Adventure vacations in England

Discover Cornwall

Overview

The ride is centered in the heart of Bodmin Moor, one of the largest unspoiled areas left in England. The Cobs, Shires and Moorland Ponies will help you discover mile upon mile of wild open moorland, rocky tors, atmospheric wooded valleys and sparkling streams, all steeped in thousands of years of history.

During the Bronze Age from about 2,500 to 800 B.C. Cornwall was a busy place as the tin mines there were some of the best in Europe and tin is an indispensable ingredient of bronze.  In a later era the remote, jagged coast made it an ideal location for pirates and smugglers.  The famous Jamaica Inn, featured in Daphne du Maurier’s novel, later made into a movie, is nearby and you will have dinner in this historic inn.  The itinerary also includes a visit to the lovely fishing village of Padstow and to King Arthur’s Castle in Tintagel – the Camelot so steeped in romance.

This trip in Cornwall allows you to explore the best of horseback riding in England.  Most of Britain is too built up to provide unbroken countryside for riding tours but this area is more rural and offers chances for long canters in unspoiled, open stretches.  Cornwall is on the extreme southern tip of England on a long peninsula reaching into the sea.  Like Wales, Scotland and Ireland it has many Gallic place names and retains cultural connections with other Celtic regions including Brittany.  It has the sunniest and most temperate climate in England.  The 400 mile coastline with 700 ft. high cliffs in places shelters picturesque fishing villages in protected coves. This spectacular coast line plus Celtic ruins, light blue waters, gardens, parks, and unique  architecture certainly place it high among the most scenic areas of England.

Accommodations are in spacious newly remodeled cottages which boast a clean, modern decor inside. Each has a fully equipped kitchen and a dining and living area. Each relaxing bedroom has its own en suite bathroom.

Breakfast and some of the lunches will be served at the cottage while one of the lunches and all dinners will be taken at quaint pubs in the area. Dinners and the one lunch in Padstow are an out of pocket expense.

  • Overview:
    The stable has a variety of native breed horses and ponies from the UK which are suitably picked to cope with the terrain on the Moors. They are familiar with the moorland wildlife including cattle, sheep, buzzards and the occasional fox and will take the changing terrain in stride, but are equally keen to explore whatever lies ahead. These tough and willing horses have common sense, strength, sure-footedness with the right temperament to carry you over this terrain. Tack is comfortable English all purpose saddles, and most bits used are snaffles.
  • Horse Breeds:
    Moorland ponies, Cobbs, Shires and crosses
  • Tack:
    English
  • Weight limit:
    210 lbs

While riders are on horseback, there are no separate activities planned for non-riders, who can enjoy the accommodations and region independently.

Bodmin Parkway train station

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Pick up from Bodmin Parkway train station. Upon arrival at the farm in the heart of Bodmin Moor, settle into your modern, comfortable converted stable accommodation with a traditional Cornish Cream Tea (scones, jam and lots of clotted cream). Welcome from your hosts Paul and Jen followed by a tour of the yard and time to meet the horses and talk through the program for the week.
Dinner at a local pub – the St Breward Inn (the highest Inn in Cornwall) – a cozy retreat.

Day 2

A full English breakfast (bacon, sausages, eggs, toast, tea and coffee) will be prepared in your cottage, which also has a fully equipped kitchen.
Riding assessment in the outside arena to pair you with the most suitable horse for your stay followed by a mid-morning ride out onto the Moor.
Return to Hallagenna for lunch before setting off on an afternoon ride to Alex Tor through parts of Bodmin Moor, a truly magical place – home to ancient settlements, hut circles, burial chambers and more recently, the domain of smugglers and pirates. Now it is a quiet haven, home to plentiful wildlife, breathtaking scenery and a wildness that is difficult to find elsewhere.  (2-3 hours riding)

Dinner will be at St Breward Inn again.

