This riding school is AMAZING Ive been riding here for 7 years and I love it. All the staff are…read morefriendly and the horses and ponies are lovely xx

I have been riding here for many years and have never had any problems. The horses provide…read morechallenges and enjoyment that help you to continue learning and developing. There is something for everyone to do, for the parents on the cold winter evenings there is even a heated viewing area. Go ahead and try it for yourself. I have tried almost everything that is on offer, from having a party there where the content was tailored to the abilities of the riders, it would be something I would recommend doing. Through the Stable Management courses I learnt a lot regarding the horses and how to look after them, they now also have a pony club which compliments their stable management teachings.

A good riding school, particularly for children. a good range of horses used in the lessons. They…read moreoffer childrens parties which include a ride on a horse and party games. They offer lessons for all ages and abilities and have regular jumping competions. They also offer hacks out around the local area and to middlewood way. It now has a coffee shop where you can view the lessons from, which is handy if it rains. There are two outdoor schools which are used, which arent that big but big enough. They also do childrens stable management day courses.

Formally 'Ty coch farm', we rang them on Tuesday and managed to book 3 places for the next day!…read more(which we later found out was amazingly lucky because basically the whole of August was booked up by mid June!) We were told that the sat nav wouldnt know the way so they gave us directions - we didnt get lost, so good directions! When we pulled up we were greeted by a tiny 6 year old girl who was covered in mud, she told us where to go and who we needed to talk to. We each filled out a form with our details (at the bottom of the form theres a tick list, and you just tick all the things you want to do on your ridewalking, trotting, jumping etc.) after that a lady sorted us all out with helmets and we watched a little demo of how to get on and off while we waited for our horses to come out. My sisters horse came out first, tall and white, male, called Paddy. He's 33 years old. Next was my horse, female, called Maisy, and she's a beautiful dark brown! I dont remember what my mums horse is called, but thats because I didnt see them for more than half an hour in a half day of riding! My horse was so keen to stay right at the front and my mums horse was happy to just plod along and stop to eat any greenery any chance it got! The ride was amazing, the weather wasnt the best so we couldnt see the tops of the mountains but the views were still brilliant. The lady that joined us on the ride (oops! Ive forgotten her name too!) she was lovely too. Really friendly and chatty. She told us all about our horses, aparently they have been used as extra's in films and TV productions (most recently in some BBC programme about Queen Elizabeth). I'd highly recommend this place to anybody who fancies a horse ride. They cater for everybody! From a total novice to experienced riders they will have a suitable horse, a friendly intructor and the appropriate trails and tracks for you to follow.

The Trans Pennine trail is a series of paved walking trails throughout England that use the old…read morerailroad track routes. They are well marked with signs indicating distances and destinations, and make a very pretty place to walk outside the city. They stretch for miles and miles, as far as Leeds in one direction, York in another, and various other cities. You can find entrances to the trail in various places in Liverpool. Bikers sometimes also use these trails, as they make up part of the National Cycle Network, but you won't find cars here, and motorbikes, quads, and mopeds are also illegal to use on the trails. Only certain sections are available for horseback riding. However, a policeman acquaintance of mine informed me that even during the day some sections of the trail are not safe to walk alone, especially for women and children. Sometimes gangs and druggies hang out here, so it's probably preferable to walk with a group, or take your dog.

I have to speak about this place from an observers point of view. I took a client here regularly…read morefor quite some time in the course of my work and was continually impressed by the work and care that went into everything they did. My client had suffered a brain injury and was trying to reorganise his life, with our help, back to some sort of normality. One of the things he took a fancy to was riding. Over the course of a few months, the staff here had him quite knowledgeable about horses and their care, and riding as though he'd been doing it for years. There are a lot of animals on site, so the trainers can always pick a suitable horse for any individual. Being in Croft, there are plenty of quiet roads and paths around and they also have a training area very close to the main buildings. The rates are very reasonable - I even thought of trying it myself, but the thought of 14 stones of lumpy motorbiker sitting on a horse didn't conjure up a very nice picture! While there, I did see an enormous variety of people coming and going - it's not all young and teenaged girls, you know!

I took my 4 year old daughter here when they were having an open day, she thorougfhly enjoyed…read moreehrself and has not stopped talking about it since. The staff were vey freindly and helpful and the horses were kept in excellent conditions.

I have driven past The Vale Stables and their signs indicating logs and manure for sale many times…read morethinking it was just a horse stables. It may well be this but when I walked past I was overjoyed to find a little garden centre that looks like it rose up from ground and grew out of the trees that hide it. It exists mostly outside with a lady, a cat and dog huddled round a wood burner, running the place. There are plants everywhere, planted in boots, old toilets, amongst carved pieces of wood, as well as in pots, for sale. Recently I picked up a pot of thyme for £1.50 but there were loads of herbs and flowers I could have chosen from. I also wanted some trays and pots to plant my seeds in so I asked if they had any. The lady told me they had loads and to help myself from the pile for no charge! This beats sterile and expensive landscaped garden centres I have tried to avoid since my childhood any day.

The Vale Stables is truly a hidden gem…read more A lovely rambling space packed with seasonal plants of all kinds, where the owners can be found warming their hands on a crackling wood-burner in all weathers - inspiring you to the outdoor life. They sell beautiful healthy plants which are so much cheaper than at any local garden centre. You can also buy wood and good quality manure in the autumn. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. The owner, Gwen, and her daughter, have a wealth of gardening knowledge and will go out of their way to help and advise. My 3 year old boy loves to visit and see the hens, the dog and the river while I browse the plants on offer and soak up the atmosphere.

I think that there is a country person in all city dwellers,the inner you that craves fresh air,…read moreopen landscape and the feeling of freedom only found in rural areas. Carrington Riding Centre is set in greenbelt land and is surrounded by 450 acres of lush countryside. It is the perfect place for urbanites to escape the rat race and is located just off the motorway and very easy to get to. It caters for children and adults of all levels of skill and experience and provides reasonably priced lessons with enthusiastic riding teachers. I would advise beginners to join the group lessons which are good fun and cost approximately £10 although you advance more quickly with the more expensive private lessons which are £21.50 for an hours tuition for adults and £17 for children. The indoor school is large and riders can be watched over by spectators in the small cafe. Serious riders can arrange private lessons with the professionals: Ryan and Janis but for most of us, Carrington Riding Centre provides fun lessons with good tempered horses, especially chosen for their gentle natures. If you don't have proper riding gear and there isn't a jodphur in sight in your wardrobe, equipment can be purchased from the onsite shop, but until you have established that this is something you wish to progress with, then leggings and wellies will suffice and hats can be borrowed free of charge. The parent and child classes on Sunday afternoons cost only £10 per person for half an hour and they are a great way to spend time with the little ones. Pony parties are also held for budding jockeys who are treated to a 30 minute group lesson followed by interraction with the horses in the stables and party food in the cafe which can be brought in by parents or provided for a small charge by staff. As I am classed as a returner, this riding centre has reminded me just how enjoyable riding can be and it has reawakened my love of horses. The staff here are friendly and encouraging and treat everyone equally whether you are a beginner, returner or a seasoned rider. Grand National here I come!

Very friendly and helpful staff, great range of horses too. I am an advanced rider but my daughter…read moreis quite new to horse riding and we were both accomodated without any problems. Love the variety of lessons especially the parent and child class! Great little cafe with a friendly atmosphere..........would highly recommend Well done CRC!

FABULOUS riding school. Owner is a wonderful friendly person and the staff at the school are…read morefriendly. Horses are friendly and patient too for newcomers. Best riding school there is. Would give more than 5stars!