Riding and Walking Holiday in North Cornwall
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, breath-taking scenery and a wildness that is difficult to find elsewhere. Find a rest 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 briefing for the days walk. taking in some different scenery. We will take a transfer to the North Cornwall Coast setting out to Boscastle along the coastal path on to Tintagel – home to the fabled Castle of King Arthur. It’s a quaint Cornish village full of tea shops, antique shops and a fascinating Centre of Arthurian legend. The Castle itself is a strong walk downhill, before climbing up onto the promontory which is home to the 6th century ruins. There are also a couple of pubs to choose from for lunch.
We will then continue along the coastal path on to The Port William pub at Trebarwith Strand, just along the coast. This pub still has a smugglers tunnel leading to the beach below and boasts one of the best sea views in the county. Return to Hallagenna in the evening after dinner. Walk approx. 4-5 hours.
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 known 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 will be prepared before the morning briefing. Taking in some different scenery. We will walk along the wooded valleys of the Camel trail to Hellandbridge. With the aim of walking the 17 miles to Padstow on the North Cornwall coast. With a break for lunch at the quaint town of Wadebridge and a visit to the famous Camel valley Vineyard along the way the route can be shortened for the groups requirements with the possibility of returning through Helligan woods alongside the river Camel.
Return late evening to Hallagenna after dinner at the Rock Inn or the Old Inn. Approx. 4 – 7 hours walking
Day 7
After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to your horse and your hosts before transfers and departure.
Tariff
The prices below include all riding and guided walks as mentioned, accommodation in our converted stables, breakfast, lunch and cream tea as specified plus transfers on day excursions and to locations for evening meals. Single Supplement £150.
March – May £ 850 per person
June – August £ 995 per person
Sept – Nov £850 per person
Dec – Feb £ 750 per person
Transfers from Bodmin Rd Railway station or Newquay Airport Approx. £35 each way (Payable directly to Taxi)
Transfers from Bristol, Gatwick or Heathrow Airports available £ Price by request. (Payable direct to Taxi)
Please note that routes and distances may be adjusted throughout the week, according the weather conditions and guests fitness and ability.
For guests who do not want to ride during their holiday we would be delighted to offer a full week of guided walking as an alternative.
Alternatively we would be delighted to offer non riding and walking packages – please call us on 01208 851500 to discuss your requirements.