UK - Dartmoor Crossing

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from MF of Waltham on 09/07/2024

Riders will be guided through some of the most spectacular riding anywhere in the UK, stopping en-route at local beauty spots for a packed lunch.

Day 1
Arrive in the afternoon or evening and check in at the Castle Inn (or similar). Enjoy a traditional country pub dinner and meet the fellow riders before settling in for the night.

Day 2
Meet the horses and head off on the first part of the trail ride, leaving from Meldon and riding for around four hours before overnight at the Castle Inn (or similar) again.

Day 3
Saddle up after breakfast for a ride across Dartmoor of approx 4 – 5 hrs. Reach the Two Bridges Hotel perched on the banks of the West Dart River. You'll stop here for dinner and overnight (or similar).

Day 4
Continue on the trail, setting off from the hotel and riding onto Drywell Farm. This is a 3-4 hrs ride and finishes for the day near Widecombe where the group check in to a local farm B&B.

Day 5
(May, July, and Aug) Trail ride from Drywell Farm, 4 – 5 hrs overnight at Drywell again.
(Sept) Visit to Widecombe Fair (additional cost of around £12 payable at the entrance)

Day 6
Ride on to Chagford, 3 – 4 hrs overnight at the Three Crowns Hotel (or similar)

Day 7
Ride home to Meldon, 4 hrs, overnight at the Castle Inn again (or similar)

Day 8
Departure

Also available as a short break option 

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

There is a selection of fantastic Quarter Horses and Paints at this ranch. Known for their calm attitude and appetite for work, all are western trained, very sure footed, a pleasure to ride and cross the terrain with ease. Heights range from 14:3 to 16:2hh. The hosts for this ride often start and back their own horses to suit the type of work, all must be sensible with good manners. In total there are 15 horses, all are fit, forward-going and surefooted on the Dartmoor terrain. Riders do need to be reasonably fit as there is between 4-6 hours in the saddle each riding day. Hard hats are compulsory at this destination and the ranch has some available to borrow but we recommend bringing your own if possible.

The tack is all Western. If guests haven't ridden Western before, don't worry, it is fairly easy for intermediate riders to pick up and they may find it a lot more comfortable than a traditional English saddle! In total riders will cover around 130kms on this trail.

This is a progressive trail ride for intermediate riders onwards. Riders should be confident riding at a walk, trot and canter in open countryside. The terrain involves crossing streams, shallow rivers, undulating ground and up and down steep inclines and would not be suitable for novice or inexperienced riders. The style of riding at this ranch is very much akin to ‘Natural Horsemanship’. Riders should be relaxed in the saddle and ride with soft hands.

Age range is 18 to 65. Upper age limit is discretionary depending on rider fitness and experience, please speak to your travel advisor for more information. The maximum weight is 15 Stone (95kg). Riders are welcome to help with grooming and saddling their own horses but this is not compulsory.

The weight limit for this ride is 210 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Accommodation is provided at different B&B’s and hotels each night. All stays are in twin or double rooms with ensuite or shared bathrooms. A single supplement of around £175 is payable if booking alone. Riders spend the first two and the last night at The Castle Inn (or similar), a beautiful, traditional 16th century Devonshire pub with rooms situated in the historic and picturesque Dartmoor village of Lydford. Spend the third night at the Two Bridges Hotel (or similar). This welcoming bolthole is perched on the banks of the West Dart River, with beautiful countryside in every direction. The next stop is a rural farm B&B to experience some genuine Devonshire hospitality with local residents before returning back to The Castle Inn for the final night. All rooms include towels and most of them have Wifi.

Breakfasts are provided by the hotels and B&Bs and are usually buffet style offering a choice of a continental or a traditional full English breakfast. Lunch is a picnic eaten at a picturesque spot on the trail. Dinner is not included but can be provided by the accommodation (usually modern British cuisine such as fish and chips, burgers, pies) or at other local eateries which your host will be happy to recommend.

Very occasionally in busy seasons, clents may be split between accommodations in different locations.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the US travel advice is available from: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/UnitedKingdom.html In Canada travel advice is available from:: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-kingdom

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

Along with the rest of South West England, Dartmoor has a temperate climate which is generally wetter and milder than locations at similar height in the rest of England. January and February are the coldest months with mean minimum temperatures around 1 °C (34 °F). July and August are the warmest months. On the highest ground, in the north of the moor, the growing season is less than 175 days – this contrasts with some 300 days along most of the south coast of the county. The weather is very changeable though so we recommend being prepared for hot days, sudden heavy rain, as well as cold winds and basking sunshine at any time of year. This ride involves travelling from 800 ft up to 2000 ft, where the temperature is cooler so we recommend dressing in layers.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in the UK and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

In United Kingdom the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

Electricty is available at each evenings accommodation for charging camera batteries. Free Wifi is available at The Castle Inn (first 2 and final nights), Two Bridges Hotel (3rd night) and at the Three Crowns (6th night). If you want to bring a GoPro please be advised that you will have to have permission from all other guests and guides that they are willing to be filmed.

