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Whether you’re an experienced rider with your own horse or you’d like to try horse riding for the first time, Hampshire has over 465 miles of bridleways to explore with many excellent riding schools to show you the way – here are five of our fave places to go horse riding in Hampshire.
Meon Valley Trail
The Meon Valley Trail is a former railway line that is now a car-free 11-mile path through picturesque countryside for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders.
The trail runs from West Meon to Wickham in the South Downs and links to the South Downs Way National Trail.
Find out more about the Meon Valley Trail
South Downs Way
The South Downs Way is a stunning 100-mile-long trail beginning in the historical city of Winchester and following rolling countryside all the way to Beachy Head in Eastbourne.
The South Downs Way was the first bridleway National Trail in England, and it is also the only National Trail to lie entirely within a National Park.
It’s possible to follow a section of the trail or complete the entire South Downs Way on horseback which normally takes 2–4 days to ride.
Find out more about the South Downs Way
Queen Elizabeth Country Park
You can also enjoy the sweeping scenery of the South Downs from horseback at Queen Elizabeth Country Park’s six-mile permissive riding trail which will take you through the forest before joining the South Downs National Park.
The circular trail within Queen Elizabeth Forest is marked by red topped posts with white horseshoes. There are also two bridleways (also used by cyclists and walkers) that pass through the site.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park has a designated car park for unboxing and parking and a water trough is available behind the Visitor Centre.
Find out more about Queen Elizabeth Country Park
New Forest National Park
With its much-loved free roaming ponies, the New Forest is undoubtedly horse country and riding through the ancient woodlands and open heathlands of the National Park on horseback is a wonderful experience.
The New Forest National Park has a large network of bridleways and many riding schools, equestrian centres, and even stables for you to bring your horse on holiday with you. Great starting points are Burley, Brockenhurst, or Beaulieu.
Find out more about the New Forest
Alice Holt Forest
Situated on the Hampshire/Surrey border in the north of the county, Alice Holt Forest is run by Forestry England and offers a variety of pretty woodland trails for horse riders to explore with several access points for horse riders.
A TROT (Toll Rides Off-road Trust) permit is required to ride at Alice Holt.
Find out more about Alice Holt Forest
Find out more about horse riding in Hampshire
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