Dorset Unbridled: A Three-Day Countryside Adventure
This three-day adventure across the ancient kingdom of Wessex promises all the English charm, juicy history, storied landscapes and fine horseflesh you could ask for.
Trip Highlights
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Bounding across rolling hills, clip-clopping down postcard-pretty high streets, jumping in and out of lush fields and summiting windswept ridges
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The absurdly twisty village roads, where tractors hold right of way
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Riding alongside true Dorset legends – Rose, Tom and even the horses have their share of wild stories to tell
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Hopping off your horse to gorge on a lavish picnic and sip crab-apple gin
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Impromptu jaunts with the curious, doe-eyed cows to thank for your buttered breakfast, cheese platter and cream tea
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Staggering, far-reaching views pierced by kites wheeling in the wind
Details
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Riding levels
Strong intermediate to advanced riders only. You must be confident and capable riding English-style, with English tack, and fit enough to ride an athletic horse over varied terrain, often at faster speeds.
Not sure what your riding ability is? See the definitions below.
- Type of tack
English all-purpose saddles and bridles.
- Horse breed
Irish Sport Horses, Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods and Cobs.
- Accommodation
You’ll stay at the much-loved Acorn Inn in the quintessential village of Evershot – a 16th-century coaching inn featured in Tess of the d’Urbervilles, offering charming ensuite rooms, excellent seasonal food, welcoming bars and a sunny beer garden.
- Pace
The pace varies from a walk right through to a fast canter when the terrain permits. Due to the distances covered, there is plenty of cantering. There are even chances to pop over a few natural jumps (optional).
- Weight limit
This itinerary can accommodate 2 riders up to 95kg / 210lbs; all other riders must not weigh more than 85kg / 187lbs.
It is VERY important that you provide your current weight accurately when booking. If your weight is not accurate, we cannot guarantee that your hosts will have a horse for you to ride.
- Group size
A minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 guests.
- Minimum age
18 years of age
- Time in Saddle
On average between 4 to 7 hours per day.
- When to go
August
- Languages
English
What’s included (and what’s not)
Included
- Accommodation
- Guided riding
- All meals
- Some alcohol (picnic refreshments, gin and tonic pre-dinner, and wine with dinner)
Excluded
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Alcoholic drinks not listed in the inclusions list
- Transfers throughout the itinerary
Itinerary
Please note, this is a sample itinerary only. It is subject to change at your guides’ discretion due to weather conditions and other influencing factors.
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Day 1: Arrival & introductory ride
4 hours in the saddleHurrah, your Globetrotting adventure in Dorset is about to begin! Today you’ll meet Rose, your inimitable guide and hostess, and your fellow guests at the Acorn Inn at 12pm. On your way, allow plenty of time to enjoy the progressively more picturesque and intriguing roads and tracks that wind through this corner of Dorset.
After a warm welcome and some light refreshments, Rose will lead the way to meet the horses, as well as your second guide, Tom. Tom knows and loves his horses like family; he will pair everyone with the perfect mount, and support both horse and rider as you get to know one another. If you like a claim to fame, Tom and his team used to take Princes Harry and William fox hunting!
You’ll return from this first thrilling ride in the early evening, no doubt elated and astonished at the dramatic beauty of the local scenery. The delightful team at the Acorn Inn will whip up a mouthwatering dinner featuring local produce, then you’re welcome to explore the options in the two on-site bars or simply chat by the fire before tumbling into your cosy bed.
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Day 2: Dorset adventures
6 to 7 hours in the saddleAfter an emperor-sized breakfast, you’ll head out to meet the horses once more, covering around 15 miles (24 kilometres) of picturesque dairy farms, lushly foliated bridleways, ancient barrows and hilltop forts, Iron Age earthworks, headlands of springy turf just made for a good canter (or cheeky gallop), village greens, and postcard-perfect pubs. Lunch is a picnic, but knowing Rose, it will be a cut above – think real tableware, hearty, colourful salads, and a nip of crabapple gin or a delicious glass of wine. You’ll take your time to rest and enjoy genuine refreshment, the horses grazing contentedly nearby, before riding on. Should you choose to supplement the gentle high-blowing of your horse and the birdsong as the kites soar above you, Rose has some wonderful tales to share. Depending on the time of year, weather and group preferences, the route may be a loop, or A to B, with riders transferred back to their vehicles at the end.
You can expect to return to the Acorn Inn weary, exhilarated and brimming with joy and good humour. After a drink in the beer garden, you’ll scrub up for a fabulous ‘modern British’ dinner and more sparkling and conversation with the cast of locals and your new Globetrotting friends. If you fancy some extra indulgence, the Acorn Inn’s sister hotel, Summer Lodge, has a gorgeous swimming pool and sauna just a 5-minute walk up the road. You can buy a guest pass for £15.