Your hosts farm sits at 800 ft, and you'll ride up to 2,000ft where it can be quite a bit cooler than at the farm so we strongly recommend warm riding wear and good riding waterproofs, a long slicker type is usually the most practical.

- Riding hat - these are mandatory. We strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384 (One can be provided, but we recommend you bring your own)
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Half Chaps - these are great when worn with ankle boots and help prevent the stirrup leathers rubbing against your legs
- Shirts
- Jumpers
- Fleece
- Casual evening wear
- Waterproof coat, ‘Drizabone’ slicker type is recommended
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Camera, spare Batteries/Chargers - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding

Provided by hosts
Riding helmet

This is a 7 night trail ride on set dates between May and October.

2025: May 17; 28 June; 16 Aug; 5 Sept (Friday to Friday includes Widecombe Fair).

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Dartmoor is the largest and highest upland in southern Britain, exposed to strong winds and high rainfall. The soils are acidic and the area has been relatively undisturbed by intensive agriculture. These factors make the National Park especially interesting in terms of its wildlife.

Because of the climate and diversity of habitats there is a great diversity of species. Dartmoor is also an important reserve for those species that can withstand harsher conditions including some very rare plants and animals. Dartmoor is particularly noted for rare lichens, butterflies and other insects. There are also many birds of moors, heath and farmland to be found here.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a sovereign country in western Europe. Lying off the north-western coast of the European mainland, the United Kingdom includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands. Apart from this land border, the United Kingdom is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the North Sea to its east, the English Channel to its south and the Celtic Sea to its south-south-west, giving it the 12th-longest coastline in the world. The Irish Sea lies between Great Britain and Ireland. With an area of 242,500 square kilometres (93,600 sq mi), the United Kingdom is the 78th-largest sovereign state in the world and the 11th-largest in Europe. It is also the 21st-most populous country, with an estimated 65.1 million inhabitants. Together, this makes it the fourth-most densely populated country in the European Union. The capital of the United Kingdom and its largest city is London, a global city and financial centre with an urban area population of 10.3 million, the fourth-largest in Europe and second-largest in the European Union. Other major urban areas in the United Kingdom include the conurbations centred on Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester. The United Kingdom consists of four countries—England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The last three have devolved administrations, each with varying powers based in their capitals, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, respectively. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of governance. The monarch is now King Charles III following the passing of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned from 6 February 1952 until 8 September 2023. England is separated from continental Europe by the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south. The country covers five-eighths of the island of Great Britain (which lies in the North Atlantic) in its centre and south; and includes over 100 smaller islands such as the Isles of Scilly, and the Isle of Wight. England's terrain mostly comprises low hills and plains, especially in central and southern England. However, there are uplands in the north (for example, the mountainous Lake District, and the Pennines) and in the southwest (for example, Dartmoor and the Cotswolds). England has a temperate maritime climate: it is mild with temperatures not much lower than 0 °C (32 °F) in winter and not much higher than 32 °C (90 °F) in summer. The weather is damp relatively frequently and is changeable. The coldest months are January and February, the latter particularly on the English coast, while July is normally the warmest month. Months with mild to warm weather are May, June, September and October. Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. Scotland's only land border is with England, which runs for 60 miles (97 km) in a north-easterly direction from the Solway Firth in the west to the North Sea on the east coast. Scotland accounts for just under a third of the total area of the UK, covering 78,772 square kilometres (30,410 sq mi) and including nearly eight hundred islands, predominantly west and north of the mainland; notably the Hebrides, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands. Scotland is the most mountainous country in the UK. The more rugged Highland region contains the majority of Scotland's mountainous land, including Ben Nevis which at 1,343 metres (4,406 ft) is the highest point in the British Isles. The climate of Scotland is temperate and very changeable, but rarely extreme. Scotland is warmed by the North Atlantic Drift and given the northerly location of the country, experiences much milder conditions than areas on similar latitudes, such as Labrador in Canada - where icebergs are a common feature in winter. Wales accounts for less than a tenth of the total area of the UK, covering 20,779 square kilometres (8,020 sq mi). Wales is mostly mountainous, though South Wales is less mountainous than North and mid Wales. The highest mountains in Wales are in Snowdonia and include Snowdon which, at 1,085 metres (3,560 ft), is the highest peak in Wales. Wales has a maritime climate, the predominant winds being south-westerly and westerly, blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. This means that the weather in Wales is in general mild, cloudy, wet and windy. The country's wide geographic variations cause localised differences in amounts of sunshine, rainfall and temperature. Rainfall in Wales varies widely, with the highest average annual totals in Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons, and the lowest near the coast and in the east, close to the English border. In July 2007, England is introducing a smoking ban in pubs and other public places, following on from the success of the scheme in Ireland. Be aware that there may be large fines for smoking in banned areas. The UK is on GMT time. Although most weights and measures are now metric (celsius, litres and kg) some imperial measures remain and distances are indicated in miles. The international dialling code is +44.