Welcome to Our Website

A Little About Us

We are an Award-Winning specialist Heavy Horse Riding Centre based in the south west Lake District National Park.

We ride on the largest breeds of horses in the UK, from the critically Endangered Suffolk Punch to the Scottish Clydesdale and the English Shire horse.

Combine our passion for the horses with a passion for teaching and riding outside, and ywe’ve created an energy, a vibe, to enable us to offer experiences here on a whole new level. Ride with us in the beauty of the National Park – we hope you’ll love what we offer you!

We introduce riders of a wide variety of abilities/experiences to the sheer delight of riding a heavy horse breed in such breathtakingly beautiful surroundings!

F.A.Q

We started life as West Highland Heavy Horses up on the Isle of Skye in 1997, relocated in 2006, became Cumbrian Heavy Horses and remain the only BHS Approved Ridden Heavy Horse Riding Centre in the world. We’re passionate about these beautiful horses.

WHICH BREEDS OF HORSES DO YOU USE?

Our horses are all pure heavy horses, draft horses, the Suffolk Punch, the Shire, the Clydesdale, with two Belgium drafts, Brabants, joining the ridden team next year as they progress their training.

We are a British Horse Society Approved Centre and hold a highly acclaimed 5* Riding School Licence, with strict criteria for both. Over the years we have won several industry/tourism awards, most recent being the ‘Riding School of the Year’ Award in 2023/4 and one of our senior Ride Leaders, the wonderful Peter, has just won a Cumbria Tourism Award for ‘Unsung Hero’ – because he’s awesome as, tbh, are all the team here!

WHERE ARE WE?

We are fortunate to be based in the south west Lakes, on a rural fell farm with access to the sweeping beaches of the West Coast, the hills and fells surrounding us, and easy access to the Lake District pathways of Eskdale, Wasdale, Dunnerdale and the Duddon Valley.

Want to paddle in the sea? Gallop on the sand? Ride into the hills?
Watch Red Kites and Buzzards soar?
WE offer all of that, and much, much more!

TO FIND US

Please use Google Maps, put in Cumbrian Heavy horses, it will bring you straight here!

WHAT DO WE DO?

Once the website is properly functional we will tell you all about our behind the scenes activities, our CIC, Sponsorships, Breeding Programme, Social Media presence, merchandise, cool days, weekends, packages, the Changing Lives through Horses Scheme run by the BHS, Courses, First Aid Outdoors, specialist Heavy Horse days, and much more!

2026 is a biggie for us, 20 years since we rode from Skye in Scotland! Jonny, I and the team are planning some really different weekends and longer rides. Watch this space and our Social media for details!

For now…this information is our basic riding information. We are quietly working behind the scenes to get this fully functional asap!

OUR BREEDING PROGRAMME

Did you know we have a vibrant Breeding Programme, which your riding supports, with Clydesdale and Suffolk Punch Mares and youngstock to be seen as you ride around Baystone Bank Farm.

In 2024, we bred three gorgeous Suffolk Punch foals, two fillies and a gelding, and a Cydesdale filly!

In 2025 we were fortunate to have one Suffolk Punch colt, and one stunning Suffolk Punch filly foal!

We’re delighted to have bred eight Suffolk Punch foals up until now in the hope that our breeding increases the genetic diversity within the breed, which as a critically endangered breed is very necessary. We have also bred seven Clydesdales over the years, plus one Shire, Conker, who works within the business!

Exciting new! In 2026, if all goes well, we will have another four foals on the ground, three Suffolk Punches and one Clydesdale. FINGERS CROSSED!

ONSITE ACCOMMODATION

The farm (Baystone Bank Farm, our base) has a small family feel campsite. www.baystonebankfarmcampsite.co.uk

It’s set in our stunningly rural farm location with sheep, horses and our Belted Galloway cattle, with a small cafe, and of course, HORSES!

We are in a good location within the Lake District National Park, with easy access to the southern fells, you’re only 25 mins from Coniston, and 40 minutes from Kendal and then up to Keswick and the Northern and Central Lakes. We have immediate access to the Western Fells too, where you can head into Buttermere.

