Pam Brown once said: “A horse is the projection of peoples’ dreams about themselves – strong, powerful, beautiful – and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence”. And this sentiment still rings true – saddling up a horse gives a unique, exciting perspective to rediscover the world. It’s easy to fall into the well-trodden tourist itinerary of attractions in London or Edinburgh when travelling the UK. But, if you break away to the nearest stables, there’s a different way to discover all the UK offers.

Whether you re-tread the steps of the Jacobite army, navigate Snowdonia’s wilderness, or gallop across remote English beaches, horse trekking in the UK provides excitement in bucketloads. The combination of rugged natural landscapes and abundant history means there is plenty to learn and admire. And there’s no reason to compromise luxury to experience the UK on horseback since select tours cater specifically to luxury travellers. To help guide you through the UK’s best luxury horse trekking experiences, we’ve carefully selected our seven top picks.

1. Go Horse Trekking on the ‘Scottish Castles Trail Ride’

For seasoned riders, Equestrian Escapes’ ‘Scottish Castle Trail Ride’ offers a thorough immersion into Scotland with between 4 to 5 hours of riding a day. The ride is spread over six days and navigates the Scottish Border. En-route you will stop at notable landmarks, historic castles, and luxury overnight accommodation.

Riders will have special access to several important attractions, including Traquair Castle, the ‘oldest inhabited castle in Scotland’. Guests may even receive a tour of the castle with Lady Catherine, the lady and descendant of famed Scottish queen Mary Queen of Scots.

Aside from castles and history, riders can spot native wildlife while trekking. Deer, an iconic animal in Scottish and wider Celtic culture, are particularly common on the route. You also have the opportunity to undertake non-riding-related activities, such as playing golf at legendary St Andrews or embarking on a day trip to a traditional distillery.

2. Explore the Brecon Beacons and a Country Spa

If you are looking for a slightly shorter trekking experience, Equestrian Escapes also lists a ‘Trail Ride in the Brecon Beacons’. An ideal long weekend escape to the Welsh countryside, the experience is spread over two nights and three days.

By day, you will explore the Brecon Beacons, one of the UK’s most revered National Parks. And, guests have plenty of choice from trekking style. The tour operates multiple treks to cater to beginners, then intermediate and advanced riders. For those wanting a faster-paced ride, the intermediate and advanced rides allow for canters and galloping. Whereas, if you are new to riding or are nervous about getting back in the saddle, the beginner rides are at a lower cost and slower speed to allow an enjoyable experience for all.

When dark falls, guests have the luxury option of staying in a Georgian-style, country hotel to experience indulgent Welsh hospitality. After a thrilling day in the saddle, you can make use of the hotel pool and spa facilities. Take a swim or relax any aches away with the jacuzzi jets. Luckily, with an onsite restaurant, you won’t have to go far for high calibre dining. So spend a long evening enjoying the hotel facilities before leisurely making your way upstairs for your dinner reservation.

3. Track the Rugged Causeway Coastal Route

To explore Northern Ireland’s famous Causeway Coast, set aside a little longer and indulge in slower travel by horseback. Bespoke Equestrian Ireland offers a seven-night, six-day trekking package, starting with an airport pick-up service and one-night accommodation in Dublin.

Ideal for those wishing to combine the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland smoothly in one trip, guests can enjoy an afternoon and evening in lively Dublin. On day two, you can sit back as a passenger on a scenic road trip across the border and into the UK – stopping at exciting locations and refreshment at the tea rooms of Glenarm Castle on the way.

From day three, your riding experience begins. Racing across beaches, paddling in the Atlantic sea, and riding winding, wooded bridleways through protected forests, exploring the Causeway Coast by horseback is embracing Northern Ireland to its fullest. The ride also includes access to the Giants Causeway, a UNESCO heritage site, and the natural phenomenon of basalt columns. Aside from stunning landscapes, there is lots to spot en-route. The Causeway Coast was used to film significant scenes in the leading series Game of Thrones, which your guide will point out during your ride.

