With museums, galleries, parks, shows, shops and nightspots all in abundance, the only element that may be lacking in London are countryside pursuits. Sure, a stroll by the river or a walk around one of London’s numerous city farms can give a quick taste, but sometimes it is important to get back to nature more emphatically.
For those coming from the countryside or even from further afield, a gentle horse ride can be just the break one needs from the city. West London Stables, near Latimer Road tube station, has been offering city dwellers this opportunity for the past 15 years. Whether you simply want to have a hack through Wormwood Scrubs Park, or have a child who wants to learn to compete, you have all options available to you there. Indeed, one of the major aims of the stables is to teach inner city children how to be with horses.
Children’s group lessons start from a little over £20 and private lessons just shy of £30. The prices do increase at weekends, however, and this is just for half an hour. Adult classes are slightly steeper and hacking costs £50 – for this you will have to prove your riding ability first. There are also a range of special events organised throughout the year and you can even hire the centre for a private party.
With so much else on offer in London, it can be easy to get swept away in the numerous urban adventures on offer. West London Stables offers something completely different, however, and allows you to get a break away from the bustling city – if only for a couple of hours.