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Saddle up for a relaxed 2–2.5 hour ride from Sway into the New Forest, ending at a handcrafted picnic by Little Pickle Deli and Cafe. Perfect for families and beginners, this guided hack pairs easy riding with local food and open heath views.
Saddle up for a relaxed 2–2.5 hour ride from Sway into the New Forest, ending at a handcrafted picnic by Little Pickle Deli and Cafe. Perfect for families and beginners, this guided hack pairs easy riding with local food and open heath views.
Book with Coombe Stables Riding School
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Coombe Stables Riding School · Sway, England
The 2 Hour Picnic Hack is a short horseback trek that showcases the best of the New Forest from its meeting point in Sway, England. Riders of almost any age or experience climb into comfortable tacks, follow soft bridleways through open heath and ancient oak stands, and arrive at a prepared picnic site where a bespoke spread from Little Pickle Deli and Cafe awaits. The route is a straightforward out-and-back: a 45–60 minute ride across low ridges and hollows to a scenic clearing, a leisurely picnic while horses graze or are briefly unsaddled, then the return ride to the stables. Underfoot you will pass heathland heather, broom and gorse, cross small boggy hollows on wooden bridges, and canter where the sandy tracks widen. The soil here is distinctive—acidic, sandy loam over gravel and clay—supporting carpets of purple heather and stands of veteran oak. You may share the open space with the New Forest’s free-roaming ponies and fallow deer, wildlife that gives the landscape an immediate, living quality. What makes this offering special is the low-pressure combination of a guided ride and a handcrafted picnic. Little Pickle Deli and Cafe provides three menu choices that can be adapted for vegetarian and vegan diets; bespoke requests are welcome. The company limits groups to eight riders, keeping the experience personal and safe. Riders are provided hard hats; guides adjust pace for children (minimum age 4) and beginners, so even inexperienced riders can enjoy the route. Practical notes: meet in Sway for check-in; the service is not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers. Expect a total outing time of roughly two to two-and-a-half hours and wear long sleeves and sturdy boots rather than trainers. If you have mobility concerns or dietary restrictions, call ahead to discuss accommodations. This ride is a gentle way to connect with both local ecology and rural food culture—an accessible mini-escape that feels like a proper day out without a long commitment. The hack places riders in immediate contact with New Forest history—royal hunting grounds since the 11th century and incorporated into the National Park in 2005—while delivering an easy, outdoorsy picnic that tastes of place. For visitors based in nearby Lymington, Brockenhurst or Sway, it’s a tidy half-day experience that balances motion, quiet, and the simple pleasure of good food under open sky. Book early for spring and summer weekends to lock in your chosen menu and time. Guides run a short safety briefing on tack, mounting and basic cues before you go; no prior riding skill is required, though calmness helps. Children aged four and up ride with adult supervision. It’s a perfect half-day outing for families, couples or friends staying near the south coast.
moderate.
2–2.5 hours.
Basic riding fitness and the ability to sit in a saddle for up to 90 minutes each way; suitable for children from age 4 with supervision.
Minimum age is 4; children must be supervised and guides adjust pace for younger riders.
Yes, hard hats are provided for all riders—bring your own if you prefer a personal fit.
Expect 45–60 minutes each way across varied bridleways and heathland.
Yes. All picnic options can be made vegetarian or vegan; bespoke items can be requested when booking.
No. The meeting and riding experience are not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers.
Groups are limited to a maximum of eight riders to keep the outing personal and manageable.
The New Forest was designated royal hunting ground in the 11th century and became part of the National Park in 2005.
Stay on bridleways, avoid feeding ponies and pack out picnic waste; these behaviours protect fragile heath soils and grazing regimes.
Coombe Stables Riding School is a riding school based in Sway, England that runs a range of riding experiences and lessons for children and adults. The school offers structured sessions including the Kids Club — a 2-hour activity for children aged 4–14 that combines pony care, grooming and tacking up with a private 20-minute riding lesson. Group Lesson sessions are 30 minutes long and participants are grouped by ability to provide safe, level-appropriate instruction. Private Riding Lessons are available as 30-minute one-on-one sessions that begin with an assessment to create a tailored riding plan. For riders who want to explore the countryside, Private Hacks and Walking Hacks take guests along country lanes and into open forest; Private Hacks can include small exclusive groups of up to 8 participants. The Walking Hack and other guided rides are led by experienced staff to ensure a relaxed, scenic experience. Shorter family-friendly options include the Kids Arena Walk, a guided 20-minute walk in the outdoor arena with hard hats provided, and longer outings like the Picnic Hack — a 4-hour trek through the New Forest featuring a 90-minute ride to a picnic spot and a bespoke lunch before the return ride. All activities emphasize practical pony skills, safety and enjoyment, with clear guidance for riders of differing abilities.
Book with Coombe Stables Riding School