Top 10 BHS-Approved Riding Schools in Greater London

Below we highlight 10 Fully BHS-approved Riding Schools Within Greater London that are renowned for advanced instruction and multi-discipline training. Each centre offers excellent facilities (many with both indoor and outdoor arenas) and caters to riders looking to advance their skills in dressage, jumping, eventing and more.

Navigation

• Trent Park Equestrian Centre 
• Lee Valley Riding Centre 
• London Equestrian Centre 
• Docklands Equestrian Centre 
• Dulwich Riding School 
• Kingston Riding Centre

1. Trent Park Equestrian Centre (Enfield, N London)

One of London’s biggest BHS Centre of Excellence: 100-plus horses, five arenas and direct ride-out into 413 acres of parkland. Expect slick organisation, competition-calibre footing and a buzzing, goal-driven atmosphere.

Facilities

• 2 indoor & 3 outdoor arenas with galleries
• Dedicated XC schooling field
• Miles of off-road bridlepaths

Trainers

• Sue Martin BHSII – proprietor & former show-jumper
• Maria Johnson BHSAI – centre manager
• Team of Senior Coaches inc. Doriel Watson BHSII & multiple BHSAI instructors

Disciplines

• Dressage fundamentals to lateral work
• Course-building show-jump practice
• Cross-country technique & fitness
• BHS exam preparation clinics

Who It’s For

First-timers through Stage-exam candidates and serious competitors.

Pricing

• Children’s private 45 min £57
• Adults 45 min £77

2. Lee Valley Riding Centre — (Leyton, E London)

Gigantic flood-lit arenas, an on-site cross-country course and a mechanical horse simulator make this municipal showpiece a one-stop skill factory—without leaving Zone 3.

Facilities

• 40 × 20 m indoor; 60 × 20 & 80 × 30 m outdoors
• Full XC course & riding simulator

Trainers

• Led by Irena Grint, BHS-registered Senior Coach, plus Stage-3 & Stage-4 instructors delivering exam courses up to Stage 2 Teach

Disciplines

• “Have-a-Go” taster to Learn-to-Ride 12-week series
• Dressage, SJ clinics, XC schooling
• Pony Club & RDA adaptive sessions
• BHS study evenings up to Stage 2

Who It’s For

Absolute beginners through advanced jumpers wanting all disciplines under one roof, including accessible/adaptive programs.

Pricing

• Private 30 min £52 (off-peak) / £62 (peak)
• Private 45 min £67 (off-peak) / £75 (peak)

3. London Equestrian Centre — Finchley N12

Family-run for 35 years, this green-belt hideaway pairs a friendly café culture with highly commended BHS instruction and a broad, confidence-building horse string.

Facilities

• Large covered indoor + full-size outdoor arena
• Two extra schooling rings; heated viewing lounge

Trainers

• All coaches hold BHSAI/BHSII or higher, led by a senior BHSI-level chief instructor; lesson quality is the school’s proudest selling point

Disciplines

• Flatwork & elementary dressage
• Show-jumping grids/courses
• BHS stage & Pony Club training
• Visiting-coach masterclasses

Who It’s For

City riders—from Tiny Tot first sits to adults refining flying changes—who want big-school quality close to home.

Pricing

• Private 30 min / £60
• Group 60 min / £60
• Tiny-Tots 15 min / £40

4. Docklands Equestrian Centre — Beckton E6

Charity-run, RDA-affiliated and the only indoor school in inner East London—affordable lessons plus a gold-standard volunteer program.

Facilities

• 20 × 60 m indoor & all-weather outdoor
• American-barn stabling; RDA mounting ramp

Trainers

• Eva Pullum – BHS-registered coach, alongside a mix of qualified instructors and trainee apprentices

Disciplines

• Arena-based flatwork & starter jumping
• Tiny-tot pony rides & lead-rein
• Volunteer pathway with free-lesson credits

Who It’s For

Budget-savvy city riders, disability riders, and teens keen to “earn while they learn” in the barn.

Pricing

• Group 30 min: £20 (kids) / £25 (adults)
• Group 60 min: £30 / £40
• Pony rides: £3 (1 lap) / £7.50 (3 laps)

5. Dulwich Riding School — Dulwich SE21

A South-London classic with a seven-level syllabus, heated indoor gallery and an enviable wait-list—community-driven but uncompromising on correct basics.

Facilities

• Covered indoor arena + outdoor ménage
• Horse-share scheme for frequent riders

Trainers

• Run by Linda Bellman-Gray with a BHS-qualified team; instructors mentor helpers working toward their own BHSAI

Disciplines

• Structured flatwork levels 1–7
• Introductory jumping modules
• Semi-private coaching, Pony Days, parties

Who It’s For

Local families & adult re-starters who appreciate a clear progression ladder and tight-knit atmosphere.

6. Kingston Riding Centre — Kingston KT2

Since the late 1970s this riverside yard has combined Olympic-size arenas with dreamy deer-lined hacks straight into Richmond Park—serious schooling with a country backdrop.

Facilities

• 20 × 60 m flood-lit indoor
• 55 × 35 m outdoor with jumps
• 30+ stables & 30 acres turnout

Trainers

• Kelly Lessel BHSAI headlines a compact coaching team; all regular coaches hold BHS qualifications and run Stage-course evenings

Disciplines

• Classical flatwork & novice–1 dressage tests
• Jumping grids to metre-plus courses
• Fitness hacks & park gallops
• Stage exam & Pony Club camps

Who It’s For

Intermediate–advanced riders who want high-level coaching plus unlimited park hacking; coveted for share & livery slots.

Pricing

• Group 60 min / £63
• Private 30 min / £55–£60
  
  

7. Stag Lodge Stables (Richmond Park & Wimbledon Common)

Two historic sites, 70-plus horses and seven arenas right on 4 500 acres of woodland make Stag Lodge the capital’s outdoor-schooling superstar—family vibe, serious standards.

Facilities

• Seven flood-lit outdoor arenas
• Full show-jump course; horse-walker
• Gate-side access to park/common trails

Trainers

• A “dedicated team of qualified instructors” ranging from BHSAI to Stage-4 coaches, supported by enthusiastic helpers for every age group

Disciplines

• Flatwork & pole clinics
• Jumping, ride-&-lead, escorted hacks
• BHS coursework, Pony Club camps

Who It’s For

All-ages riders who prefer fresh-air arenas and instant woodland hacking over indoors.

Pricing

• Group 60 min kids / £59
• Private 30 min / £48–£59

FAQs

Do London riding schools cancel for rain?

If a yard has an indoor arena (all six above do), lessons almost always proceed—heavy snow or high winds are the main exceptions.

What should I wear for an indoor lesson?

Long stretchy trousers and a shoe with a small heel; the school will lend you a safety-rated riding hat and, where needed, boots.

How far ahead should I book?

Winter evenings and weekend mornings are peak times. Aim for two weeks’ notice (longer for Dulwich). Mid-day weekday slots often have next-day availability.