The English Rose Ride, England - Horse Riding Holidays and Safaris

The English Rose Ride, England

3 NightsStrong Intermediate to AdvancedFrom £2,800 GBP?Tour costs £2,800 GBP which is approximately $5,539 AUD

This 3-day ride brings the ancient kindgom of Wessex to life, combining thrilling pace, historical depth and dramatic scenery at every turn.

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.

Your journey begins at the historic Acorn Inn, a 16th-century establishment in the quaint village of Evershot. Here, old-world charm meets modern luxury, with cosy rooms, fabulous cuisine, a well-stocked bar and heartfelt hospitality. The Inn has strong ties to author Thomas Hardy, who gave it a nod in his best-known story, Tess of the d’Urbervilles.

From this novel base (pardon the pun), you’ll set out each day to explore landscapes where the traces of Roman roads, Neolithic earthworks, and Iron Age hill forts await discovery amidst today’s hedgerows, hilltops, patchworked fields, sweeping valleys and tranquil forests.

Although short, this itinerary packs a real punch. With 4 to 7 hours’ riding per day, the thrilling pace, extraordinary scope of scenery and solid, athletic hunters will have you seeing the whole world through rose-coloured glasses.

**If you are considering a UK or a European sojourn, have you seen some of the other UK rides we now offer? You could extend your trip to 10 days or a fortnight and sample a second or even a third ride to deepen or enhance the flavour of your trip to a full ‘Best of British Isles’ menu. We have designed the UK summer season to help you do exactly this, with one or two days between ‘complementary’ departures.

Fast Facts

  • Horse Breed:Irish Sport Horses, Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods and Cobs.
  • Pace:The pace varies from a walk right through to a canter when the terrain permits. Due to the distances covered, there is plenty of cantering. There are even chances to pop over a few jumps.
  • Type of tack:English all-purpose saddles and bridles.
  • Time in Saddle:From 4 to 7 hours per day.
  • Ride Length:4 days, 3 nights, (3 riding days).
  • Seasons:May to September.
  • Group size:A minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 guests.
  • Riding Ability:Strong intermediate to advanced. 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 speed. Not sure what your riding ability is? Watch THIS video to find out.
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • Inclusions:

    The price includes accommodation, guided riding, all meals, and some alcohol (picnic refreshments, gin and tonic pre-dinner, and wine with dinner).

  • Exclusions:

    The price does not include international flights, travel insurance (compulsory), alcoholic drinks not listed above, and transfers throughout the itinerary.

 

DEPARTURE DATES & RATES

NEW! Secure your saddle seat NOW with a 10% deposit - as part of our 10x 10% interest-free payment plan!
Departing FinishingAvailabilityTotal

May 15, 2025

*Standard twin/single room

May 18, 20257 spots left
From: £2,800 GBP ?Tour costs £2,800 GBP which is approximately $5,539 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Book

2.5% credit card surcharge

From: £2,975 GBP ?Tour costs £2,975 GBP which is approximately $5,885 AUD - Single Rider?Happy to pay a booking supplement for own room
Book

2.5% credit card surcharge

May 15, 2025

*Premium single room

May 18, 2025SOLD OUT!
From: £3,125 GBP ?Tour costs £3,125 GBP which is approximately $6,181 AUD - Single Rider?Happy to pay a booking supplement for own room

July 17, 2025

*Standard twin/single room

July 20, 20258 spots left
From: £2,800 GBP ?Tour costs £2,800 GBP which is approximately $5,539 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Book

2.5% credit card surcharge

From: £2,975 GBP ?Tour costs £2,975 GBP which is approximately $5,885 AUD - Single Rider?Happy to pay a booking supplement for own room
Book

2.5% credit card surcharge

July 17, 2025

*Premium single room

July 20, 2025Only 1 spot left!
From: £3,125 GBP ?Tour costs £3,125 GBP which is approximately $6,181 AUD - Single Rider?Happy to pay a booking supplement for own room
Book

2.5% credit card surcharge

August 17, 2025

*Standard twin/single room

August 20, 20258 spots left
From: £2,800 GBP ?Tour costs £2,800 GBP which is approximately $5,539 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Book

2.5% credit card surcharge

From: £2,975 GBP ?Tour costs £2,975 GBP which is approximately $5,885 AUD - Single Rider?Happy to pay a booking supplement for own room
Book

2.5% credit card surcharge

August 17, 2025

*Premium single room

August 20, 20252 spots left
From: £3,125 GBP ?Tour costs £3,125 GBP which is approximately $6,181 AUD - Single Rider?Happy to pay a booking supplement for own room
Book

2.5% credit card surcharge

PLEASE NOTE: There are 2x twin share rooms, 4x standard singles/doubles and 2x premium single rooms (four-poster beds), assigned on a first come, first served basis. Being a house of a certain age, all the rooms are different sizes, and again assigned on a first come, first served basis.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price includes accommodation, guided riding, all meals, and some alcohol (picnic refreshments, gin and tonic pre-dinner, and wine with dinner).

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price does not include international flights, travel insurance (compulsory), alcoholic drinks not listed above, and transfers throughout the itinerary.

Accepted payment is by credit or debit card only. Depending on the ride you choose to book and your country of residence, there will be a 1.2% to 2.9% surcharge.

Click HERE to read more about our fees and charges.
Click HERE to read our recommendations on which cards are best to use to avoid international transaction fees.
WHY IS THE PRICE QUOTED IN GBP?
With our riding destinations, the currency is dictated by our ride partner in that country. Therefore due to fluctuating exchange rates we have to quote in the same currency.

Itinerary

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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

    Hurrah, 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.

  • Day 2

    After 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.

  • Day 3

    Today 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 (pictured above), 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.

  • Day 4

    This 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.

  • 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.

    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.

  • Keen for another ride while in the UK?

    Eager to maximise your time in the saddle? We offer several UK rides with departures that align perfectly, allowing you to stack multiple rides to make the most of your time in the UK. Check them out:

    The Cotswolds Ride, England

    The Scottish Highlands Ride, Scotland

    The Scottish Borders Ride, Scotland

    The Thirlestane Castle Ride, Scotland

    Trans Wales Trail, Wales

HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RIDE OR WHICH IS MOST SUITABLE FOR YOU?

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