It’s a quiet site with good facilities, set up for a variety of needs! From semi wild campers, family camping with electric pitches, then hard standings for motorhomes and caravans with Glamping options. We welcome cyclists and motorbikers (the owner, Annie, will no doubt insist on chatting to you to re live her former glory days!) plus ‘The Roundhouse’ on Airbnb, and gorgeous Lodges with Hot Tubs available – do have a look, and if you wish to combine your riding experience with a stay here, please book the accommodation online
www.baystonebankfarmcampsite.co.uk

VOUCHERS

These are available for our fantastic Riding Experiences; Farm, Fell and Beaches, Hands On Experiences, Meet the Horses Days, and for those contributing to a friends present, cash options as well as the Wild Weekends!
Call us to arrange, we email them through to you.
Our usual experience levels and weight limits apply, and be prepared, we quiz purchasers as we have to know we are selling the right Riding Experience for the recipients’ height, weight, age, confidence and experience level.

NB VOUCHERS and expiry dates: sorry we cannot accept any vouchers past their expiry date.

BOOKING YOUR HEAVY HORSE EXPERIENCE

Please have a thorough read through the information, have an idea which of our Experiences might work for you/your group

Then:

CALL OUR DEDICATED BOOKING TELEPHONE LINE its is the ONLY way we book at the moment 07769 588565

Monday to Friday 10-1 over winter, longer in spring/ summer/autumn plus evenings and weekends when possible.

Why do we only book over the telephone? Because you are not riding a little stocky trek type pony you are going to be riding 16 – 18.2hh of pure muscle, big horses, strong horses. They do not just follow in a line, they are fabulous for teaching you, as they are responsive. Some are older, gentle, kinder with a calmer temperament and are fabulous with beginners and novices, whilst others are going to be brilliant fun for experienced riders.
If we cannot pick up when you call please leave a clear message with your name, phone number and a brief description of which of our Heavy Horse Experiences you would love and we will return messages/calls received asap.
Please be patient and speak clearly.
NB duplicating your call with emails/messages will not speed things up, rather it simply absorbs more of our time

EXPERIENCE LEVEL

**Please be honest when we ask about experience level and weight, for your own safety.**

These are big horses and although by reputation are gentle and forgiving many of ours are lively and fun! We try and match you to the right horse/Riding Experience for your individual competence, fitness and confidence at the time you join us – we ask questions when you book for good reason.

Be ready to tell us about you/your friends/voucher recipients’ riding experience, height, weight (yes we do have a weight limit see the reasons and guidelines below) age, recent and past experience, and confidence (we know that past experiences can affect you) all of which enable us to get this right for you, personally. The answers you give determine which of our experiences will be appropriate for you. These are big horses.
They have big paces.
They are responsive forward going, happy horses.
BE HONEST AND REALISTIC when you call, please xx

We also reserve the right to remove riders from a ride if the ride is more advanced than they stated themselves to be – eg on a fast paced beach riding experience – this is for your safety, and to enable others who are experienced to enjoy the ride. We accept nerves, we accept innocent overstating, so please, we are not scary, we just want to help every rider who joins us to safely ride here!
We do not recompense, no refunds, for either scenario. Just be realistic, be honest with yourself, and us, and this will never happen!
This statement is not intended to be off putting, simply to help you, help us, get this right for YOU!! We want you to love your time with us and wish to return.

OUR WEIGHT POLICY

We have a strict weight limit which applies fully dressed ready to ride.

This varies according to a range of factors, including each individual’s height, weight, experience level both now and previously, what sort of horses they ride, is their experience in/ out of an arena, their age, overall fitness and confidence – yes, confidence can make a huge fifference!

Yes the horses are large, but the hills here are steep. We do not want to risk injury to either our beautiful horses or our riders, so expect to be asked. We expect you to be honest, however, sadly some folk are not.
We reserve the right to weigh days where we weigh every rider privately in a calm, kind and non judgemental manner: it’s easy to be unaware of weight gain. This is not intended to belittle or ‘fat shame’ far from it, it is, however, for our horses welfare. If you are over our limits I am sorry but your experience will therefore be curtailed. Given the terrain here, this is also to protect our riders, as sadly we see heavier folk fall off more regularly, maybe because these riders can be top heavy and unbalanced, if they slip to one side we notice a higher tendency once slipping to depart the saddle. This is not said to cause offence, simply to explain, our limits are for rider safety, too. Falling off is no fun from an 18hh horse so please understand our multiple reasons for being firm re weight limits.

