Jousting to driving, meditation to trick riding – fantastic horse experience days around the UK

Riders on a horse trekking experience day in Wales
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Are you looking for a horse experience day to gift someone or to treat yourself? From riding lessons for beginners and archery on horseback for the more advanced to tours of training yards for the ultimate horse racing fan, there is a great selection of experience days to be found. We’ve rounded up all the horse experience days across England, Scotland and Wales in one place so you can find the perfect option near you.

If you’re shopping for a beginner, start by looking for a beginner’s riding lesson or hacking experience. These horse experience days will give a good introduction to the world of horses and riding. If you’re shopping for an accomplished rider – or perhaps are thinking of trying something new yourself – then it’s definitely worth considering stepping up from the trekking options and selecting something like jousting or polo that you wouldn’t usually have a chance to try. And it’s worth remembering that not all horse experience days require the attendee to ride – VIP tours around racing yards and carriage driving experiences are perfect for those who don’t wish to ride but still love horses and are eager for new experiences.

Guided tour of Newmarket for two – £198

Guided tour of Newmarket for two – £198
Go behind the scenes with a morning on the famous gallops, a guided tour of The National Stud and visit a working stables.

Grooming and riding experience for young beginners – £40

Grooming and riding experience for young beginners – £40
A great introduction to the world of ponies for children – learn how to groom and prepare a pony, and enjoy a riding lesson.

Riding experience for beginners – £65

Riding experience for beginners – £65
An introduction to horses for adults – learn how to groom and prepare a horse to ride, and enjoy a riding lesson and scenic ride over the Chiltern Hills.

Horse riding with pub lunch for two – £180

Horse riding with pub lunch for two – £180
Enjoy a long ride in the Chiltern Hills with a pub stop for lunch.

Behind the scenes VIP experience at a Newmarket stables – £119

Behind the scenes VIP experience at a Newmarket stables – £119
Enjoy breakfast on arrival at Saint Wendred’s racing yard, meet the horses and learn about their daily routine.

An introduction to horse riding

An introduction to horse riding
A 30-min riding lesson, followed by a buffet lunch and one hour trek through the beautiful and historic site of Creswell Crags. Plus receive a framed photograph with the horse you rode to show off to friends and family.

Horse riding lesson – £35

Horse riding lesson – £35
Enjoy a group hack near Bestwood Country Park.

Hacking experience – £35

Hacking experience – £35
Enjoy a hack in the Lincolnshire countryside.

Meditation with horses – from £59

Meditation with horses – from £59
Enjoy a meditation and relaxation session led by an animal trainer and meditator.

Introduction to polo – £140

Introduction to polo – £140
Progress from polo on foot to a game experience in just a day with the help of qualified instructors.

Carriage driving lesson for two – £295

Carriage driving lesson for two – £295
Discover the thrills of back stepping a carriage pulled by a pair of ponies.

Private confidence lesson – £110

Private confidence lesson – £110
Regain lost confidence with a one-to-one specialist lesson.

Private jousting session – from £120

Private jousting session – from £120
Dress up as a knight and learn lance skills on horseback.

Vaulting and trick riding session – from £110

Vaulting and trick riding session – from £110
Learn a number of tricks, including drags, stands and vaults on horseback.

Hack in the Highlands – £35

Hack in the Highlands – £35
Take in the scenery of the Scottish Highlands on horseback.

Riding in Windsor Great Park – £120

Riding in Windsor Great Park – £120
Enjoy a hack around the picturesque royal park.

Polo lesson for beginners – £60

Polo lesson for beginners – £60
A chance to have a go at one of the most exciting equestrian sports.

Mechanical horse riding lesson – £75

Mechanical horse riding lesson – £75
Have a 30 minute private lesson on a mechanical horse, followed by 30 minutes on a real horse.

Riding lesson – £35

Riding lesson – £35
Suitable for all levels, including beginners, this lesson will be appreciated by all riders.

Polo game and lunch at Taunton Vale Polo Club – £150

Polo game and lunch at Taunton Vale Polo Club – £150
A two-course lunch followed by a polo match at England’s oldest polo ground.

Full day introduction to polo – £165

Full day introduction to polo – £165
Start the day by hitting the ball on foot, and end it in a full game situation with club players. Includes a lesson on a mechanical horse, lessons on school master polo ponies and lunch.

Horse riding lesson – £35

Horse riding lesson – £35
An introduction to the world of horse riding.

Trekking in Welsh countryside – £35

Trekking in Welsh countryside – £35
Learn the horse riding basics on a trek in Wales.

Jousting experience – £199

Jousting experience – £199
Learn how to compete like a knight with a lance and sword.

Medieval horse archery experience – from £65

Medieval horse archery experience – from £65
Take in the scenery of the Scottish Highlands on horseback.

Medieval trick riding experience – from £80

Medieval trick riding experience – from £80
Become a stunt rider for the day with coaching from a professional stunt man.

Georgia Guerin
Deputy Website Editor and Head of Ecommerce

Georgia is Horse & Hound’s deputy website editor and equestrian products expert. She curates content across the website with a particular focus on upcoming equestrian events horse care and buying advice. She also manages all the ecommerce opportunities that allow us to give you easy access to the best products at the lowest prices via our buying guides. Georgia has first-hand knowledge of all the equestrian brands and their ever-evolving product lines, having been working with them closely since she started in equestrian media in 2015.