Dartmoor

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome to Dartmoor, globetrotters! This afternoon, you’ll make your way to the Castle Inn in Lydford, enjoying a teaser of the stunning scenery in Dartmoor National Park along the way. The welcoming staff at the Inn will show you to your rooms, where you can freshen up before getting to know your guides, Phil and Mandi, and your fellow riders over a pint at the on-site pub. Then Phil and Mandy will head back to the farm to make their final preparations for the week’s adventures while you sit down for a hearty dinner (remember, evening meals on this itinerary are at your own expense). Finally, feeling full and jolly, you’ll tumble into bed.

Day 2: Meldon Farm

This morning, you’ll fill up with a full English breakfast at the Castle Inn before heading to Meldon Farm, where Phil and Mandi will have their magnificent team of horses ready and waiting. After a briefing on the horses, the trails and the Western riding style, you will mount your equine partner for the week and get to know one another over a relaxed four-hour ride. The scenery today is quintessential moorland and your guides will give you an introduction to Dartmoor’s plants, animals, traditions and history as you ride.

At around the halfway point, you’ll dismount at a gorgeous spot by the river for lunch. Come afternoon, everyone will be well acquainted with their horses and tack, and there will be chances to enjoy a few steady canters across the rolling hills. Then it’s back to the Castle Inn for a relaxing evening with the locals.

Day 3: Dartmoor National Park

Today you’ll up the ante with a wonderful four to five hour ride deeper into Dartmoor National Park. The morning brings some brisk, ground-covering canters, then in the afternoon, the terrain gets more technical, with climbs, descents, and some challenging stream crossings where your Quarter Horse can show off his agility. Your lunch spot offers a fantastic vista of Dartmoor, from the moorland itself to the vales and villages.

This evening you’re staying at the charming Two Bridges Hotel on the banks of the West Dart River. There’s history galore, comfy accommodation, and a modern menu celebrating local produce.

Day 4: Widecombe

After a relaxed breakfast at the Two Bridges, you’ll head back to the horses and ride on towards Widecombe (pronounced ‘Widdycumb’), with three to four hours in the saddle. The route is slow-paced, but extremely scenic. Think whisper-quiet forestry trails that suddenly open up to reveal far-reaching views and hidden valleys.

Your picnic lunch will be laid out by the river at Postbridge, named after its medieval ‘clapper bridge’ consisting of two piers of stacked granite supporting three enormous granite slabs that span the river. Afterwards, you’ll take bridleways that weave between farmland and open moorland, with one lovely canter to round out the day.

Tonight you’ll be accommodated at a farm B&B in Widecombe, with dinner at a charming local inn.

Day 5:

MAY & JULY: From your farm base, you will mount up to explore the bracken-covered hills, craggy granite tors (outcrops), stonewalled fields and open moorland around Widecombe. This is a very relaxed, four to five hour ride primarily at a walk, rewarded with extremely picturesque hilltop scenery. You’ll have lunch by the river at Newbridge, then follow the river through more beautiful woodland inthe afternoon.

Time permitting, you’ll pull up at the Rugglestone Inn for a pint on the way back to last night’s B&B.

AUGUST: The journey continues as you take the well-known Two Moors Way from Widecombe to Chagford. Though there are just three to four hours in the saddle, the route packs a lot in: a long climb up Hameldown Hill, a historical stop at the Bronze Age village of Grimspound, the Golden Dagger tin mine, free-roaming cattle and ponies, and plenty of beauty spots, besides.

Arriving in the town of Chagford, you will leave the horses in a nearby field and head to the Globe Inn for a delightful meal and a cosy bed.

SEPTEMBER: Today the horses get a rest as you take in the quaintest and most utterly English event you will ever see: Widecombe Fair. Once a livestock market for local farmers, it’s now a hot-pot of semi-serious agricultural competition (think ‘best potato’, native pony classes, livestock judging and bale-tossing) plus woodchopping, Morris dancers, medieval archery, tug-o’-war, terrier racing and the infamous Tom Cobley Race (you’ll be glad you’re travelling on horseback!). It’s quite the introduction to village life!

Come evening, you’ll return to last night’s B&B for dinner and some shut-eye.

Day 6: Chagford

MAY, JULY & SEPTEMBER: Ride to Chagford (see description under ‘Day 5: AUGUST’). Overnight at the Globe Inn in Chagford.

AUGUST: Today the horses get a rest as you attend the Chagford Show. For Devon folk, this is a highlight of the social calendar. There’s a full schedule of livestock, dog and horse events, rural crafts, baking and produce competitions, lumberjack demonstrations, over 300 stalls spruiking gorgeous local products, a vintage tractor parade, live music, and the ‘Lamb Grand National’!

This evening you’ll head back to the Globe Inn for dinner (if you’re not already fit to burst!) and a good night’s sleep.

Day 7: Meldon Farm

Your journey through Dartmoor comes full circle today, leading you back to Meldon Farm. For most of the route, you’ll be riding quite high, exposed to the weather but with cracking views as your reward. There will be plenty of windswept canters across the open moorland, and you’ll even get to ride through (yes, through!!) a couple of neolithic stone circles! Lunch is often enjoyed at the same beautiful location you visited on the first riding day, offering a lovely chance to reflect on all the places you’ve been, and things you’ve seen, in just six days.

After about four hours in the saddle, you’ll reach Meldon Farm and say goodbye to your wonderful equine partner. Then it’s back to the Castle Inn in Lydford (or another well-esteemed local inn) for one last night of merriment with your fellow globetrotters.

Day 8: Depart

After breakfast this morning, you will bid farewell to your new-found friends and either self-drive or be transferred to Okehampton Railway Station for your onward travels.