Discover Cornwall

Late afternoon pickup from Bodmin Parkway train station. Upon arrival at the farm 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). You are welcomed by Jenni Cootes, who is the daughter of the owner, runs the equestrian center and will be your guide for the week.  Afterwards take a tour of the yard and time to meet the horses and talk through the program for the week.
Dinner at a local pub – the St Breward Inn (the highest Inn in Cornwall) – a cozy retreat. As a group you are free to walk or a transfer will be provided. All dinners are an out of pocket expense.

A full English breakfast (bacon, sausages, eggs, toast, tea and coffee; cereals will also be available as an alternative) will be prepared in your cottage, which also has a fully equipped kitchen for preparing yourself drinks and uncooked snacks.  Riding assessment in the outside arena to pair you with the most suitable horse for your stay followed by a 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 settlements, hut circles, burial chambers and more recently, the domain of smugglers and pirates. Now it is a quiet haven, home to plentiful wildlife, breathtaking scenery and a wildness that is difficult to find elsewhere.  (2-3 hours riding). Transfer to dinner at St Kew Inn.

Breakfast will be prepared in the cottage. Afterwards saddle up for a full day ride, beginning with some different mooreland scenery and quiet country lanes. Then ride along the wooded valleys of the Camel Trail to Hellandbridge, returning through Helligan Woods alongside the river Camel up to the village of Blisland where you hitch the horses on the village green outside Blisland Inn and enjoy a well deserved lunch. After the welcome refreshment mount up and head to Pendrift Downs to visit Jubilie Rock. This granite rock was carved in 1809-1810 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. Head back to the farm. 4-5 hours riding. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee ands relax for an hour before heading to St Trudy’s Inn for your evening meal, a delightful traditional local pub with locally supplied produce and real ales to wet your appetite.

After breakfast set off on the Poldark Trail. You will be able to view areas, farms and settlements where the recent and classic TV series Poldark was filmed. Return to Hallagenna midday. Enjoy Cornish pastries at the farm before taking a local taxi (cost included) out to nearby 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 short walk over the new bridge to the promotory which is home to the 6th century ruins. Continue your walk on to The Port William Pub at Trebarwith Strand, just along the coast path (approximately 2 miles). This pub has a smugglers tunnel leading to the beach below and boasts onw of the best sea views in the county. (You can arrange a taxi from Tintagel if preferred). You will be collected from the pub to return to the farm at 8PM.

After breakfast, you will head out on The Rocky Tor Trail. This trail ride takes you out across the moor to King Athur’s hall. It 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 from where you can take in the breath taking moorland views reaching as far as the North Cornwall Coast. 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 Tor and its many Bronze Age hut circles, ride along the foot of the highest point in Cornwall at 1,375 feet – Brown Willy or Bronn Wennili in Cornish, meaning Swallow’s Hill. Ride past woodlands to Davidstow Moor and Crowdy reservoir, one of north Cornwall’s main water supply reservoirs and home to a wildlife reserve.
Onto Roughtor Farm for a late lunch including sandwiches and traditional Cornish cream tea with spectacular views across the Moor. Back in the saddle ride past further stone circles and ancient signs of settlements before coming to Casehill Downs and Alex Tor.  5-6 hours riding.  Enjoy your evening meal at nearby St Mabyn Inn.

After breakfast take in different scenery as you ride along the trail that takes you towards Delford Bridge for a splash through the De Lank River, before heading across Kernow Downs and out on the vast Manor Common. From there you will see two of the many Tors or rocky outcrops on the moor – Carbilly Tor and Hawks Tor. You will also visit the Trippet Stones, a bronze age standing stone circle said to be maidens turned into stones for dancing on the sabbath. Cross Manor Common up to wallhouse, a short trek through the lanes of Waterloo and then return at midday. 3 hours riding.

Change out of your riding gear to head off to one of the most famous and picturesque villages in Cornwall – Padstow. It’s a vibrant fishing port still and home to some of the most famous chefs in the UK – Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth. There are plenty of interesting shops, boutiques and tea rooms to browse. There are also a number of pubs, cafes and eateries to choose from for lunch (an out of pocket expense) – or do as the locals do and enjoy a traditional pasty sitting on the quayside. From Padstow continue by ferry (short 5 minute crossing) across the Camel estuary to the village of Rock for a farewell dinner at the Rock Inn at approximately 6PM where you can sit on the outside terrace overlooking the estuary and enjoy some locally sourced produce. Return late evening to Hallagenna.

After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to your horse and your hosts before transfers and departure.