Explore the county of Nottinghamshire on horseback

As well as exploring quiet lanes, you can use Nottinghamshire’s network of designated routes. There are a few rules though. You must stick to the marked bridleways and byways as it's illegal to ride on a footpath. Bridleways are often marked with blue arrows and byways with red arrows. They're clearly marked on Ordnance Survey Landranger and Explorer maps.  For further details; see ‘Planning horse ride routes – where you can ride?’ on the Nottinghamshire County Council website.

Also, within this website, you will see that they have produced a guide on ‘Exploring Nottinghamshire on Horseback – six circular rides’.  This guide can be purchased on-line for a small fee.  The route includes;

·  Sherwood

·  Vicar Water

·  Epperstone

·  Kimberley

·  Hoveringham

·  Gotham

Find a Riding Centre

Finding somewhere to ride, especially for the first time, can be a bit daunting. The British Horse Society website gives lots of details to help you find somewhere to learn safely and effectively where you can be sure that all the necessary standards have been met.  Also, within their website you can find comprehensive lists of approved centres within Nottinghamshire that offer; hacking, treking, liveries as well as riding instruction. 

Country Parks

Nottinghamshire has some great areas for horse riding, a few are listed below – but you can find much more if you explore.

Clumber park has a good network for horse riders.  You need a permit to ride here, which you can get from the National trust website, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Sherwood Pines website and Blidworth Woods website both had details of woodland paths.  These are Forestry Commission sites and you need a permit to ride.  Contact the Forestry Commission to arrange a permit.

Bestwood Country Park has permissive bridleways marked with signs stating ‘TRAIL’, which are also open to walkers and cyclists.  If you’re bringing a horse box, please contact the rangers who will be able to advise you where to park.

The County of Nottinghamshire has plenty of horse riding routes and clubs to explore, making it the perfect place to spend a weekend of activity for all you horse lovers.  To help you with your plans, we have put together lots of information within this website to help you find directions to and around Nottinghamshire.  Including information about the surrounding towns and of course the city of Nottingham, ideas of where to stay, eat, nightlife and perhaps places to visit and things to do when you are not out riding in the Nottinghamshire countryside!