3QN.
Grange Trekking
Those wanting to see the very best that the Wye Valley has to offer whilst trekking on the back of a sturdy welsh pony, they should head over to Grange Trekking. With ponies that cater for every capability, and from the ages of six to the elderly, you can opt for an hour or day trek and you can book accommodation within the cottages. The treks are designed to allow you the best views through forests, past natural waterfalls, over heather covered mountaintops, and cover many natural beauty spots. Your destination on most treks is the wonderful Black Mountains, where you get magnificent views of the Holy Mountains, the Wye Valley, Golden Valley, Brecon Beacons, the Herefordshire Plain and the Vale of Ewyas.
For more details, take a look at the Grange Trekking website.
Address: Grange Trekking, Capel-Y-Fin, Abergavenny, Wales. NP7 7NP.
For more fun things to do in the area, take a look at our post on what to do in the Wye Valley or our favourite Forest of Dean Walks.
Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Self-Catering Holiday Cottages
Planning a horse riding trip to the Forest of Dean or Wye Valley? Manor Cottages are a locally based, family business who specialise in Holiday Cottages and Self Catering Accommodation across the Cotswolds, Forest of Dean and Wye Valley area. With over 270 holiday properties, we are the largest supplier across the region and generated over 30,000 visitors to the area in 2013.
Browse our range of cottages in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean.
Images Courtesy of: Albert Bridge (CC BY-SA 2.0)