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Day 3: Blackmore Vale
5 to 7 hours in the saddleToday follows much the same colourful, horse-centric pattern as yesterday, only this time, Rose will take you in a different direction and show you a completely new side of Dorset. This could very well be in the heart of the nearby Blackmore Vale, known to Thomas Hardy as the Vale of the Little Dairies (home to his beloved heroine, Tess of the d’Urbervilles). Rose will lead you past landmarks from this famous novel and reveal the intriguing history of the land you’re riding across. Regardless of the route, you’ll enjoy great riding on high quality horses, with fabulous food at a secret lunch spot and a memorable cast of characters.
After all the delicious drama of your final day in the saddle, the warm welcome of the Acorn Inn will be irresistible.
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Day 4: Departure
Non-riding dayThis morning you’ll dig into one last full English breakfast, bid a tearful farewell to Dawn in the kitchen (we’re only half joking!), pack your bags and roll towards your cars, or take a taxi back to the train station at Yeovil, for your onward journey.
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Non-riders
Non-riders are very welcome on the English Rose Ride and can enjoy Dorset’s villages, gardens, pubs and coastline at their own pace, but please note that you must have your own rental car for the duration of the trip. Driving in this part of Dorset is part of the adventure – roads are often narrow, winding and slow, with passing places, blind corners and the occasional farmer moving sheep across the lane. If you are not confident driving on the left-hand side, or are unused to rural UK roads, this is something to consider carefully before joining, as it can be demanding rather than relaxing.
Please also note that the non-rider rate includes breakfast and dinner only; lunch during the day is not included and will be at your own expense while you are out exploring.
Transfer information
This is a self-driving holiday – each ride will have a different meeting point and riders are expected to organise their own transport between the Acorn Inn and the ride locations each day. The Acorn Inn is an hour’s drive from both Bournemouth and Exeter airports, and 2.5 hours from Heathrow Airport.
On day 1, you’ll need to arrive at the Acorn Inn at 12pm.
On the final day, you can depart anytime after breakfast. If flying out this day, it’s important to ensure you reach the airport 3 hours before departure. Please bear this in mind when choosing your flights.
Please note
Globetrotting is happy to help arrange car-shares for guests booked on this ride, and our team of travel agents can assist with booking a hire car.
Accommodation
You’ll be staying at the delightful Acorn Inn in the quintessential Dorset village of Evershot. Dating back to the 16th century, the Inn is featured in Thomas Hardy’s most popular novel, Tess of the d’Urbervilles. There are neat twin rooms, snug single/double rooms, and premium single four-poster rooms, all uniquely charming, with ensuite bathrooms and tea and coffee facilities. The restaurant and breakfast room serve fresh, seasonal, lovingly prepared cuisine; the two on-site bars are well-stocked and tended; and there’s an inviting beer garden for sunny days. The staff are a character study in ‘Best of British’: warm, funny, welcoming, understated, and eager to share their world with their treasured guests. You’ll want to move in rather than check out when the time comes!
Food
Each day begins and ends with a meal at the Acorn Inn, superb local food cooked with imagination and flair. Breakfast includes both a cold continental buffet and cooked items such as eggs, kedgeree, porridge, and of course the classic full English breakfast. Lunches out on the trail are picnics in your guide Rose’s inimitable style. For dinner, you can expect iconic pub fare elevated by some incredible local ingredients.
What's my riding level?
Not sure what your riding level is? Watch our videos to see all our levels.
Beginner
Reasonably confident riding a horse at a walk, a rising trot, and learning to canter.
Intermediate
Confident and in control riding at all paces outside an arena, but not riding regularly. Comfortable and competent using aids {the language of your leg, seat and hands} to communicate with your horse.
Strong Intermediate
An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly outside of an arena and is fit enough to ride for at least six hours per day. Strong intermediate riders are comfortable and competent in all three gaits; able to post or sit to the trot; have an independent seat while cantering (don’t hold onto the saddle); and can pick up the correct canter lead. They can also navigate more complex terrain, including asking a horse to sidestep and jump over a small obstacle.
Advanced
A frequent rider who is very fit, comfortable in the saddle for at least six hours per day, and has an independent seat and soft hands. Advanced riders are confident on a forward-moving horse at all paces over rough and variable ground on open terrain. They can ride over small jumps and know the techniques used to collect a horse
Not sure? Contact our team to help you figure out your riding ability.
