horse riding outside london: advice pls

[vito]

I have a dear friend coming to visit soon. I don t see her for nearly 2 years now and lately she got very much into horse riding. It has really changed her life as for stress related problems and now she really wants me to try it.

As she is staying a few days in London I d like to take her outside the city (she knows here anyway) for a fun day in the countryside. I am thinking to book some horse riding lesson or perhaps a walk somewhere nice outside London but not too far from london.

The idea is to spend the morning with horses, have lunch somewhere nice nearby and perhaps taking bikes with us ( i own a van) for a nice and easy afternoon bikes ride..

Can anyone recommend nice stables outside London, with nice horses and friendly people possibly:)?

Apparently she is nearly a pro at riding ..I am a beginner

Thanx for Your answers..

[TheArtfulDogger]

Downe hall stables is my recommendation, with two pubs in the village (downe) that do a decent lunch, friendly stable staff and a lovely countryside area to ride in.

Charles darwins house is a short bike ride away too

Downe is between Bromley and bigger hill

[vito]

Thank You very much for Your advice!

I see they do not have a website but will give them a call!!

thanx:)

[Siduhe]

If you don't mind travelling a bit, Mount Mascal would be worth looking at. They do a great "back to riding" course for people but also have lost of advanced riders and great facilities so would suit a mixed level group.

http://www.mountmascalstables.com/

It's just outside Bexley, so easy to head out into the Kent countryside from there.