Catered bespoke riding holidays
We realised that not all of our guests might not want to cater for themselves after a day in the saddle or exploring Cornwall, so we’ve introduced a new catered option as part of our bespoke holiday packages. Guests can now enjoy a Full English or Continental Breakfast prepared in their cottage, with a delicious picnic lunch during the day’s ride. Evening meals can then either be prepared in the cottage or a reservation can be made at one of the many nearby local pubs serving excellent pub food.
Transfers – We can also arrange transfers from Bodmin Parkway train station or Newquay Airport, both about 20 minutes’ drive from Hallagenna.
Short Breaks – outside school holidays we can also offer 3 night short breaks, either weekend or mid-week, for a minimum of two riders.
Here’s a sample itinerary, which can be tailored to riders’ experience.
Day 1
Pick up from either Bodmin Parkway train station or Newquay airport if required.
Arrival at Hallagenna in the heart of Bodmin Moor. Settle into your modern, comfortable converted stable accommodation with a traditional Cornish Cream Tea (scones, jam and lots of clotted cream.) Welcome from your hosts Paul and Jen, tour of the yard and time to meet the horses and talk through the programme for the week.
Dinner at a local pub – the famous Jamaica Inn high on the moor and reputedly haunted by highwaymen. Made famous by Daphne Du Maurier and her book of the same name, the Pub is now a cosy retreat high on the Moor.
Day 2
Breakfast will be prepared in your cottage, which also has a fully equipped kitchen.
One hour riding assessment in our outside arena to pair you with the most suitable horse for your stay. Mid-morning ride out onto the Moor . Return to Hallagenna for Lunch before setting off on an afternoon ride to Alex Tor through parts of Bodmin Moor. A truly magical place – home to ancient Neolithic settlements, hut circles, burial chambers and more recently, the domain of smugglers and pirates. Now it is a quiet haven, home to plentiful wildlife, breathtaking scenery and a wildness that is difficult to find elsewhere. Find a rest spot for a picnic lunch before returning via a circular route to Hallagenna, crossing rocky outcrops or “tors” (approx 2-3 hours riding.)
Dinner will be at a local pub – The St Tudy Inn, St Tudy a typical moorland pub with roaring log fires, slate floors and wonderful food.
Day 3
After breakfast, we will start out on The Trippet Stones, Blisland and Jubilee Rock Trail
This scenic, challenging trail takes you towards Delford Bridge for a splash through the De Lank River, before heading across Kernow Downs and out onto the vast Manor Common. From there you will see two of the many Tors or rocky outcrops on the Moor – Carbilly Tor (from the Cornish “carn ebilly” meaning “Colt’s Tor”) and Hawks Tor. We’ll also visit the Trippet Stones, a Bronze Age standing stone circle said to be maidens turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath. then cross Manor Common up to wallhouse, a short trek through the lanes of Waterloo and arrive at the village of Blisland, where we hitch up the horses on the village green outside The Blisland Inn and enjoy a lunch stop. After enjoying some welcome refreshment we then mount up and head to Pendrift Downs to visit The Jubilee Rock. This huge granite rock was carved in 1809 – 10 by Lieutenant John Rogers and his men to commemorate King George III’s jubilee. It features Britannia and various Coats of Arms and is updated with new carvings on special occasions. More recently Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee.
After visiting some of the most interesting corners of the Moor we finally head home to Hallagenna. ( approx 4 – 5 hours riding)
Dinner tonight at another local pub – The St Breward Inn, fantastic locally sourced food.
Day 4
Breakfast will be prepared , before saddling up for a morning ride, taking in some different scenery. We will ride along the wooded valleys of the Camel trail to Hellandbridge, returning through Helligan woods alongside the River Camel. Here we’ll choose a picnic stop before heading back up to the Moor and then return to Hallagenna mid-afternoon.
A three course evening meal will be prepared in your cottage.
Day 5
After breakfast, we’ll head out on The Rocky Tor Trail
This Trail Ride takes you out across the Moor to Alex Tor, from where you can take in the breathtaking moorland views reaching as far as the North Cornwall Coast. We then ride on to Rough Tor, which at 1,313 feet, is the second highest point in Cornwall. At the summit is a “logan” rock, a huge piece of granite which will rock gently if you stand on the right spot! From Rough Tour and its many Bronze Age hut circles, We ride along the foot of the highest point in Cornwall at 1375 feet – Brown Willy or Bronn Wennyly in Cornish, meaning “Swallow’s Hill. Through woodland to Davidstow Moor and crowdy reseviour .
Onto Davidstow Airfield which once played an important role during the Second World War and was home to American and Canadian troops. A stop at Roughtor farm for a traditional Cornish cream tea” Ride through a byway passing bronze age built stone walling traditionally kown as Cornish stone hedging. Through a narrow wiendy lane back up to Newton Common, We ride past further stone circles and ancient signs of settlements before coming to Casehill Downs and King Arthur’s Hall. This is one of the most fascinating sites on the Moor, thought to be an ancient Neolithic or early Bronze Age ceremonial site. It consists of roughly fifty-six stones arranged in a rectangle with a bank of earth around them. We then head home to Hallagenna. (5 – 6 hours riding.)
An evening meal can be enjoyed at the nearby St Mabyn Inn.
Day 6
Breakfast and then off onto another hidden corner of the Moor. Over Casehill to Ivy downs to Hawks Tor. Through the Race to Manor moor through Carbaglet before choose a picnic spot. Return to Hallagenna mid-afternoon.
Evening meal in the cottage.
Day 7
After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to your horse and your hosts before transfers and departure.
For bespoke, catered prices please call us on 01208 851500.
Transfers from Bodmin Rd Railway station or Newquay Airport £35 each way ( Payable directly to Taxi )
Tansfers from Bristol, Gatwick or Heathrow Airports available £ Price by request. ( Payable direct to Taxi )
catered bespoke riding holidays at Hallagenna