As a guide, FULLY DRESSED ready to ride:

If you are 6′ plus our absolute maximum is 16 stones, that’s 101kg. Thats for a fit healthy human! For the Wild Weekend this is 15 stones that’s 95kg.

At 5’9″ 14st 7lbs that’s 90kg

At 5’6″ 13st 7lbs that’s 85kg
At 5’3 it is 13st that’s 82kg

At 5′ our maximum weight is 12st, that’s 75kg

Please try and understand…. we do not mean to cause any offence, we love our horses AND are directly protecting you, too although many won’t understand it.

For the Wild Weekends, as you will be spending longer in the saddle, we have a lower limit, we need you guys to be fit regular riders.

No offence meant, hopefully none taken

PACES ON RIDING EXPERIENCES

Our GROUND RULE for any canter work: we need to see an independent, balanced seat with independent hands at rising trot in full control of the horse (balanced rider, collection, direction, momentum) prior to permitting any canter work.
Our GROUND RULE for gallop as above plus we need to see a balanced comfortable confident rider taking light seat at canter.

GROUPS / RIDE NUMBERS

Generally we have strict limits on rider numbers on our Riding Experiences so your Riding Instructor can focus on everyone, giving hints and tips to help you enjoy the ride and learn as you go, up to four on the One Hour Farm Riding Experience, up to six on the Two Hour Farm Riding Experience, five on the Fell Riding Experience, and the beach can become up to seven riders as you are all experienced riders, and it is a lovely open space.

If you book as a Group e.g. Friends/Family/University Riding Club/ Hen party etc we can manage the larger sized group ride very well and very carefully, we enjoy taking groups of friends out – we have a complete hoot!
Groups are subject to specific booking rules simply because we have been let down again this year. Am very sorry. Groups are decreed to be of more than two people.
We need payment in full at time of booking. No deposits, and it’s nonrefundable, altho could be transferred to a rider who, following telephone assessment, is of a similar ability. This also commits your group members to coming!
We STRONGLY advise Travel Insurance in case of emergency cancellations!

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

We can provide all equipment required, there is no additional charge for these items.

You need a hat which fits you correctly to current safety criteria, and a boot with a distinct heel. If you bring your own hat, we will check!

The time spent fitting equipment is included in your ride time.

Please wear clothing appropriate for the weather conditions and sporting nature of the activity, long trousers, warm, rain gear etc.

High Vis is not strictly necessary on the farm or Beach but we do take placards if you wish to wear one. If there is ANY roadwork on your Riding Experience you MUST wear safety high visibility clothing.

Body protectors are welcomed.

Air jackets are, too!

Our policy for Go Pro’s is…it’s up to you. Just be aware of the implications regarding either hat balance if you are wearing it on your hat, or chest injury if you are wearing it on your bady, should you disembark unexpectedly!

OUR SHORT BREAKS/PRIVATE SPECIAL OCCASION

Short Breaks are made up of a selection of these rides to suit your fitness and experience level, and your personal goals. We also offer niche, individually tailored experiences for:

Will You Marry Me requests….complete with champagne, flowers if required!

Honeymoon Riding Experiences (and yes, I agree, that does read wrong..!!)

Family groups

We have had scattering of ashes

Hen and stag parties

Call us to chat through your options!

These are tailored Experiences and as such will have a higher price, to be discussed dependant upon individual requirements

PAYMENT

We ask for payment at time of booking as we’re a small business with limited time, and cannot afford another office person! Help us make it easier!

We have various methods of payment:

Via debit card, (ideally not credit cards)

Via Bank Transfer

By cheque; please make payable to “CUMBRIAN HEAVY HORSES”

We also have a PayPal account but lose quite a high % so only use it if necessary!

