Hold your horses: B&Bs cater to guests’ horses

As punters across the UK gear up for race day at the Grand National this weekend, a select number of horse-friendly accommodation providers are putting their money where their mouths – or should we say hooves – are, by accommodating horses at their properties.

While allowing household pets to stay is becoming more popular for some independent hotels and guest houses, B&B owners are increasingly taking that one step further by inviting guests and their steeds to stay, according to eviivo.

From pampering your horse in Hertfordshire to relaxing in an on-site hot tub after a long day in the saddle in North Wales, there are a wide range of experiences on offer for those looking to horse around while on staycation. Here are our top picks:

This luxury B&B and country wedding venue is home to a thriving livery yard which offers grooming packages for your horse. Only a short train journey from London, guests can visit the capital while their horse is pampered back on the farm.

A 13^th century luxury B&B set amidst 60 acres of private grounds, offering four livery stables, the B&B is also home to Melford Green alpacas!

Glan Lyn offers stables and grazing for horses as well as secure drying and storage facilities for all your equipment and tack. After a long ride in the rolling Welsh hills, guests can relax in the on-site hot tub.

Here, you can stable your horse for £30 a night before enjoying breakfast and beautiful views of the open countryside on a hack the next morning.

Burnhopeside Hall is an elegant Georgian country house set in 475 acres of woodland, farmland and gardens, which supply produce for the B&B. They can stable your horses and kennel your dogs.

This horse-friendly accommodation was built as a dower house in 1841 and is situated on a 330 acre working farm – ideal for cantering through the surrounding countryside.

This rustic Bed and Breakfast in Hexham is a working farm close to Hadrian’s Wall with facilities for up to four horses.

This country retreat set on a 400 acre farm has a unique octagonal barn, which was once part of a model farm complex. The farm has an on-site riding school and equestrian centre, so beginners can also get involved.

This rural B&B is located on the edge of the North York Moors National Park and provides a grazing and stabling service. As well as riding, guests can explore nearby trails by bike and foot.

Pwllgwilym has its own wildlife walk around the farm, with a pond and picnic area for guests looking to stop for a bite to eat. The property is also home to Red Kites nesting in the woods and sheep grazing in the fields, and boasts two large stables in the barn.

In the heart of the Peak District, this accommodation business is in an ideal location for those looking for a walking holiday, riding holiday, or simply a leisurely break. Accommodating up to 12 horses in the stables, Rushop Hall also offers trail riding along the Pennine Bridleway.

This is a Grade II listed barn with stabling, six acres of grazing, and direct access onto riding trails on site, with lovely views of the surrounding countryside.  

Ed Goldswain, Marketing Director of online booking software specialist eviivo, commented on the trend for horse-friendly accommodation: “While going on holiday is normally an exciting time, many people find it difficult to leave behind their animal .

“But there are a wide variety of B&Bs all over the country which allow guests to stable their horses, so they can enjoy the beautiful countryside without having to leave their trusty steed at home.

“Many of our properties are set in some of the UK’s most stunning countryside, and what better way to enjoy that by trekking through the rolling hills on horseback.”