Whether you’re taking your first lesson or trying your hand at pony trekking, these are the best places to go horse riding in Yorkshire.
Yorkshire is a great place to go horse riding. From rolling countryside to ancient woodlands, you’ll find some of the most amazing rides in the country here, but where should you start? We’ve rounded up the horse-riding schools and centres in the region, so you can learn to ride, build your confidence and start exploring on horseback. Expect lessons, pony treks and more!
Bilsdale Riding Centre
There are few better places to go horse riding in Yorkshire than Bilsdale Riding Centre. It sits within the North York Moors National Park, surrounded by scenic bridleways, lanes and forest tracks, so you’ll see the very best of the British countryside while you ride.
Almost all of their horses have been bred and reared on the family farm, so they know all their quirks and can pair you with the perfect mount. Beginners can get into the saddle with a leisurely one or two-hour trek on their most gentle horses, while canter-ready riders can enjoy a whole day out.
Where: Helmsley – find it on Google Maps.
How much: One-hour rides are £45 per person, two-hour rides are £60 per person and full-day rides are £140 per person
Find out more: bilsdaleridingcentre.co.uk
Cliffhollins Riding School
A friendly, family-run riding centre in East Bierley, Cliffhollins is the perfect introduction to horse riding. Their lessons cater for complete beginners from the age of four. You’ll be paired with one of their horses, which range from gentle mounts for nervous riders to bold personalities for the more adventurous.
Following this, you’ll then be taken out to their arena or on a hack to local attractions like Black Carr Woods – their expert instructors will be on-hand to help you every step of the way. Got little ones? Sign them up to the Pony Club for regular riding and training sessions.
Where: Bradford – find it on Google Maps.
How much: One-hour group lessons are £30, two-hour hacks are £50 and Pony Club sessions start from £20 per child for an hour.
Find out more: cliffhollins.co.uk
Kilnsey Trekking and Riding Centre
You can do just about anything at Kilnsey Trekking and Riding Centre. They offer pony treks for absolute beginners, as well as two-day horse riding trails for intermediate and advanced riders. Whichever you choose, you’re in for a treat.
This family-owned riding centre sits right at the heart of the Wharfdale Valley, surrounded by moors, farmland and bridleways that are easily traversed on horseback. Want a one-to-one session? You can do horse riding and stable management lessons in their 968-square-foot, purpose-built jumping paddock.
Where: Conistone with Kilnsey – find it on Google Maps.
How much: One-hour pony treks are £40 per person and child lessons start from £15 per person for members or £20 for non-members.
Find out more: kilnseyriding.com
Boltby Trekking Centre
Nestled in the North Yorkshire countryside, surrounded by bridleways, forests and moorland trails, Boltby Trekking offers scenic rides for all ages and abilities. They’ve thought of just about everything – from 30-minute mini-treks to day-long adventures, and our personal favourite, pub rides!
Every experience is led by a friendly trekking guide who will make you feel comfortable and confident in the saddle. All that’s left is to find your perfect steed, and with horses ranging from 12 to 16 hands, that certainly won’t be a problem.
Where: Thirsk – find it on Google Maps.
How much: Mini-treks are £25 per person, one-hour rides are £35 per person, 90-minute rides are £40 per person and two-hour rides are £50 per person.
Find out more: boltbytrekking.co.uk
Woldgate Trekking Centre
Horse riding on the East Yorkshire coast? Yes please. Woldgate Trekking Centre sits just one mile west of Bridlington and promises a fun day out for everyone. On Saturdays and Sundays, the kids can learn how to ride, how to muck out the stables and how to groom the horses at their Young Riders Club, but they also offer horse-trekking tours six days a week.
Their experienced riders will lead you through woodlands, vales and wildflower meadows on a trek designed to match the individual abilities of your group, whether you’re beginners or pros.
Where: Bridlington – find it on Google Maps.
How much: Horse treks are £25 per hour per person and the Young Riders Club is £30 per person.
