Hyde Park Stables, London

What a super experience to ride through Hyde Park. The horses looked so well and it was lovely to hear about the care those super animals receive, for doing their job so well! Plenty of holidays for those guys! We felt very safe and the instructors had a lovely way of finding out your riding ability, before letting you go!

The horse I rode was happy and forward going in his walk - I literally just had to sit and take in the scenery. Our guide shared interesting information of the park and buildings we passed. Crossing busy roads and riding through parks with dogs and bicycles and kid’s skateboarding was incredible. Those horses just didn’t even look!

It was a wonderful ride and I would recommend it to anyone.

My daughter who is 9, has been taking private lessons here since Aug this year and we have been a regular pretty much once a week lessons for the last 3 months. She loves one of the coaches there and definitely prefer to have the same instructor to keep up with the progress and personally there is nothing wrong to have a preference when you know your child get along with a particular instructor and enjoyed very much each lesson. Understand that’s their policy that they can’t guarantee the same instructor every time due to illness or holiday which is fair, so each time I book, I will just check if that particular day the one instructor we preferred is on duty and available then we book. It’s been fine so far except one time they mess up the schedule and had to assign someone else which they never accept it’s their mistake. My daughter was assigned to one lady who hardly crack a smile, who looks angry and irritated all the time. Even myself would be intimated by her, not to speak for a 9 year old. After that incident, I was a bit disappointed but thought will give it another chance. As usual this time , I have booked our preferred instructor 3 weeks before the day of riding just to fit his schedule. At the end of the lesson, I saw our preferred instructor teaching another child and mine was assign with another instructor. No reason were given to my daughter of such arrangement, they don’t even know how to respect clients. No apologies or explanation or whatever on spot. We pay a lot more versus other stables to have classes at Hyde park because my daughter adores this instructor, HPS is not only charging outrageous prices comparing to the next door stable on the same street, but also way above the stables in London in general. We are happy to pay for the premium but would not expect to get this kid of service . I rang the stable next day to ask why wasn’t my child assigned to the particular instructor we asked for. The lady on the phone was rude and defensive. First telling me the other client had booked that instructor before I did which isn't true because I booked him 3 weeks ago and I was present at the stable at the time of booking, he was available and that’s why we waited 3 weeks to have him to teach my daughter for the purpose of continuity and progress of riding. Then she got defensive because I caught her and then she says because the other child is a special need kid so priority was given to that child. they just think their client is stupid to cover with different lies just to avoid admitting their mismanagement. Then I was questioned why I didn’t get it sorted when I picked up my child on site. I told her I didn’t want to make a scene and because they’re busy with many tourist clients. When you think you are just being considerate, you get blamed. How disrespectful! Then I was told that if I would have come along to watch the lesson, I would see that my daughter is actually riding near her preferred instructor? Just getting really ridiculous how I’m at fault now for not following them on the ride? After that, I got a lecture on how clients get upset due to not getting their preferred instructors and they have to change the policy blah blah blah, making it seems like it’s our fault and our issues. How ridiculous is this company? And another lecture on it’s good to have different instructors teaching your kid so they don’t get used to only riding with one instructor and would be beneficial to their riding life down the road? Twisting things around to fit their policy ! If a child is taking regular private lessons so one should not have the same instructor? What about progress check and continuity? None of their instructors know what my child’s level is, they don’t care! They don’t even have a log on record. They just like to take tourists as clients! They don’t need regulars or customer loyalty. Shame on this stable. If you are serious about taking regular lessons, go elsewhere. This place has awful customer service, staff were not very nice even if you are a regular.

As an experienced rider this is not worth it. The advertisement, and direct quote from the Hyde Park website, to cater for ‘all experience levels’. I have been riding for over 20 years with a wealth of experience under my belt and was under the impression I would have a ride to reflect my experience. However, was left short of this expectation with a tedious walk and trot with two very slow canters. My ‘instructor’ asked to go ahead of me on her pony after he decided to play up a little, refer to picture. I was placed on a lead rope for the initial 10 minutes of riding for the ‘instructor’ to assess my riding ability… I am currently riding pretty much every day on my own horse to this was insulting to say the least. I was asked the last time I was on a lead rein which I honestly cannot answer as it was probably when I was about 6 years old.

The website bangs on about one person and her sister who appear to be ‘international show jumpers’ which means nothing to the lay person and would be better regarded on their own webpage, rather then the Hyde Park Stables page, which in summation caters for beginners and novices at a stretch.

This was booked by my partner as a birthday present and he reassured me he had told the riding stables I was experienced and capable. This was not reflected in the service I received. On arrival you need to select your experience level, however no one views the form and your horse is immediately dragged out for you. If you want the iconic riding stables horse and lethargic stumble around the park then this is the place for you.

The ride was slow, boring and horses were unenthusiastic. If you are looking for something more thrilling than a tiresome plod around Hyde Park, I suggest you avoid at all costs.

I have taken my children to the Hyde Park Stables on many occasions. Here are my thoughts:

1. The horses are superbly looked after and live in air conditioned splendour.

2. The staff are extremely friendly and very professional.

3. The prices are very reasonable for Central London.

4. The riding and assistance provided is most enjoyable.

We return often and I urge others to try the fantastic Hyde Park Stables.

Discriminatory policy on people with minor disabilities.

I have been riding all over the world an all terrain and speed for the past 20 years and I have never experienced discrimination like this. This is the first time I've been rejected on the basis of a disability and apart from the ridiculously unethical and racist element involved in this action, it is also illegal. Truly shameless.

For a proper riding experience or hack, there are better and more proper riding schools in zones 2-5 with more sustainable educational policies. It appears that Hyde Park riding is mainly targeted at tourists and that is also evident in their prices.

Hyde Park Stables. Definitely the best thing i did while in London. Riding through Hyde park was amazing and a great way to see the Park. It is definitely a must for anyone who is in, going to or thinking about going to London.

Hyde Park Stables offer great riding. Fantastic sights to see lovely horses and friendly staff. Not cheap but worth every penny. A fantastic experience, hard to believe you can do this in the centre of London.