CANCELLATION/RESCHEDULING OF RIDING EXPERIENCES

ALL cancellations at any time incur a 40% fee. This is a booking fee. Cancellations less than a month up to two weeks in advance for Farm/Fell/Beach Riding Experiences incur a 50% fee, your booking fee and a 10% charge.
Cancellations within two weeks of the ride are lost, sorry. I staff according to rides booked; these are firm overheads. If you have Travel Insurance you can claim; we are a small business and if we cannot replace you, we will directly lose money. We have big mouths to feed, and foals to look after! Please realise we are not being difficult, hard-nosed or mean we are only a small business caring for live animals. Please understand, if we could be more lenient we would.
All rescheduling incurs a 20% fee. Rescheduling within two weeks is treated as a cancellation. Up to a month there is a 30% fee
Group Bookings have to be paid in full at time of booking. Sorry but we have had poor Experiences this year. We cannot afford to turn other riders away when group peeps ‘change their minds’ last minute.
If weather conditions are horrendous ie nationwide floods, snowed in, impassable roads, then we hold monies and will rearrange with no fee. We do not refund under any circumstances.
WE STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TAKE OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE in case of emergency.

OUR RIDING EXPERIENCE INFORMATION

READ DOWN for all ride information!
Are you sitting comfortably..... ?!

Farm Riding Experiences for One or Two Hours

Where do we ride?
Over our own, private farmland, the fields and low fell area here at Baystone Bank Farm. With superb views of the Duddon Estuary, the Whicham Valley, across to the Coniston Mountains, and Black and White Combe, there are so many photographic opportunities; we enjoy taking pics for you!
These are managed in small groups.
Size of group?
One Hour Farm Riding Experience: Max 4 people
Two Hour Farm Riding Experience: Max 6 people *

*exceptions made for groups
Suitable for?
All levels of experience and abilities according to individual preference. Riding Experiences are carefully managed as either novice level, mixed experiences (ie he rides she doesnt) intermediate or experienced only riders
Rides include: free equipment and all our excellent tuition, our important safety briefing; our expertise and time taken in mounting/ dismounting – all included as part of the Experience

One Hour Farm Riding Experience:
This is only suitable for beginners and novice riders, mainly introduced for older clients or children. This is a very steady experience, perfect if you are nervous, young or have medical issues. No fast paces on this Experience it really is a gentle walk.
£80pp

Two Hour Farm Riding Experience:

Ideal for most folk from beginners to very experienced riders. PLEASE NOTE that this is carefully managed in small groups according to experience levels, and ability. If you’re good riders you won’t be riding with novices (unless you came with one!)
After assessment by our skilled Ride Leaders – and if they feel it safe for you- you can be offered faster paces on this, up to gallop – providing we see that high level of competence. NOTE! Ground conditions can vary at any time of the year so paces offered might vary if eg wet/slippery, as your safety matters. We have a duty to look after you so please understand we’ll always do our best for you!
£110pp

Fell Riding Experiences:
Max 5 people.
These are either
1) the Duddon Valley Route or
2) our pretty Fell Farm and adjacent local Fells (access in summer only)How many hours is this experience?
Depending on the weather and ground conditions on the day/rider’s ability/fitness, and including the safety briefing and mounting up, around 3 hours.

1) The Duddon Valley Route, which can be offered all year round, is suitable for less confident riders or those learning to ride yet wanting a longer experience; you MUST have a solid rising trot in full control of the horse for full control on the short pieces of roadwork (ie not for beginners).
This lovely riding experience takes you from the farm over the small back roads and tracks towards the Duddon Estuary, returning to the farm to finish with opportunities for all paces! With fabulous views across the salt marshes of the Duddon Estuary towards the west and south, as well as the views from the farm, it’s a very picturesque route, and is of equal quality. (*this riding experience does have some carefully managed roadwork*)

2) Fell Riding Experiences (May-October)
These run from the farm initially on our fields, with tracks giving private access into wild areas of fell land, beautiful riding on lovely horses. Suitable for intermediate to very experienced riders only as the terrain is more challenging in places, and all paces will be offered. We will ask a lot of questions about ability, height and weight, and confidence when you call us to book. This ride can suit those slightly less experienced wishing to learn more about how horses react to outside influences, i.e. riding outside. We are happy to discuss this! Paces offered will take into account ground conditions, as soggy, soft ground or rocky hills are not safe to gallop on, we always do our best for you! Call to arrange on 07769588565
£180pp