Find out more: woldgatetrekking.co.uk
SJ Equestrian Riding Centre
Credit: Bewerley Riding Centre
An ABRS-approved riding centre with British Horse Society-registered instructors, SJ Equestrian takes horse riding very seriously indeed. They have indoor and outdoor riding arenas on-site, where you can develop your horse-riding skills, including dressage, jumping and cross country, but you can also go out hacking or pony trekking.
These one or two-hour lessons will take you out of the stable and into the Yorkshire countryside, so you can look out over Nidderdale from horseback. They’re also an approved Pony Club Centre with annual memberships for under 21s.
Where: Harrogate – find it on Google Maps.
How much: One-hour lessons are £60 for individual riders or £45 per person for a group (3+ people), one-hour treks are £50 per person and Pony Club sessions are £45 per child.
Find out more: sjequestrian.co.uk
Back Lane Stables
This BHS-approved horse-riding school is the perfect place to learn to ride in Yorkshire. They offer a whole range of classes, from beginner to competition level, riding to jumping, so there’s something to suit all your needs, whatever your ability.
Their hacks, which head out into the surrounding countryside, are generally reserved for confident riders who can canter with ease, but walk and trot hacks can also be arranged. Younger kids can enrol in their Pony Club and the littlest of riders can learn the ropes in their Fallabella Club.
Where: Farnley – find it on Google Maps.
How much: Group lessons and hacks are £30 per hour, private lessons are £45 for 40 minutes, and Pony Club sessions are £35 per child for 90 minutes.
Find out more: backlanestables.co.uk
Friars Hill Riding Stables
Friars Hill Stables is a friendly, family-run horse-riding school, nestled in the North Yorkshire Moors. They can help take you from a total beginner to a confident, experienced rider with lessons that range from horse riding to show jumping.
If you want to head out into the countryside, why not try one of their hacks? They build them around the group, so you’ll travel at the pace of the least-experienced rider, allowing everyone to enjoy the experience equally. They also have a Pony Club where young riders can learn stable management alongside riding.
Where: Sinnington – find it on Google Maps.
How much: One-hour group lessons and hacks start from £32 per person.
Find out more: friarshillridingstables.co.uk
Bleach Yard
There are two things that make Bleach Yard special. The first is owner Joyce Fearn – over the years, she’s taught generations of children to ride – and the second is the location. Her stables are nestled on the edge of Beverley with easy access to Beverley Westwood.
Here, you can canter through forest and dale, with routes to suit every rider, no matter how inexperienced you are. Their horses and ponies are gentle and sensible, perfect for beginners, and Joyce can help you work your way up from riding to dressage or show jumping on a competitive level.
Where: Beverley – find it on Google Maps.
How much: Half-hour group lessons start from £20 per person.
Find out more: bleachyardstables.co.uk
Grenoside Equestrian Centre
South Yorkshire is a great place to go horse riding – just head to Grenoside Equestrian Centre. You’ll find it a mere hop, skip and a jump away from Grenoside and Wortley, where reams of rolling countryside make for scenic riding.
They offer lessons in their outdoor arena for riders as young as five years old, as well as horse trekking in the woodlands around the stables. Beginners can enjoy a leisurely half-hour hack while more experienced riders will be treated to two hours of exploring on horseback. They also have a Pony Club where children can learn the ropes.
Where: Sheffield – find it on Google Maps.
How much: Horse-riding lessons start from £25 per person.
Find out more: grenoside-equestrian.co.uk
Think Like a Pony
Credit: Sian Gaugham
Think Like a Pony aims to empower young people through horsemanship. Their riding school caters for children aged seven to 18 and takes a holistic approach by teaching students to communicate with the horses and rider in balance.
This don’t just help them to become a better rider, they also build important life skills. Students start with one-to-one classes with one of their specially trained instructors, before moving into small semi-private groups. This allows them to get the personal attention they need to build their skills and improve their riding.
Where: Horsforth – find it on Google Maps.
How much: Half-hour private lessons are £33 per person.
Find out more: thinklikeapony.co.uk
