Horse-riding in Epping Forest

Riding in Epping Forest

The Forest is a great place for a ride with your horse. 

You can ride on any of the 284km of shared use paths that run through the Forest. We also have open riding for the drier months of the year, when you can ride almost anywhere.

Licences

You do need a licence to ride in Epping Forest and you can be fined if you ride without one. We have daily, weekly and annual licences that you can apply for below.

Have a look at our map if you'd like some help planning your day out with us.

Guidelines

There are a few little guidelines you should follow when you're riding here:

• You need to have a valid horse-riding licence to ride here
• You have to show your licence disc on the left side of your bridle
  • If you lose your disc, you can get a replacement from us for £7
• Wear a hard hat, sensible footwear, and high-visibility clothes
• Make sure someone knows your route if you're riding alone
• Don't jump any obstacle in the Forest for your own safety
• Always pass walkers, cyclists and other Forest users slowly
• Also pass slowly if you meet any of our grazing cattle
• Leave gates as you find them

Places you can't ride

There are a few places you can't ride your horse in the Forest, because they're protected for one reason or another. These are:

• the Iron Age earthworks at Loughton Brook and Ambresbury Bank
• Sunshine Plain and Deershelter Plain
• and our easy access paths