Trent Park Equestrian Centre

Dangerous rip off.
I’ve been riding for years. I had a three year break and recently decided to get back in the saddle. Even experienced riders should keep learning so I like to mix my leisure riding with some lessons. I had a lesson at TP Riding Stables recently and I would not recommend it; the instructor was surly and lacking warmth, but most disappointing of all, I had a ‘private’ lesson in same (half) arena as four other ‘private’ lessons.
This is dangerous as the other riders were not as experienced as me, one guy was having his first ever lesson, donned in jeans and with little control of his horse. Riders were changing the diagonal on a whim so the horses were in different directions. It was practically impossible to get a good canter going with all that traffic, very hard to hear your instructor shouting to be heard among the other instructors. I found it more stressful than enjoyable.
I found the general atmosphere of the stables miserable and many of the staff are plain rude.
This was my first and last attempt to ride in a London based school. it seems I’ll have to wait til I move back to the country to get a decent actual private lesson, which is sad as TP could be great better managed.

The best thing about riding in London, is wandering round in jodphurs and chaps, carrying whips. It is the best way I have found to attract a few raised eyebrows.
Trent Park is close to the second to last stop on the Piccadilly Line, about 40 minutes from central London. It offers riding lessons for anyone from beginner to expert, and has a good range of ponies available for children. The reception staff are of variable manners, some of them treat customers with contempt, but others are perfectly pleasant and helpful. Be warned, if you are treated with contempt, be prepared to be offered a horse with attitude! There are a lot of horses at Trent Park, and also a large number of customers, meaning that you are unlikely to get the same horse twice unless you book one specifically. There also seems to be a lot of rotation among the instructors, which can be a little hit and miss, though most of them are perfectly pleasant.
This is a good place to keep up your riding, or to learn the basics, but if you want to experience the real thing, you will need to go further afield.