Rideways FAQs

Please find below a selection of regularly asked question, if you have any more querstios please contact the Estate office.

Do I need to book for the rideways?

You do not need to pre-book. Please just turn up on the day and follow the instructions on the board in the car park, fill in the form from the map box and pay cash or cheque in the green box.

How do I pay?

If you have not visited Rideways previously, we would ask you to contact the office. During the week the Estate Office is open to take your fees and issue maps and a pass for the day.

During the weekend, we have a different procedure. Please follow the full instructions on the board. From the map box take a map and form, complete the form and post the top portion with your fees in the fees box. The bottom portion of the voucher must be carried with you on your ride.

Wardens patrol the course and will stop to ask you for details, and to see your voucher.

Is the course patrolled?

We have several Rideway Stewards who ride the course checking for payment details. None payers will be asked to leave immediately.

Are there maps available?

Maps for both the short cross country course and the extended hacking are available on request.

Is direction around the courses clearly marked?

Green arrows indicate the cross country circuit. Blue arrows are used for the extended hacking, both courses are linked.

I have heard that there is a cattle grid near the entrance?

Due to the nature of the Estate and the various activities that are shared on the land, including sheep grazing, there is a cattle grid to the entrance (50m from the car parking) and one to the hacking exit out of the park. However, there is a wooden gate provided to the A19 entrance which may be closed if riders are concerned. There is a hand gate with easy opening to all other gates and in one instance there is an obstacle to jump out instead of opening the gate.

What if I have an emergency or get lost during my ride?

We ask all riders to carry a personal mobile phone with them on their ride. Information numbers are displayed at the start of the course which we ask all riders to key into their contact list. If you are intending to visit, please make a note of this now: 07970 782 286 or 01757 249412. This number is available during all daylight hours 7 days a week.

In a case of extreme emergency, please dial 999 and quote your nearest postcode from the map. Also, jumps are numbered for location purposes.

How can I avoid busy days?

We have over 100 annual members, but due to the size of the course, generally there is room for all. However, we do have several annual bookings made by various groups and if you wish to avoid these dates, please click our 'Events Calendar' tab for full information.

Are the jumps difficult?

Obstacles vary around the course from very small simple logs to solid 1m uprights. All are very friendly and in most cases 5m wide, however, obstacles are all optional and if you do not want to jump, simply hack past.

How long does a day pass allow riders to stay?

Day passes are for the whole day so you are able to ride the course more than once. We have a good grass area for tethering your horse or pony if you wish to wait around. In the summer, visitors often bring a picnic to enjoy in the surroundings.

Is there plenty of room for me to park my horse box?

There is a large parking area with ample turning space and good vehicle access onto the A19.

How long is the course?

There are two courses, the Cross Country Route which is a circular 7 miles and the Extended Hacking is 20 miles in total.

Get in touch with us on:

+44 (0)1904 728252

Or email:

enquiries@escrick.com

Testimonials

Escrick Rideways straight from the horses mouth.

Margaret and Michael Gibson - Sherburn in Elmet

"As members since Rideways originally began 21 years ago, we still ride the course on a regular basis. The riding is excellent and the course is frequently being upgraded and new areas added. It is so wonderful to have this facility with jumps for practicing and training and miles of good, quiet hacks which can be ridden for ½ an hour or up to 2 hours or more, dependant upon whichever route you wish to follow."

Lovely ride, beautiful ground and we had some super canters! We love it here, thanks so much! It's very well sign posted and we adore the route amongst the bluebells. We visit as many times as we can! Thank you to you and your team for keeping the park so well maintained, the ground was fabulous today. KD

A Haigh

I have been a member of Escrick Park Rideways for 10years. It is mine and my horses favourite place. It is perfect for bringing my youngster on and getting her used to new things. My older horse really enjoys it and relaxes straight away. The park is beautiful, you get really close to nature. The tracks and jumps are well maintained and offer a lot of variety. Thank you for running such a lovely venue, I would be lost without it.

Janice

I brought my daughter and her friend here today, 14 year olds, and two ponies. We had a fantastic time and have recommended it to all the owners at our yard. I also want to say how friendly the ladies were in the estate office… your team really were very welcoming!

I can not recommend this venue enough. Great parking and a very warm welcome. Me, my friends and our horses throughly enjoyed having a blast through the estate. It's a magical place to visit and would highly recommend it. We left with massive smiles and we definitely be returning again soon!

Dr Helen Vos

"I have been a member for over 10 years & in that time have hacked a variety of horses, many youngsters, on our own or with others. It's fantastic to be off the roads where other road users can be so lacking in understanding of the need to slow down & generally be considerate to horses. I feel as safe as you can be out hacking so have made the most of the Rideways to get my young horses out & about without having to worry about unpredictable traffic. There are various cross country jumps, mostly 2'-3', for those that wish to jump; again very useful for starting off young horses over small obstacles."

Katy D

Thanks Escrick Park for another beautiful ride today. Myself and my friend Dawn came over in this glorious sunshine to ride in your parkland. I am writing really to say what a wonderful job you are doing, the tracks were amazing the ground was fab and the jumps were in very good state. Thank you to all that work tirelessly to keep this in this condition for us.

J Jessop

"I just want to say thank you for a most enjoyable day riding the tracks. I struck on the idea of using the rideways as a way of entertaining my grand daughter during the school half term and it worked a treat. As no-one else was out on the tracks while we rode our horses, the wildlife was much in evidence and we passed within a few yards of a stag at one point in the woods. He looked at us and carried on browsing - Fantastic to be so close to a wild creature without it running away! We saw more deer and other wildlife and enjoyed the tranquility and scenery, particularly the autumn leaf colours and the sunbeams filtering down through the trees as we carried on the ride"

Gill Sanders - Queen Margaret's Riding School & Livery Yard

"As the owner of a riding school and livery yard on the Escrick Park Estate I am both delighted and relieved to have such wondeful hacking on my doorstep. My clients, and everyone that I meet while out riding, enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside without the continual worry of traffic and other hazards on the roads. The jumps are a bonus for those who want a little extra excitement and are well designed to be as safe as solid obstacles can be. They are excellent for introducing novice horses or riders to cross country type fences. I would recommend the Escrick Park Rideways to all ages and all kinds of rider - there is something for everyone."

I am now retiring and leaving the area, but just wanted to say it has been a pleasure to be able to use the park for many years. Many thanks.