Horse Riding in Norfolk

Some things are just best straight from the horse's mouth: Norfolk is heaven for horses! Trotting along country lanes and bridle routes through forests and heathland you'll take in beautiful unspoilt countryside and you can ride for miles without another person in sight. Or experience the huge expansive beaches of the Norfolk coast and enjoy an exhilarating gallop along the deserted sand.

With its expanses of flat open land, country roads, bridle routes, forests and heathland, Norfolk is a great area to enjoy horse riding.

Jump to: Bridle routes in Norfolk // Riding schools // Animal centres

Enjoy one of Norfolk's many bridle routes

Bridle routes in Norfolk

Why not try one of the Norfolk bridle and cycle routes? There are routes around Brooke/Saxlingham, Hockwold-cum-Wilton, Massingham, Morningthorpe, Reepham and Swaffham, and the Fens. Visit the Countryside Access website for more information and to print out a map. These routes are specially designed for horse riders and vary in length from 10 to 25 miles, but they can easily be lengthened or shortened. All the routes are well waymarked and maintained.

Follow the ancient Peddars Way path which runs for 63 miles from Knettishall to the North Norfolk coast. The riding route uses farm tracks and minor roads and follows, or meanders close to, the old Roman road and includes part of the ancient Icknield Way. See the National Trail website for more details or their Bridleway Route and Information Map PDF.

Pick up the 21 mile Marriott's Way along an old railway line from Norwich to Aylsham. The route is waymarked and for riders, walkers and cyclists. Or discover a gentle route through the forest known as Harling Drove. Once used for taking flocks and herds from our fenland farms to the East Harling market, the route offers stunning views of ancient heaths and meres dating back to prehistoric times.

Thetford Forest is the jewel in the crown, as riders have free access to the majority of the forest allowing you to explore the area's landscape, heritage and wildlife. There are around 60 miles of waymarked riding and carriage trails to enjoy within the largest lowland pine forest in Britain. Further information is available from the Forestry Commission or the Brecks Horse riding breaks in and around Thetford Forest PDF.

Riding Schools

If you haven't ridden before, now's the time to start! We have a good number of British Horse Society Approved riding schools in Norfolk, including the centre at Blackborough End, where you can take lessons or join organised hacks. Or if you have your own horse, bring him on a riding holiday in Norfolk with you - we have several recommended livery centres and a range of farms and B&Bs (such as Whitehall Farm B&B) that can offer a bed for both of you!

Animal Centres

If you don't fancy riding but just want to get closer to these wonderful creatures, Norfolk has two special rescue centres that do all they can to save mistreated horses. Both Redwings and the World Horse Welfare centre at Snetterton have visitor centres with a café, shop and information area and you can wander round acres of paddocks to meet horses, ponies, donkeys and even mules. In fact, if any particularly take your fancy, you can even adopt them!

Or how about some fun at the Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary with its collection of different breeds of draft horses and ponies? They also have old horse-drawn machinery wagons and carts from the pre-war era. You can meet the animals and watch various working demonstrations from horse ploughing to blacksmith days.