Beach Riding Experience
This Riding Experience is offered in two formats:
1 Experienced Rider Beach Ride…all paces
2 Private Beach…for less experienced folk

This stunning experience is along the sweeping coastline of the Western Lake District, which is quite simply miles of fabulous sand. It is tide dependent so we will check this when booking.
High winds can affect tides/sand availability and quality, this is out of our control and will be monitored and discussed in the briefing.
Our Experienced Ride is suitable for confident, fit, experienced, regular riders only, capable of riding a forward going horse at all paces in open spaces in full control of their horse.
You should be able to canter taking light seat as an absolute minimum for this experience.
We can cater for groups or individuals on a private basis also, see below.
Lower age limits apply – children/ young adults 10-14 will need to be assessed on a farm ride prior to being accepted on a beach ride regardless of experience as these are big horses, please call to discuss!
This Experience includes a full Safety Briefing, travelling to the beach (own vehicle or with us) with the horses and mounting up plus an amazing ride! The entire experience is between 3- 4 hours in total and is the jewel in our crown for more experienced riders.
NOTE! Weather/beach conditions are given consideration re speed/paces particularly in very windy/wintery conditions. Strong winds affect tides, affect the beach surface, we will always do our best for you, but cannot promise perfection!
If you are booking this as a gift or for a friend/a group of people, please be aware that we take our riders’ safety very seriously; we will quiz you re all riders’ confidence and competence! The beach is an open and exposed place, we DO need every rider to be as good as we suggest, and therefore reserve the right, for our rider’s safety, to remove any rider from this ride if they are obviously unsuitable. Our horses are not uncontrollable or dangerous, but they are alive, large, and happy, and love their beach rides!
Price £250pp

Private Beach Riding Experience
FOR THOSE WANTING AN INDIVIDUAL, EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE (maybe novices, older riders or less experienced/confident riders) or as a “Bucket List” type experience, or with groups of friends…
If you wish to have an exclusive experience (in the week, not at weekends at busy holiday times) we offer small, private Beach Riding Experiences for inexperienced or nervous riders, which will be carefully managed; please call us to arrange any private riding on our beautiful horses. These riding experiences are staffed highly to allow for your tuition and safety. Including the safety brief, mounting, travelling to the beach etc

These are for approximately 2½ hours
Price:
One rider £400
Two riders £375pp
Three riders £350pp
Four riders onwards £325pp

Call to arrange on 07769588565

“Hands On” Heavy Horse Experience Day
This is your opportunity to join us for a full day in the yard around the farm here with the team and our gorgeous horses!
This is your day…what do you want to do?!

You will have a full day’s supervision and instruction, your riding and various groundwork opportunities with 1:1 staff supervision.

We will discuss experience levels and requirements at time of booking as we tailor this day to suit your expectations!
This experience is suitable for all levels of ability as it’s a tailored niche day to suit your requirements, so it can, for instance, include two Instructional Hacks out on the farm, or a Fell Riding Experience, it can include feeding, management, good practices, leading from the ground – all sorts of ideas!

Photography? obviously a yes, as it is led by our customers!

If the Beach Riding Experience is to be included as part of your Hands On Experience Day there’s a £50 surcharge pp as this is a more expensive experience.
£350pp
This experience makes a great gift, as a Voucher as we can finalise information regarding experience levels, expectations, riding ability, at time of booking!

As for all our booking atm, please call to arrange on 07769588565

NON RIDING EXPERIENCE

Come and meet our Horses Experience

Dingle is hugely popular, he’s been with us his entire ridden life, but he’s most definitely not the only awesome horse we have here! Come and meet everyone, we have a yard full of equine characters, young and old. We realise that for many folk, riding is not possible but some of you would love to spend time with us behind the scenes.
If you want to join us for cuddles, grooming, love, learning about the various breeds and their care, come and join us to meet our horses
Some of our horses are familiar faces, Dingle, Sol our black Shire, Duke the RSPCA rescue, elder Clydesdale Little Prince, Nemo, Hector, Drummer and now Evie our Suffolks, Guiness the Shire, our wonderful Shire mares Emma, Dolly and Conker, Comtois x Brabant Groovy Kroovy, the lads Clydesdales Charlie, Darcy, George and Shire Linton, our brood mares and other youngsters onsite.