4. Trace the footstep of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest

The story of the loveable bandit Robin Hood is a childhood tale for those in the UK, and his story has been spread across the globe thanks to author Howard Pyle and several films and TV series. Sherwood Forest is a notable location both in fictitious renditions of Robin Hood’s life and a base for him in his real life. Riding through Sherwood Forest with Equestrian Escapes, you can retrace the outlaw’s steps while appreciating some of the UK’s most beautiful woodlands.

With spa and pool facilities at your accommodation, you can enjoy a balanced three days and two nights of woodland horse trekking and indulgent relaxation. Across two days of riding, you have access to canter tracks through woodland and the scenic limestone gorge of Creswell Crags. Groups are split between experienced and beginners, with beginners offered a lesson followed by a quarry hack and experienced riders heading on a three-hour hack to Creswell Crags.

For an even more unique experience, you can opt to purchase carriage driving and side-saddle add-ons to your trekking package – embracing more traditional, challenging new ways of exploring by horse.

5. Race across Dartmoor National Park

Exploring Dartmoor’s National Park on horseback gets you to the remote areas where vehicles can’t go, and your legs might not last walking. Besides, if that hasn’t sold you, the open moor means that most tracks are ideal for extended canters and galloping.

Liberty Trails is a luxury horse trekking operator that specialises in indulgent packages for confident and advanced riders. Their ‘Saddle, Spa and Castle Stay’ trek stands out as the most balance between exhilaration and rejuvenation. Spaced over two days, you can expect a consistently fast pace and even food vans and picnics driven out to meet you on your ride.

Overnight, guests stay at the five-star Bovey Castle Hotel, with full access to the spa, pool, and golf facilities onsite. After a speedy day in the saddle, a swim in the indoor pool is a great way to counteract any muscular tightness. The pool views over the River Bovey and Dartmoor National Park create a beautiful atmosphere for some downtime.

6. Choose Flexible Horse Trekking at Newton Equestrian in Cornwall

For a slightly different arrangement, at Newton Equestrian, you can opt to stay onsite in one of two luxury, self-catered cottages. While onsite, you then have the flexibility to book either lessons or single-day treks across beaches and moorland from your doorstep. An experience at Newton Equestrian is ideal for those who prefer a single-day trek or perhaps a refresher riding lesson before embarking on a trek.

Apart from the riding opportunities, you can enjoy a gym, indoor heated pool, and sauna exclusively available to guests during their stay. And, from your cottage patio, you have access to a private hot tub – sheltered from the element with aesthetic wooden roofing with an airy skylight and subtle lighting features.

There are many entertainment prospects with an onsite games room featuring a dartboard, snooker and pool table, and table tennis facilities. Since Trewenna sleeps nine and Scrumpy Cottage sleeps six, you should also consider staying at Newton Equestrian centre if you are part of a larger group of friends or extended family. The balance and wealth of recreational facilities mean that your horse trekking experience can take up as much, or little, of your holiday as you wish.

7. Experience the charm of the Lake District

Literature lovers, and particularly Wordsworth fans, may be familiar with the influence of the Lake District on the era of Romantic literature. Located in the north of England, the Lake District is a mountainous protected district, famed for its impressive Lake Windermere – which holds the title of the ‘largest natural lake in England’.

Unicorn Trails offer a five-day, six-night horse trekking experience through the Lake District, focusing on scenery and plenty of hearty pub food. The trekking pace is a mixture of walk, trot, and canter, perfect for advanced, confident riders. Those who want the challenge of navigating steep and adventurous patches of terrain will love this trek, which winds up passes and drops down through lakeside valleys.

You will ride past Dove Cottage, once home to Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy, and historic buildings such as the 14th century Kentmere Hall. Exploring on horseback is a definite way to transport yourself back centuries. Instead of driving through the Lake District’s remote villages, slowly experiencing them is a luxury that many unknowingly skip over. Just don’t forget to bring a saddle bag so that you can safely transport your camera for pictures.