FAQ’s

GROUP SIZES:

The ideal group is 6 but we can accommodate up to 4 to 8 people. We welcome solo travellers that we would put into a mixed group of 6-8.

ACCOMMODATION:

Our traditional farm-workers cottage sleeps 3 people, or 5 if sharing a bed. You also have the option to hire out the whole cottage for private use. If we have more people than we can accommodate guests will stay in a carefully chosen house less than a mile away from VGF.

Our farmhouse sleeps 6 single people or up to 8 sharing. The farmhouse can be booked out for sole use to a group of friends or family. The farmhouse can be staffed for your stay with a chef and housekeeper.

ART EXPERIENCE:

We welcome all levels, beginner to professional for guided art classes. At the moment we offer botanical painting or life drawing. This will continue to evolve so please check in if you’re after something different, or have a specific desire! We are working towards finding a teacher for drawing and painting horses as we have a resident Frisian horse who would be stunning painted from life!

RELAXATION:

We have a swimming pool which you are free to use whenever you wish. And we have the option for massages, which must be pre-booked before arrival.

CHILDREN:

If you book the riding retreat for your own party - minimum 6 people - children are welcome but they must bring their own ponies/horses.

RIDING EXPERIENCE:

You must wear your own riding hat to the following UK/ European safety standard: PAS 015 (1998 or 2011) and VG1, with BSI Kitemark.

You must wear riding boots (footwear specifically designed for riding). Breeches/jodhpurs are recommended, and we advise you to wear a body protector and/or air vest.

We recommend that your kit is well broken in and tested before your retreat, there is nothing more uncomfortable than riding in a pair of stiff boots… This also goes for your tack, if you bring a horse. Please note we cannot be responsible for providing missing pieces of tack, or riding equipment. It is essential that you pack everything that you’re going to need throughout your stay.

We can accommodate intermediate to advanced riders. Riders must be fit and able to cover open countryside at speed, over unpredictable, undulating ground. The group is only as fast as its slowest rider, so it is essential to be realistic with your experience.

Your horse must be fit enough to cope with 4-5 hours per day under saddle. They must be used to being ridden in a group, sensible in open spaces/traffic and comfortable crossing rough, uneven ground.

The ride will last for 4-5 hours with a lunch break halfway through.

Your ride will be fully guided.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY HORSE?

We provide full livery (hay, straw, mucking out, and do the morning and evening feed*) for your horse but it is your responsibility to prepare them for the rides and any other handling/care. Your horse will stay in our roomy, traditional stone stables. We may be able to provide the use of single horse turnout paddocks, please enquire before arrival.*Your own hard feed must be brought with you.

If you are riding one of our horses, the horse will be fully prepared for you.

WEIGHT LIMIT:

We have a 13 stone weight limit.

INSURANCE FOR RIDERS

You need to have public liability insurance and personal cover for you and your horse. We will require proof of these documents when you book. We recommend the BHS for rider insurance. If you are riding a horse we provide you will only need personal accident cover.

FARRIER:

Please make sure your horse is recently shod. We recommend bringing a new fitted set of your horse’s shoes with you as spares. We cannot guarantee we can find a farrier at short notice… a lost shoe could ruin your retreat.