We also have this years auction rescues Big Al and Marty starting to consider a ridden career, there are many gorgeous horses for you to meet!!
Q: will it involve riding or sitting on a heavy horse?
That’s a decision which we will discuss individually.
Q: Can I walk a Heavy Horse out?
We can teach you that.
We can also cover putting a headcollar on, grooming, tacking up, sitting on a heavy horse with photos, (riding limits as usual), leading horses, basic Heavy Horse care (mucking out? always..!).
We will discuss horse behaviour, how they interact and why our body language around them has to be so attuned.
Number on the course: it can be individually run, or up to group size, please call us to discuss this! It can be a morning or an afternoon, approx 2½ hours in length.
Cost £250pp
Dates: please call to express an interest. We run these during the week, not in the summer holidays.
We’re here to educate and facilitate getting close to and meeting our horses, tell us what you want to do!!
Call to arrange on 07769588565

WILD WEEKEND INFORMATION

DATES FOR 2026 coming SOON!
Our Wild Weekends are a wonderful mixture of Fell Riding and Beach Riding on pure bred Heavy Horses for an awesome weekend with the best the Lake District National Park can offer us! These are for fit, regular riders only, you do need to be a fit, regular, confident, competent rider for the gradients, complex terrain and faster paces on the beach day.
In 2025 we offered:
1) Wild Weekend #2 – two days, a Saturday and Sunday, to make the most of your Short Break!
2) Wild Weekend #3 – three days with an important additional day to spend time learning about the horses, getting some Hands On time, and a longer ride locally to us and on the farm, too, all paces!).
We do not supply accommodation on these weekends, so you can take advantage of the huge variety of accommodation options in the Lakes. Bring a packed lunch on all days!EXAMPLE ITINERARY:
Arrive at the yard at 09.30 on the first day, thereafter we’ll tell you, (put ‘Cumbrian Heavy Horses’ into Google maps to find us).
BYO lunch, we supply large saddlebags. Bring warm clothing! Fill in paperwork, pre ride briefing, off we go….
Fell days are steady although can be quite an adventure, we love exploring! These fell days are all about the views and beauty of the Lake District National Park scenery. The terrain is a mixture of road work, uneven ground, small fell tracks and steep gradients. The route can change according to weather conditions, we have a few different options!! You will be with us for around 7 hours, riding for between 5 – 6 hours.
On the Beach Riding Day the start time might vary due to tides. We will enjoy the sweeping expanses of the west coast, miles of beach, rockpools, dunes, it is a glorious day. If the weather is….inclement, let’s say, you will need good waterproofs; it’s still a fantastic day. If it’s very sunny and hot then sunscreen and water! We stop for lunch to refuel both horse and rider before heading out alongside the sandy Estuary before some faster paces as we head for home! You will be with us for around 7 hours, riding for approx 5 hours.

PRICES in 2025 (for your time here with us, not including accommodation) :

2025 Wild Weekend Dates are now all passed, we are loading the 2026 dates shortly:

2025 prices were below, this might have a slight increase in 2026.

Wild Weekend #2 £625pp

Wild Weekend #3 £895pp

Only applicable for the Wild Weekends:

We require a 50% booking fee, a non refundable non transferable payment on booking, hopefully this might then help stagger payments if required. Payment in full must be 2 months prior to your Short Break with us please!

NOTE: TAKE OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE!!

If anyone has a group (from three to seven persons) wishing to arrange a Wild Weekend midweek it might be possible please call us to arrange!
We look forward to meeting you all!!
To book call us on 07769588565
NB This ride does not include guaranteed sunshine, accommodation or food but does include any items of riding kit you might require, saddlebags etc, and a lot of laughter and friendship!

Specialist Experiences: As a small business we specialise in YOU as a person joining US to have the best experience we can offer, so do not hesitate to call and ask if your request does not seem to fit the above descriptions. Happy to Help!