This article contains advertising. My booking links are routed through a partner that adds commission tracking automatically, so if you book through one I earn a commission from the provider, at no extra cost to you. It never affects what I recommend. Affiliate disclosure
There is no better way to feel the rhythm of the Cotswold landscape than from the back of a horse. Up there, swaying gently along a grassy bridleway with the wolds rolling away in every direction, you travel at exactly the pace the countryside was made for — quiet, unhurried, and high enough to see over the hedges. The Cotswolds are one of the great riding regions of England, with a deep equestrian heritage and a glorious network of off-road tracks, and whether you have never sat on a horse or you ride every week, there is a saddle here with your name on it.
This guide covers everything you need to ride in the Cotswolds: the best stables and riding centres for all abilities, what a hack through the hills is really like, some wonderfully unique riding experiences, where to watch world-class equestrian events, and exactly what to expect if it is your first time. Pull on some sturdy boots and let’s head for the bridleways.
The Cotswolds: England’s equestrian heartland
The Cotswolds are sometimes called the equestrian capital of England, and with good reason. Horses are woven deep into the fabric of life here: this is the land of Cheltenham’s world-famous jump racing, of grand estates that have bred and ridden horses for centuries, and of royal riders — the Princess Royal lives and competes at Gatcombe Park, in the heart of the region. The whole rural economy and culture has a distinctly horsey flavour.
For the visiting rider, what matters most is the terrain. The Cotswolds are laced with a superb network of bridleways, green lanes and permissive paths that let you ride for miles through farmland, woodland and open wold with very little time spent on roads. Add in the gentle, well-drained limestone going underfoot and some of the prettiest scenery in the country, and you have near-perfect hacking country. Riding is one of the most rewarding of all Cotswolds outdoor activities.
Riding for all abilities: the best stables and centres
One of the joys of riding here is that it is genuinely open to everyone, thanks to a clutch of excellent, welcoming riding centres. Complete beginners, rusty returners and confident regulars are all well catered for, with lessons and escorted rides to match every level of experience.
One of the best known is Cotswolds Riding at Stanton, near Broadway, a famous establishment with a large string of horses and ponies to suit every ability, set amid miles of bridleways with virtually no roadwork — riders travel from all over the world to ride these hills. Barton End Stables, near Nailsworth, is a friendly, British Horse Society-approved centre with a big selection of horses for all standards, while Cotswold Trail Riding at Brookthorpe tailors its hacks to suit you, from a short village ride to an all-day woodland and parkland excursion. Family-friendly stables such as Friars Hill take children from around the age of four, so even the littlest riders can have a go. Booking ahead is always wise, as the best centres are popular.
Hacking and trail riding through the wolds
For most visitors, the highlight is the hack — an escorted ride out through the countryside. There is something deeply restorative about it: the creak of leather, the warmth of the horse, the steady clop of hooves on a soft track, and all around you the patchwork of fields, drystone walls and honey-stone villages. Even a gentle hour-long hack at walking pace delivers views and a sense of peace that are hard to match by any other means.
Most centres offer a range of options, from one- and two-hour hacks ideal for beginners and families to half-day and full-day trail rides for the more experienced, who can enjoy a faster pace with trotting and cantering where the going allows. Longer rides might take in woodland, open downland and the grounds of great estates, with a pub or picnic stop along the way. Whatever your level, an escorted hack with a knowledgeable guide is the perfect introduction to riding in the region — and a wonderful way to reach corners of the countryside that few visitors ever see.
Unique riding experiences
Beyond the standard hack, the Cotswolds offer some truly special riding experiences. Perhaps the most charming is the river ride at Lower Slaughter, where Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre leads riders — including children and nervous first-timers — right through the shallow, crystal-clear ford, with guides walking alongside in the water. Splashing through the river in one of the prettiest villages in England is the kind of magical, only-in-the-Cotswolds moment that stays with you.
For experienced riders, there are grander adventures to be had. The vast parkland of Cirencester Park, home to the horse-loving Bathurst family for some three hundred years, is famous enough in equestrian circles to host endurance riding championships over enormous distances, and several centres can arrange rides through private estates and across sweeping downland. Whether you want a gentle splash through a ford or a proper long-distance adventure, the variety here is a real treat.