Day 3

After a full English breakfast, take in different scenery as you ride along the trail that takes you towards Delford Bridge for a splash through the De Lank River, before heading across Kernow Downs and out on the vast Manor Common. From there you will see two of the many Tors or rocky outcrops on the moor – Carbilly Tor and Hawks Tor. You’ll also visit the Trippet Stones, a bronze age standing stone circle said to be maidens turned into stone for dancing on the sabbath. Cross Manor Common up to wallhouse, a short trek through the lanes of Waterloo and arrive at the village of Blisland where you will hitch the horses on the village green outside Blisland Inn and enjoy a well deserved lunch. After the welcome refreshment mount up and head to Pendrift Downs to visit Jubilie Rock. This granite rock was carved in 1809-10 by Lieutenant John Rogers and his men to commemorate King George III’s jubilee. It features Britannia and various Coats of Arms and is updated with new carvings on special occasions. Head back to Halleganna. (4-5 hours riding). Enjoy a cup of tea and relax for an hour before heading out to St Tudy’s Inn for your evening meal, a delightful traditional local pub for some locally supplied produce and real ales to wet your appetite.

Day 4

Breakfast will be prepared, before saddling up for a morning ride, taking in some different moorland scenery. Ride along the wooded valleys of the Camel Trail to Hellandbridge, returning through Helligan woods alongside the river Camel up to the moor an then return to Hallagenna at midday before setting out to nearby Tintagel.  (3 hours riding)
Enjoy Cornish pastries at the farm (or lunch in Tintagel) before taking a local taxi (cost included) out to nearby Tintagel – home to the fabled Castle of King Arthur. It’s a quaint Cornish village full of tea shops, antique shops and a fascinating Centre of Arthurian legend. The Castle itself is a strong walk downhill, before climbing up onto the promontory which is home to the 6th century ruins.
You then continue on to The Port William pub at Trebarwith Strand, just along the coast. This pub still has a smugglers tunnel leading to the beach below and boasts one of the best sea views in the county.

Day 5

After breakfast, you will head out on The Rocky Tor Trail
This trail ride takes you out across the moor to Alex Tor, from where you can take in the breathtaking moorland views reaching as far as the North Cornwall Coast. Then ride on to Rough Tor, which at 1,313 feet, is the second highest point in Cornwall. At the summit is a “Logan” rock, a huge piece of granite which will rock gently if you stand on the right spot! From Rough Tor and its many Bronze Age hut circles, ride along the foot of the highest point in Cornwall at 1,375 feet – Brown Willy or Bronn Wennili in Cornish, meaning Swallow’s Hill. Ride past woodlands to Davidstow Moor and Crowdy reservoir, one of north Cornwall’s main water supply reservoirs and home to a wildlife reserve.
Onto Davidstow Airfield for some canters and gallops. The airfield played an important role during the Second World War and was home to American and Canadian troops. Stop at Roughtor Farm for a late lunch including sandwiches and traditional Cornish cream tea with spectacular views across the Moor.
Back in the saddle ride past further stone circles and ancient signs of settlements before coming to Casehill Downs and King Arthurs Hall. This is one of the most fascinating sites on the moor, thought to be an ancient Neolithic or early Bronze Age ceremonial site. It consists of roughly fifty-six stones arranged in a rectangle with a bank of earth around them. (5-6 hours riding)
Enjoy your evening meal at nearby St Mabyn Inn.

Day 6

Breakfast and then off onto another hidden corner of the moor. Over Casehill to Ivy Downs onto Hawks Tor. Through the Race to Manor and through Carbaglet and return to Hallagenna at midday. (2-3 hours riding depending on starting time).
Change out of your riding gear to head off to one of the most famous and picturesque villages in Cornwall – Padstow. It’s a vibrant fishing port still and home to some of the most famous chefs in the UK – Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth. There are plenty of interesting shops, boutiques and tea rooms to browse. There are also a number of pubs, cafes and eateries to choose from for lunch (an out of pocket expense) – or do as the locals do and enjoy a traditional pasty sitting on the quayside.
From Padstow continue by car to the nearby town of Wadebridge for a final dinner at The Ship Inn, a traditional pub serving a wide range of different dishes. Return late evening to Hallagenna.

Day 7

After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to your horse and your hosts before transfers and departure.

Itinerary Addendum

Itinerary/ trail routes can vary or change according to rider ability or due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

Trip Map

Trip Dates & Pricing

Additional dates are available upon request for 2021, please check with us on availability.

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Preferred Trip Dates

Discover Cornwall
December 3, 2024
January 1, 1970
January 1, 1970
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