Exhilarating adventures on horseback at Bovey Castle

Set in 275 acres, Bovey Castle in Devon is a five-red-star luxurious country house hotel with 60 bedrooms and 22 lodges. The hotel sits in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, known for its sweeping vistas and huge skies – the perfect backdrop for adventurous horse-riding experiences.

Bovey Castle has teamed up with Liberty Trails, a highly-rated bespoke adventure riding company which is popular with expert and high-profile riders, including the broadcaster Sara Cox, Olympic three-day eventer Mary King MBE and actor Martin Clunes. With outstanding local knowledge, the company arranges adventurous multi-day guided riding across Dartmoor’s varied terrain. After an initial consultation, taking into consideration horse preferences, riding distances and each guest’s ability, a tailor-made itinerary is created with the option of guests being able to gallop back to Bovey Castle at the end of the day. Here are some of the options available:

Saddles, Spa and Castle Stay – from £1,500 pp at Bovey Castle
This three-night package is the perfect mix of adventurous riding combined with the chance to relax and be pampered at Bovey Castle. Spend the first full day exploring Dartmoor on a thrilling ride with one of Liberty Trails’ professional guides, stopping for a picnic lunch at a scenic beauty spot. On day two, choose one of three options: a full day of trail riding, a fast-paced ride with an expert falconer on horseback, or a half-day ride combined with an afternoon relaxing at Bovey Castle’s Elan Spa. The price is from £1,500 pp (two sharing) and includes three nights’ accommodation in a Castle Room, daily breakfast and dinner, two days’ riding with picnic lunches/transfers and use of all facilities at Bovey Castle. Extra days can be added at an additional cost.

A ‘horsey house party’ – from £60 pp (N.B. horse-riding charged extra; prices on request)
For something more flexible, why not why stay in a Bovey Castle Lodge? Each lodge sleeps up to six adults and two children in three en-suite rooms, with open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas. Kick off your boots after a day in the saddle and enjoy the range of facilities available.  Aside from the relaxing spa, there is an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, cider and sloe gin-making, falconry and off-road driving. In the evening, stroll up to the hotel for a glass of vintage champagne in the bar, dine at Bovey Castle’s flagship Great Western restaurant, which holds 3 AA Rosettes, or enjoy casual fare at Smith’s Brasserie. Alternatively, ‘eat in’ with a BBQ on the balcony or cook for family or friends in the lodge’s well-equipped kitchen. An overnight stay in a Bovey Castle Lodge is priced from £475 total/£60 pp (eight sharing).

For more details, please call Bovey Castle on 01647 445 007 (www.boveycastle.com). For further information on tailor-made horse-riding experiences with Liberty Trails, please call 01822 851 463; www.liberty-trails.com.

Press: For further information or press trip requests (with a suitable commission), please contact Julia Farish or Camilla Colley at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email j.farish@travelpr.co.uk or c.colley@travelpr.co.uk.

Notes to Editors

• The Eden Hotel Collection is part of The Rigby Group Plc, one of the UK’s largest and most successful family-owned businesses. Founded by IT entrepreneur Sir Peter Rigby, the Group’s portfolio spans hotels, aviation, technology, property and investments.
• The Eden Hotel Collection consists of nine luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. They are Mallory Court, Leamington Spa; Buckland Tout-Saints Hotel and Bovey Castle in Devon; The Kings Hotel, Cotswolds; The Arden Hotel and Arden House in Stratford-upon-Avon; Brockencote Hall Hotel, Worcestershire; The Greenway Hotel & Spa, Cheltenham, and The Mount Somerset Hotel & Spa, Somerset.
• Liberty Trails is an independent company and curator of bespoke horseback adventures on Dartmoor. It delivers world class experiences to enthusiastic and discerning riders with a thirst for adventure.