Where to take your horse for a ride in Worcestershire
Bridlepaths and Byways –
The best and most up-to-date information will be on the DEFINITIVE MAP
www.worcestershire.gov.uk/countryside or ask your Parish Clerk or Town Clerk.
Ordnance Survey Maps - Landranger Series.
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/
Available to purchase in many different places, also available to borrow from Public Libraries. These will show Rights of Way, but may not have all the latest information as sometimes there are alterations after printing.
Conducted Bridlepath Rides by the Worcestershire Bridleways and Riders Association. (www.wbra.co.uk)
These take place at various times, some weekends, some weekdays, and evening rides during the summer.
Please contact the Secretary 01299 851 279. New leaders always wanted!
Trot Toll Rides (off road) Trust (Registered Charity No 1020850)
These are waymarked routes for riders (and sometimes carriage drivers) on private land where there is no bridlepath. Riders pay a subscription to TROT and can ride on any toll ride with no further charge.
Each route has a volunteer Local Agent who liaises between the riders and landowners.
A day licence may be available for £5.00.
Please contact www.tollrides.org.uk for details of membership, and advice on how to set up your own routes or Email info@tollrides.org.uk for the latest Local Agent information.
Routes in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and more being researched and developed.
Pleasure Rides – organised by Pony Clubs and hunts regularly, particularly in the spring and autumn.
From 8-15 miles with well marked routes, sometimes with optional jumps.
Cost - £12-£15.00. Look in local newspapers, magazines, feed/tack shops for the details.
UK Chasers Course
http://www.ukchasers.com/
Cross Country fences and riding routes.
Lincomb, nr Stourport http://www.crosscountrycourse.co.uk/
Country Parks and Commons – a permit may be required.
Please telephone for details.
Arrow Valley Country Park (01527 64252 ext. 3022 – Redditch Borough Council)
Bredon Hill – crossed by bridlepaths. No “right to roam” for horses. …….
Clent Hills (01562 710825 – The National Trust)
Leap Gate old railway line, close to Hartlebury Common (01905 766493 – Worcestershire County Council) (and links to TROT Hartlebury Toll Ride).
Beware of uncontrolled dogs.
Kingsford Forest Park (01562 710025 – Worcestershire County Council)
Lickey Hills Country Park (0121 447 7106 – Birmingham City Council)
Malvern Hills,Old Hills, Callow End, Castlemorton Common ((01684 892002 – Malvern Hills Conservators)
Devil’s Spittleful, nr Kidderminster (Worcestershire Wildlife Trust)
Rifle Range, nr. Stourport (01562 732972 – Wyre Forest District Council)
Forestry Commission
Wyre Forest, near Bewdley.
The Permit system is currently under review. Contact the Visitor Centre for the latest information. Car park charge for horsebox/car & trailer is £2.00. (01299 266302)
Sustrans Cycle Routes
Sometimes these are multi-user routes which include horses, but not always. The BHS is working to clarify the situation and increase riding/carriage driving opportunities.
Countryside Stewardshire, now know as Higher Level Environmental Stewardship Schemes
Routes at Hampton Lovett,near Droitwich, at Broadwas, near Worcester.
Look on the DEFRA website for the latest information.
DEFRA Countryside Walks and Rides -http://cwr.defra.gov.uk/
Single Farm Payment Scheme: Cross Compliance 2m Field Edge Strips
Riding on two metre margins (Cross Compliance regulations/protection zones) under the Single Payment Scheme.
Horse riding is allowed on the 2 metre field margins that are required under the Single Payment Scheme. As long as permission is given by the farmer or it is on a public Bridleway, no damage is done and all the other relevant conditions are still met – such as the Good Agricultural and Environmental requirements laid out in the cross compliance conditions.
A Toll Ride is also permitted either on or next to a 2m field edge strip (2006 Handbook).
This is not necessarily the case with land covered by other schemes, so unless the farmer has given you permission to ride on his land, you may not automatically ride on field margins. Where riders ride on a field margin without permission this may affect the status of the farmer’s payment and the rider might, technically be liable for the farmer’s financial loss.
Can I ride on margins on fields covered by agri-environment schemes ?
NO. The margins created under these schemes are to provide environmental benefit, such as encouraging grounds nesting birds or certain species of wild flowers or insects. The riding of horses over these margins is therefore NOT allowed because of the likely disturbance/damage. These margins can be anything from 2-6 metres measured from the edge of the two metre cross compliance protection zone, and are created and managed on an entirely different basis to the margins in the Single Payment Scheme. Both types of margin can, and often will, exist in the same field.
In brief:
If a public bridleway runs along the headland of a field – ride it. Any problems report to the Public Rights of Way Department
If the margins are not public bridleways you have to have permission from the farmer/landowner before you can ride it.
Not sure if it is a bridleway check with the Public Rights of Way Office who are responsible for the Definitive Map. Or consult Ordnance Survey maps.
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