The Lake District is one of the most underrated horse riding regions in Britain. Open fell country, ancient bridleway networks, beaches on the Solway Coast that stretch for miles at low tide, and one of the most distinctive trekking operations anywhere in the UK: a centre that runs guests on Clydesdales and Shires through the Lakeland hills.
Most foreign visitors plan a Lake District trip around Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and Wainwright walks. Adding a half-day on horseback into that itinerary delivers a different angle on the same landscape, and at venues you'll struggle to find advertised in mainstream tourist guides.
This guide covers where to ride for visitors, the standout heavy horse experience, and how to combine riding with a Lake District break.
Cumbrian Heavy Horses: the headline experience
Cumbrian Heavy Horses at Bootle near Millom is the standout international destination in Cumbria. BHS approved, the centre runs trekking and beach riding on Clydesdales, Shires and other heavy horse breeds rather than the lighter horses you'd ride at most schools. The combination of the heavy horse breeds (visually striking, calm, surprisingly comfortable to ride for a full day) and the Western Lake District terrain (open fells, the Duddon Estuary, beaches at low tide) means clients fly in from the United States, Australia and Northern Europe specifically for this trip.
Half-day, full-day and multi-day riding holidays available. Accommodation arranged on-site or in nearby Lakeland farmhouses. Suitable for intermediate riders upwards (you need to be comfortable in walk, trot and canter to make the most of it). Beginners can do the shorter introductory rides.
This is the call for visitors who want one outstanding riding experience as the centrepiece of a Lake District trip rather than tacking a hack onto another itinerary.
Trekking the Western fells
The Western Lakes (around Eskdale, Wasdale and the Duddon Valley) have less tourist traffic than the central Lakes (Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere) and better hacking country. Murthwaite Green Trekking Centre at Millom runs trekking through this side of the National Park, with rides accessible to beginners and intermediate riders.
For riders staying in the southern Lakes, Bigland Hall Equestrian at Ulverston is BHS approved and offers lessons, hacking, trekking and dressage from a serious yard. Witherslack Hall Equestrian Centre at Grange-over-Sands runs trekking on Cartmel Peninsula.
Holmescales Riding Centre at Kendal is BHS approved and serves the Kendal area for both lessons and hacking. Larkrigg Riding School and Todds of Kendal provide additional Kendal-based options.
Northern Lakes and Penrith
For visitors basing themselves in the northern Lakes (Keswick, Ullswater, Penrith), Leacett Cottage Riding Stables at Penrith runs lessons, hacking and trekking. The northern Lakes have less density than the south for riding, but the country (Skiddaw, the Caldbeck fells, Ullswater shoreline) is some of the best in the National Park.
Blackdyke Farm Riding Centre and Stonerigg Riding Centre, both at Carlisle, serve the far north of Cumbria including the Solway coast for visitors combining riding with Hadrian's Wall heritage.
Rydal Mount Equestrian Centre at Gilcrux sits in the western fells.
Beach riding on the Solway
The Solway coast (the western shore of Cumbria, looking across to Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland) has long sand beaches at low tide that take horses for miles. Cumbrian Heavy Horses runs beach trips here on the heavy breeds. Murthwaite Green also covers Solway hacking.
The Solway is quieter than Cornwall and Scotland for beach riding tourism: less Instagram, more proper riding country. The trade-off is fewer commercial operators, so options are limited to the dedicated trekking centres in the area.
You can browse the full Cumbria directory for additional venues including livery yards and lesson-only schools.
Combining riding with a Lake District trip
Three natural pairings:
- Wordsworth and the Romantic poets: Dove Cottage at Grasmere and Rydal Mount (the poet's later home, near Rydal Mount Equestrian) are both within reach of Kendal-based riding.
- Beatrix Potter country: Hill Top farm at Near Sawrey is 30 minutes from Bigland Hall and Witherslack riding bases.
- Hadrian's Wall: northern Cumbria yards (Blackdyke, Stonerigg) are within easy reach of Birdoswald and Vindolanda Roman forts. Add a guided wall walk to a half-day ride.
- Cumbrian whisky and food: the Lake District has growing distilleries (Lakes Distillery near Bassenthwaite) and serious restaurants (L'Enclume in Cartmel). All within reach of southern Lakes riding bases.
When to come
May to October is the riding season. May and June are the driest months in the typically wet Lakes. July and August get the most visitors generally but Lakes riding stays manageable because the centres aren't packed. September and October give the best autumn colours across the fells.
Winter riding is open at most centres but conditions are challenging: short daylight, frequent rain, cold winds across the fells. Cumbrian Heavy Horses runs through winter with appropriate route adjustments.
Practical information
What it costs
- Lake District lesson: £35 to £55 group, £55 to £80 private
- Half-day trekking: £80 to £130
- Cumbrian Heavy Horses half-day: from around £130; full day from around £230
- Multi-day riding holiday with accommodation: £600 to £1,400+ depending on length and luxury level
What to wear
Long trousers, boots or sturdy trainers with a small heel, and waterproofs even in summer. The Lake District genuinely lives up to its name on rainfall: pack better waterproof gear than you think you need. Helmets are provided. For full-day rides, bring snacks and water.
Booking
For Cumbrian Heavy Horses in summer, book 6 to 12 weeks ahead. International clients often book 6 months ahead. For half-day trekking elsewhere, two to four weeks is usually fine. Lesson-only bookings are typically available a few days out.
Riding elsewhere in Britain
The Lake District pairs naturally with adjacent regions for a longer UK riding trip:
- Scotland is 90 minutes north over the border, with similar landscape but bigger scale: Highland trekking, the Bass Rock beach gallop at Seacliff, and the Borders eventing scene.
- The Cotswolds is 3 hours south for pastoral English riding country: village hacks, Beaufort polo, B&B with stables, and the contrast to fell country.
- Cornwall is at the opposite end of England for beach riding: Perranporth and Crantock are the headline tourist hacks, complementing Solway-coast Cumbrian beach rides.
Where to start
For the headline Lake District riding experience: book Cumbrian Heavy Horses at Bootle.
For a base in the southern Lakes with serious tuition available: head to Bigland Hall at Ulverston or Holmescales at Kendal.
For trekking the western fells: book Murthwaite Green at Millom or Cumbrian Heavy Horses.
For northern Lakes and Hadrian's Wall combined: book Leacett Cottage at Penrith and Blackdyke Farm at Carlisle.
For everything else, browse the Cumbria directory for the full list.
If you run a Cumbrian riding centre and your stables aren't listed, claim or add your venue for free.