Hickstead and Eric Lamaze at the 2008 Summer Olympics by WiNG

Olympia Christmas Show

Horse and pony owners love the shopping at this annual festive spectacular. The show is a display of military horses, showjumping, dressage and myriad other riding skills. It’s pretty expensive to get into but the expense is more than recouped by the variety of what’s on offer inside.

Hickstead Polo Grounds

Hickstead is a unique venue where you can see the best of British polo matches.  There’s even a pony rental service if you become a club member and want to join in the fun. You can rent a pony that’s matched to your ability level and playing style. The horses come with tack and there is a polo school on site if you want to brush up your skills.

The Heavy Horse Show

The Heavy Horse Show has been a British Equestrian institution for 21^st years this year. Heavy Horse breeders from all over the UK come to show off their prized shire, percheron, Suffolk punches, friesians and cobs. The animals are groomed to perfection and presented according to strict standards. There are demonstrations of working horse activities and of course, awards for the best in each breed.

Windsor

The Heavy Horse Show has been a British Equestrian institution for 21^st years this year. Heavy Horse breeders from all over the UK come to show off their prized Shire, Clydesdale, Percheron, Suffolk Punches, Friesians and Cobs. The animals are groomed to perfection and presented according to strict standards. There are demonstrations of working horse activities and of course, awards for the best in each breed.

Clubs and societies all over the UK do their utmost to keep horsemanship alive and make sure the general public continues to be interested in horses. We haven’t mentioned the inner city riding schools (even in London!), the fantastic racing grounds at http://www.kempton.co.uk/, or the ponies of the New Forest, as Britain truly is a horse-loving country and the activities mentioned here are just the tip of the iceberg.

The post 3 Equestrian Days Out in England appeared first on Best of European Union.

There really is no better way to discover a country than by taking to your feet and getting up close and personal with the countryside and locals. Although it is not uncommon to head off to sunnier climes and more exotic locations on walking holidays, there are some wonderful walking breaks to be had right here in the UK.

Highlands, Scotland, UK by Francisco Gonzalez

Walking in the UK can be as easy going or as challenging as your fitness allows. Gentle rolling hills, endless swathes of countryside, lakeland vistas and coastal treks are all on the agenda and guided walking holidays in the UK help you to make the most of all that is on offer in this green and pleasant land.

The windswept moors

If you enjoy heading off the beaten track into the unknown, then a walk through the wild and windswept moors will provide hours of pleasure. Dartmoor National Park attracts hundreds of walkers to its rugged beauty and gives a real sense of walking back into a forgotten era. With ancient stone circles, Bronze Age villages and clapper bridges to be found, it is impossible not to be in awe of this wilderness. The Moor is infamous for the ease with which visitors unfamiliar with the area can get lost, with extreme weather often settling in a matter of minutes. A guided walk allows this area to be explored in safety.

The old clapper bridge at Postbridge in Dartmoor National Park, UK by Michal Stehlík

History and culture

For those who prefer to stay closer to civilisation and experience some of the diverse British culture, then a walk through Northumberland might be in order. Your walk could take in a trip to Lindisfarne with its tranquil beauty and its Christian history, or trek Hadrian’s wall, visiting the many Roman remains along the way. This area has its fair share of castles to visit too, with the opportunity to stay locally and walk out each day, or be guided along a longer walk with different hotels to stay at along the way. When moving from hotel to hotel each night on a guided walk, your luggage will be moved for you, leaving you to just carry your daily needs.

Hadrian’s wall, Northumberland, UK by quisnovus

The Highlands

Walking in the Highlands of Scotland is an experience not to be missed. The western Highlands offer some of the best mountain walking in the whole of Britain, with an opportunity to see the lochs, ridges and glens firsthand. Not only a walkers’ paradise, this is also a photographers’ paradise, with scenery that is unrivalled anywhere else. Walks through the Highlands can be challenging, but there are easier routes suitable for the whole family. Rest days can be enjoyed between walks to allow recovery time if needed, which can be especially beneficial when walking with younger children.

AUTHOR BIO:
Adriana Frederick is a keen walker whose ambition is to walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End. In the meantime, she is satisfied with taking one of the many guided walking holidays in the UK every year and writing about her experiences for travel blogs.

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