Horse riding holidays
If a single hack leaves you wanting more, the Cotswolds are a superb destination for a dedicated riding holiday. Specialist operators offer multi-day rides that combine hours in the saddle with comfortable country accommodation, often moving from place to place so you can trace a proper trail across the region, linking villages, estates and viewpoints, with your horse matched to your ability and your bags transported for you.
These holidays range from gentle, sociable breaks suited to less experienced riders to more demanding trails for confident horsemen and horsewomen who want to cover real ground. They are a wonderful way to experience the landscape in depth and at its own pace, and to enjoy the camaraderie of riding in company. For non-riding partners or family members, the region’s many other attractions are never far away, making a riding holiday easy to build a wider trip around.
The Cotswolds equestrian calendar
Even if you never sit on a horse, the Cotswolds’ equestrian scene is a spectacular thing to watch, and the region hosts some of the most prestigious horse events in the world. The jewel for eventing fans is the Badminton Horse Trials, one of only a handful of five-star events on the planet, held each spring in the grounds of Badminton House, the seat of the Duke of Beaufort. It draws enormous crowds and the world’s best riders for several gruelling days of dressage, cross-country and show jumping.
Close behind is the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park, held over a weekend in early August in the grounds of the Princess Royal’s own home, alongside the Blenheim International Horse Trials and the events at Hartpury. And of course there is the Cheltenham Festival, the pinnacle of National Hunt jump racing, held each March and culminating in the legendary Gold Cup — one of the great occasions in the entire British sporting calendar. You can read more about these in our guide to Cotswolds events and festivals, and about the region’s royal riders in our guide to famous Cotswolds residents.
Riding the bridleways and access
If you are bringing your own horse, or simply curious about where riders are allowed to go, it is worth understanding the access situation. In England, riders can use bridleways, byways and some permissive paths, but not ordinary footpaths, which are reserved for walkers. The Cotswolds are blessed with a relatively dense network of bridleways, and various circular off-road routes have been mapped specifically for riders, though, as with cycling, you will sometimes need short stretches of quiet lane to link them together.
The British Horse Society works hard to protect and extend riders’ access, and is a good source of route information and safety advice. If you are touring with your own horse, a number of farms and equestrian properties across the region offer overnight stabling and grazing, so you can plan a riding trip in stages. Always ride considerately, leave gates as you find them, give way to walkers, and thank drivers who slow down for you — good manners keep the countryside open and welcoming to horses.
Pony rides and riding for children
The Cotswolds are a wonderful place to introduce children to horses. Many centres offer gentle pony rides and lead-rein sessions for the very young, where a parent or instructor walks alongside, as well as group lessons and pony days in the school holidays that build confidence and skills over time. For horse-mad children, a riding session can be the absolute highlight of a family trip.
Family-friendly stables take children from around the age of four, and the calm school ponies are chosen for their patience with small, wobbly riders. The river rides at Lower Slaughter, with guides leading the horses through the shallow water, are especially magical for youngsters. It all makes for a brilliant, screen-free activity that gets children outdoors and connected with animals — one for our wider guide to family days out in the Cotswolds.
Polo, carriage rides and other equestrian experiences
The Cotswold horse scene extends well beyond hacking. The region is a genuine heartland of British polo, with Cirencester Park Polo Club — one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country — staging matches throughout the summer in the beautiful surroundings of the Bathurst estate, and the Beaufort Polo Club near Westonbirt also drawing top players. Watching a chukka or two on a summer afternoon, glass in hand, is a wonderfully glamorous and very Cotswold day out.
For a gentler equine experience, some estates and operators offer horse-drawn carriage rides, a lovely and effortless way to enjoy the scenery for those who would rather not ride. And for keen riders looking to improve, various centres run clinics, courses and lessons in everything from dressage to jumping. Whatever your interest in horses, you will find a way to indulge it here.
Equestrian-friendly places to stay
If horses are the focus of your trip, it is worth seeking out equestrian-friendly accommodation. A number of B&Bs, farms and country hotels across the Cotswolds cater specifically for riders, whether that means being handily placed for the best stables, offering stabling and grazing for guests’ own horses, or simply understanding the muddy-boots-and-early-starts rhythm of a riding holiday.
