A trip to the beach can be a brilliant day out for both horse and rider. Amazing stretches of golden sands with the ocean sound behind you, what more could you want? Whether you are looking for a relaxed ride, or some canter work on great going, check out our top picks for British beaches and get inspired.
Alnmouth Beach Alnwick, Northumberland
Sitting behind the pretty little village of Alnmouth, this beach is both beautiful and quiet, perfect for younger horses. The beach is split into three sections, with the main wide bay situated right next to the public car park, so access is easy.
Parking is available at the Boathouse Car Park.
Look out for the concrete cubes along the beach that were put in place during the second world war
Check out the tide times here
Berrow Beach Sedgemoor, Somerset
Berrow is part of the seven mile beach stretching from the southern end of Berrow Flats between Burnham-on-Sea and Brean Down and has the world’s second highest tidal range.
See if you can spot the old shipwreck visible at low water – but be aware of the exposed mud.
Parking is available at Unity Farm
Check out the tide times here
Godrevy Beach St Ives, Cornwall
Boasting 3 miles of golden sand, Godrevy is owned and looked after by the National Trust. If luck is on your side, your ride could also incorporate a spot of seal spotting!
Parking is available at the National Trust carpark directly behind the beach.
Check out the tide times here
Talacre Beach Holywell, Flintshire, Wales
Public Bridleway No.32 is definitely the route to take at Talacre. Enjoy 5 miles of golden sands to the county boundary with Denbighshire. Make sure you check out the lighthouse, which has a nearby spot for fish and chips.
Parking at Bridlewood or the main beach carpark.
Check out the tidal times here
Holkham Beach Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
If you head here during the summer, you could bump into the Household Cavalry. They do an annual visit, so their horses can enjoy the beach and get out of London!
Horse access to the beach is only from the end of Lady Anne’s Drive, follow the signs from here and they should safely navigate you through the dunes and onto this amazing beach.
Parking is available at Holkham Nature Reserve.
Check out the tide times here
Camber Sands Rye, East Sussex
Camber Sands is the only sand dune system in East Sussex, although make sure you stay clear of riding on them! This is one of the only sandy beaches in the region and stretches for nearly 5 miles.
All information about parking and summer time riding restrictions can be found on The Rother District Council website.
Check out tidal times here
Fraisthorpe Beach Bridlington, East Yorkshire
Fraisthrope beach is popular among equestrians because of the miles of flat sand but be careful as this also means it is often frequented with kite surfers.
Parking can be found on the cliff top at Auburn Farm, which is right on the edge of the beach.
Top tip: Visit the Cow Shed café adjacent to the carpark.
Check out the tide times here
“Cantering along the beach quickens the heartbeat and lifts your spirit”
7 Top Tips:
- – Make sure the beach you have in mind is open to equestrians.
- – Beach car parks can often have height barriers, so make sure to check you can fit before parking.
- – Look at tide times and when horses are allowed on the beach (restrictions can be put in place, often so riders can enjoy the beach at quieter times).
- – There may be places on the beach where riding isn’t permitted, so make sure you know if any areas are out of bounds.
- – Respect beach wildlife and avoid disturbing them, particularly in sand dunes.
- – Salt and tack do not mix, be ready for a spot of tack cleaning post-ride.
- – It is always fun to take your horse for a dip, but caution is needed. Do not ride in the water if you cannot see the sandy bottom. Do a recce to check that your path is clear and safe. Potential dangers to look out for are rocks, holes, sea life and ocean shelves.
If we’ve missed your favourite beach then let us know, tag us in your pictures on social media using #KBISBeachRides
Disclaimer: The information in this article has been collected to provide useful facts on seleted beaches. However, we strongly suggest you check all information before commencing a trip, to ensure that there haven’t been any changes or amendments.
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