Propose on Horseback: The Celebration Ride at Lucknam Park
A private ride for two across Lucknam Park's 500-acre Palladian estate, ending with a glass or bottle of chilled Champagne in front of the mansion and a Polaroid photograph to keep — designed for proposals, anniversaries and other occasions worth marking properly. Non-alcoholic options are available, and a picnic hamper can be added between June and August. Available exclusively to hotel residents, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, subject to availability. Riders must be 18 or over. Booking is confirmed only once activity availability is checked and a risk assessment form completed, so it's worth planning ahead of the date itself rather than booking last minute — call or email the Equestrian team directly.
The Champagne Celebration Ride at Coworth Park
A tailored one-hour ride through Coworth Park's 240-acre Berkshire estate, the only UK hotel grounds with their own working polo fields, finishing with a glass of Champagne at The Barn restaurant and a photo with the horse. Suited to proposals, anniversaries and any occasion worth marking properly. Pony cuddling sessions and equestrian birthday parties are available for younger guests, and riders bringing their own horse can book an "Ultimate Horse Check-In" with its own stabling, welcome polo ball and aromatherapy wash. Available exclusively to hotel residents. Must be booked at least 7 days in advance. Call the Equestrian team directly or book via Dorchester Collection's online shop.
3-Day Pony Camp, Cheshire
A 3-day pony camp at Mill Farm Riding School & Trekking Centre in Hazel Grove, Stockport, £260 for the three days. The centre also runs single Pony Days (9:30am-3:30pm) for £50, and offers trekking through the Cheshire countryside via the Middlewood Way alongside its regular lesson programme.
Anglesey Sunset Beach Ride
Red Wharf Bay provides three miles of flat sand at low tide on Anglesey's quieter eastern shore, with views across to the Snowdonia peaks at dusk. Evening departures run May to September, timed around low tide and sunset. The bay is sheltered from the prevailing westerly and usually flat calm in summer evenings.
Annual Pony Camp, Surrey
A week-long pony camp at Burstow Park Riding Centre, part of a busy competition and lesson yard also running unaffiliated dressage, showjumping and fun shows as part of the Sunshine Tour qualifier series. £450 for the week if riding your own horse, £540 if hiring one of the centre's horses. Own a Pony days and birthday parties are also available.
Bamburgh Castle Beach Ride
Ride along seven miles of Northumberland coast with Bamburgh Castle rising from the dunes ahead. Guides lead small groups along the tide line before cutting inland through duneland paths back to the yard. One of the most dramatic beach ride backdrops in England — the castle is visible from the water for the full outward leg.
Beaufort Polo Club Introduction
The Beaufort Polo Club near Tetbury is one of England's best-known high-goal clubs, hosting the Festival of Polo in May on its Duke of Beaufort estate grounds. Introduction sessions run separately from match days, covering mallet work on the ground and stick and ball on a lesson pony, with HPA-registered coaching. The Cotswolds setting — adjacent to the broader Beaufort estate — makes this one of the more atmospheric places to try polo in England.
Chilterns Pub Hack for Two
A long ride through the Chiltern Hills finishing at a proper country pub. Bookable as a gift for two.
Cirencester Park Polo Lesson
Cirencester Park is one of England's oldest polo clubs, playing on the Earl Bathurst estate since 1894. Introduction lessons cover mallet control, striking at walk and trot, and basic game rules. Sessions run on the practice grounds adjacent to the main field complex. A more accessible entry point to polo than most, with a strong coaching programme for novices.
Constable Country Pub Ride
The Stour Valley between Dedham and Flatford Mill is the landscape Constable painted for thirty years, and the bridleways here follow the exact field margins visible in his work. Rides end at the Marlborough Head Inn in Dedham, where horses are paddocked in the adjacent field during lunch. Combine with a visit to Flatford Mill for a full day out.
Cotswolds Scarp Bridleway Hack
The north Cotswolds escarpment above Chipping Campden commands views across the Vale of Evesham to the Malvern Hills. Rides follow the Cotswold Way bridleway through beech hangers and across ridge arable before dropping into the honey-stone village for the return. One of the most consistently beautiful hours of riding in the south of England.
Cotswolds Village Pub Hack
A circular ride from the Windrush Valley visits two Cotswolds villages before arriving at a 16th-century inn for a two-course lunch. The return follows the old drovers' road back across the wolds with views over the river valley. Price covers two riders; horses are stabled in the inn's yard while you eat. Booking at least two weeks ahead required.
Cowdray Park Polo Introduction
Cowdray Park is the most prestigious polo venue in England — it hosts the Gold Cup in late July and has been at the centre of English polo since the 1930s. Introduction sessions run on the practice grounds alongside the main club complex, with instruction from HPA-registered coaches. Ponies provided; no experience required. If you want to watch high-goal polo before or after your lesson, match days are open to the public throughout the season.
Dallas Burston Polo Taster
Dallas Burston is one of the most accessible polo clubs in central England, sitting between Birmingham, Coventry and Northampton with a full teaching programme running through the season. Taster sessions cover the basics of mallet technique on the ground before moving to stick and ball on a lesson pony. Suited to complete beginners and those who have ridden before but never played polo.
Dartmoor Crossing (7 Nights)
1,000 sq km of open moor. Wild ponies. Extended canters. A free horse joins every ride, saddled but riderless. One of England's great rides.
East Lothian Coastal Hack
Yellowcraigs beach sits on the Firth of Forth with clear views to Bass Rock and the Isle of May. Routes run through coastal woodland and over the dunes to the shoreline before following the beach west toward Fidra lighthouse. One of the most accessible beach rides in Scotland for those based in Edinburgh.
Exmoor & the Quantocks (5 Nights)
A week-long circuit linking Exmoor's high moorland with the Quantock Hills via the Brendon Valley and Haddon Hill, overnighting at farmhouse B&Bs and country pubs along the route. Daily distances of twelve to eighteen miles with guides throughout. One of the few self-sufficient riding routes in southern England with genuinely remote country. Price per person, minimum two.
Exmoor Red Deer Ridge Ride
Exmoor holds England's largest herd of wild red deer, and the autumn rut makes late October the best time to ride the high combes above Brendon Common. Full-day rides cover fifteen miles of moorland, fording the East Lyn river mid-route and crossing the open plateau where herds gather at dusk. Departs 09:00; packed lunch and refreshment stop included.
Guards Polo Club Introduction
The Guards Polo Club at Smith's Lawn in Windsor Great Park is the largest polo club in Europe, founded in 1955. Introduction sessions cover mounted stick and ball work on the practice grounds with instruction from club professionals. No experience required; polo ponies and all equipment provided. The setting — surrounded by Windsor Great Park — is hard to beat anywhere in England.
Hack in the Highlands
Pure Highland riding, big skies, lochs, absolute quiet. The most accessible introduction to Scotland on horseback.