Basing yourself centrally, near a cluster of good riding centres and bridleways, means you can ride by day and relax in a cosy pub or country hotel by night. And because the Cotswolds offer so much else besides, it is easy to combine a riding break with sightseeing, walking or simply enjoying the villages, keeping everyone in the party happy — whether or not they ever climb into a saddle.
What to wear and what to expect
If you are new to riding, do not worry about kit. Reputable centres provide approved riding hats, and many can lend or hire boots, so you do not need any specialist gear to get started. What you do need is sensible clothing: long trousers such as jeans or leggings to avoid chafing, and footwear with a small heel and a smooth sole that won’t get stuck in the stirrup — wellies or trainers are not ideal, so ask the centre what they recommend if you are unsure.
Expect to be asked about your riding experience when you book, as this helps the centre match you with a suitable horse and ride; always be honest, as it is for your own safety and enjoyment. You will usually be given a short briefing and, for beginners, some basic instruction before heading out. Dress for the weather in layers, as it can be cold and exposed up on the wolds even in summer, and bring a waterproof if rain threatens.
Tips for first-time riders
If it is your first time, relax — everyone starts somewhere, and the Cotswold centres are well used to nervous beginners. Book in advance, especially in the busy summer months, and choose a centre that explicitly welcomes beginners and offers escorted hacks at a gentle pace. Listen carefully to your instructors, who are there to keep you safe and help you enjoy it, and do not be embarrassed to ask questions.
It is completely normal to feel a flutter of nerves as you climb aboard a large animal for the first time, but horses used in riding-school work are chosen for their calm, patient temperaments, and a good guide will keep everything well within your comfort zone. Take it slowly, trust the process, and give yourself over to the experience. Within minutes most people find themselves grinning — and many a lifelong love of riding has begun with a single gentle hack through the Cotswold hills.
One last thought: more than almost any other activity, riding connects you to the deep history of this landscape. For centuries, before cars and even before the great age of coaching, the horse was how people crossed these hills, and to travel the old bridleways on horseback is to follow in the hoofprints of drovers, farmers and travellers going back hundreds of years. It lends even a gentle afternoon hack a lovely sense of continuity — a reminder that, in the Cotswolds, the horse has always been part of the story.
Frequently asked questions about horse riding in the Cotswolds
Can beginners go horse riding in the Cotswolds?
Absolutely. Many Cotswold riding centres specialise in beginners, offering lessons and gentle escorted hacks at walking pace with calm, experienced horses. Centres such as Cotswolds Riding at Stanton, Barton End Stables and Friars Hill cater for all abilities, and some take children from around the age of four. Just be honest about your experience when you book.
What should I wear for horse riding?
Wear long trousers like jeans or leggings, and footwear with a small heel and smooth sole so it won’t slip through the stirrup. Riding hats are provided by reputable centres, and many can lend or hire boots, so you don’t need specialist gear. Dress in layers for the weather, as the wolds can be cold and exposed even in summer.
Where can I watch horse events in the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds host world-class equestrian events including the Badminton Horse Trials (spring), the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park (early August), the Blenheim International Horse Trials and Hartpury events, plus the famous Cheltenham Festival of jump racing each March. These are wonderful days out for spectators, but book tickets in advance for the big ones.
Can you ride through the river at Lower Slaughter?
Yes — Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre offers river rides through the shallow ford at Lower Slaughter, with guides walking alongside in the water. It is perfect for children and nervous first-timers, and splashing through the river in one of England’s prettiest villages is a uniquely memorable Cotswold experience. Book ahead, as these popular rides fill up.
From a gentle first hack to a multi-day trail or a grandstand seat at Badminton, the Cotswolds offer horse lovers an embarrassment of riches — all set against that incomparable backdrop of rolling hills and golden stone. Whatever your level, the bridleways are calling. To plan more active adventures, see our guide to Cotswolds outdoor activities, or for another brilliant way to explore the lanes, our guide to cycling in the Cotswolds. For a change of element altogether, our Cotswold Water Park guide covers watersports across its 180 lakes.
