HOLIDAYS WITH HORSES

For the inexperienced, here are five ways to include horses on your next adventure. 1. STROLL WITH SHETLANDS

Located on a working hill farm in Sterling, Scotland (the same family have been in residence here for more than a century), Castle Rednock Trekking Centre not only offers novices the opportunity to learn to ride, but also the option to take a stroll with their Shetland ponies. castlerednocktrekking.com 2. LEARN TO DRIVE A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE

Based in Chaceley, Gloucestershire, Neddies and Nosebags runs half-day, full-day and week-long residential courses on the art of horse-carriage driving. neddiesandnosebags.co.uk 3. TREK WITH PONIES

Traverse the countryside on horseback to see the hills from a different perspective. Pony trekking is offered across the UK in places such as the Brecon Beacons (cantref.com), Derbyshire (derbyshire-pony-trekking.co.uk) and even London (visitleevalley.org.uk). 4. WORK WITH SHIRES ON THE FARM

On the lower slopes of May Hill, west of Gloucester, the folks at Cold Croft Farm are keen for everyone to learn traditional skills associated with the heavy horse breed. Half- and one-day experiences see you taking them out to work in the fields before finishing with a well-deserved pint in the pub. coldcroftfarm.co.uk 5. TRAVEL IN A HORSE-DRAWN BARGE

On the Kennet and Avon Canal, Berkshire, one of the last horse-drawn barges (pictured below) awaits to introduce you to the fastest way of slowing down. kennet-horse-boat.co.uk

6. WILD COAST, MULL

The Isle of Mull has a 300-mile coastline, a population of under 3,000 and oodles of wilderness. Take a one-day wildlife tour and spot golden and white-tailed eagles, otters, seals and more. Stay at Achnacraig Cottage in the midst of all the glorious nowhere. One-day wildlife tour, £60; naturescotland.com.

Achnacraig Cottage (sleeps six) costs from £325 a week. isleofmullcottages.com/cottage/ achnacraig-cottage.html

7. FORGOTTEN HILLS, DENBIGHSHIRE

There’s plenty for walkers to enjoy in North Wales beyond busy Snowdonia.

Try out the generous network of footpaths along the upper Dee Valley, or the surprisingly remote moorland of the Berwyn range. Stay at The Landmark Trust’s Plas Uchaf, a glorious medieval ‘hall house’ above the Dee with easy access to the Berwyns. From £244 for four nights.

8. SECRET BEACHES, PEMBROKESHIRE

Pembrokeshire is a beach-hopper’s delight. Avoid the crowds at Barafundle and head for lesser-known gems such as Bullslaughter Bay and Mowingward Bay. At nearby Stackpole Under The Stars there are yurts, luxury pods and safari tents, and plenty of space to pitch your own tent. Glamping from £110 a night, camping £25 (for two). stackpoleunderthestars.wales

9. BETWEEN SHORE AND MOOR, SOMERSET

Get your seaside vibe on at Porlock Weir in Exmoor National Park. The bijou Locanda on the Weir hotel enjoys magnificent views over the 15th-century harbour, while local Exmoor Adventures (exmooradventures.

co.uk) offers everything from paddleboarding and kayaking to archery and mountain biking. From £350 for two nights B&B. locandaontheweir.co.uk

10. GREAT ESTATES, YORKSHIRE

From the landscaped ‘wilderness’ of Hackfall Wood (hackfall.org.uk) to the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park (himalayangarden.com), discovering North Yorkshire’s less-frequented parks is a joy. Trundle jauntily between them in the eDub – based near Knaresborough, it’s the world’s only classic VW campervan for hire that’s entirely battery-powered. The campervan is £149 per night (including campsite and recharging). edubtrips.co.uk

11. A LEAFY EDEN, POWYS

Seek out the quiet of the night in or around the Brecon Beacons National Park – one of only 18 Dark Sky Reserves on the planet – and go stargazing. Stay at Plas Bach eco-cabin and during the day you can enjoy its seven acres of sumptuous garden, woodland, orchards and fields. From £88 a night (sleeps two). canopyandstars.co.uk/britain/wales/powys/lower-house/plas-bach

12. A SECLUDED RETREAT, CORNWALL

The Roseland Peninsula is a ravishing corner of Cornwall yet most visitors rush to St Mawes and miss out on its tranquil interior. Hire a boat or take a sailing lesson on the picturesque Percuil River with Roseland Paddle and Sail (paddleandsail.com). And stay in one of four pretty holiday cottages on the glorious Place Estate, with its manor house and church, at St Anthony-in-Roseland. From £378 a week. 01872 264441, roselandcottages.co.uk

13. SIMPLE PLEASURES OF THE PEAK, DERBYSHIRE

Standing alone on the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate with magnificent Peak District views on every side, White Edge Lodge is a holiday cottage in the classic tradition, even down to the roll-top bath. Hire bikes from nearby Monsal Trail Cycle Hire (hassopstation.co.uk) and hit the familyfriendly cycle path following a former railway line. From £659 a week (sleeps five). 03448 002070, nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/white-edge-lodge-derbyshire

14. NEST IN THE WILDERNESS, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

Head for the Cairngorms and you’ll find the Crofthouse on a farm in the remote fastnesses of the national park. Ideal for a large family, there’s the beautiful River Spey to explore and a separate studio thrown in free, where guests can paint, draw, sing, dance, or practice yoga to their heart’s content. It’s £786 a week (sleeps eight). 07811 322722, myhighlandcroft.co.uk

15. A FLOATING PARADISE, DEVON

Fancy some time simply lounging around reading that book you never have time for, while rocking gently on water? Try Blackbird. Moored on a private lake in north Devon, it’s a brand new deluxe narrowboat just for two. Its “patchy mobile reception” and lack of internet make it perfect for a total escape. Four nights from £400. tregullandandco.co.uk

16. RAILWAY RETREAT, SUTHERLAND

The beautifully converted railway carriages at Rogart – one of the nation’s most remote railway stations – is in one of the least populated parts of Britain. This inspiring get-away-from-it-all destination comes with a nearby nature reserve and expanses of sandy beach beyond. The carriages are open from April to October; £58 a night (sleeps two) or £88 (sleeps four). 07833 641226, sleeperzzz.com

17. A GREEN ESCAPE, NORTHUMBERLAND

The hamlet of Greenhaugh is home to the Holly Bush, a 300-year-old drovers’ inn that ticks all the boxes: tasty locally sourced food, real log fire and wonderfully comfortable rooms. Nearby Kielder Water and Forest Park (visitkielder.com) offers everything from watersports and mountain biking to zip wires and zorbing. Double rooms from £95. 01434 240391, hollybushinn.net