Beach Ride
Level Required: Experienced/Advanced.
Established and confident in all paces on forward going horses. Riding regularly, hacking. Experience in riding different types of horses with varying temperaments in a variety of environments including large open spaces.
Seasonal: October-June
The minimum age for this ride is 12 years old.
The aristocratic Bankes family, who once owned Corfe Castle and Kingston Lacy near Wimborne, spent summers at their Studland residence, now the Pig on the Beach hotel.
They knew there’s nothing like fresh sea air for invigorating mind and body, and nowhere better than four miles of golden sand for letting your hair down and enjoying the outdoors.
On his death in 1981, Ralph Bankes bequeathed the Bankes estate, including Studland, Corfe Castle and Kingston Lacy, to the National Trust.
As our most popular ride, the beach ride has given so many riders an amazing experience for many years. With 3 miles of sandy beach along Studland Bay, the beach ride is a spectacular ride with views of Old Harry Rocks, Bournemouth Beach and Sandbanks and Poole Bay.
The group beach ride is for experienced > advanced riders who must be established and confident at all paces hacking out in large open spaces, riding regularly, able to maintain a light seat in canter, control their horse confidently and keep horses in one line not overtaking others. Throughout the ride we will go for a few long stretches of trot and canter, tide and walkers permitting.
For less experienced riders we can do private and semi-private beach rides to go at their own pace without the pressure of the group. It can be a 1 hour 15 minutes’ ride or a 2-hour ride.
You’re not able to book via the website, to book email the yard via the CONTACT page
What to wear
- Jodhpurs or full-length trousers/leggings must be worn for your ride
- Boots with a slight heel should be worn, we can provide boots if needed.
- Current standard riding hats must also be worn for the duration of your ride, hats are provided if you need to use one
- For our gentleman riders, it is advisable to wear tight fitting underwear (eg, briefs)
Extra Information
- If you are coming via Wareham and Corfe Castle please drive with care on the country roads, any road closures can be found here
- If you are coming via Poole or Bournemouth and plan on using the Sandbanks Ferry please check their website for service updates: here
- If you require public transport the Purbeck Breezer passes through Studland, click here to find the timetable.