Horse Riding
Temple Newsam Estate covers 1,500 acres of parkland, farmland, woodland and hedgerows. Much of it is either
open to the public through a network of public rights of way, bridleways and permissive paths, or it can be
seen from accessible viewpoints, giving a delicious sense of being in the great outdoors when you're still only
half a mile from the urban edge.
Temple Newsam Bridleway is the only off-road bridleway circuit in West Yorkshire. It was developed in the
1990s by Parks and Countryside in partnership with the British Horse Society and with consultation with local
riders and has proved very popular. Riders from many of the local livery stables in the catchment area use some
part of the circuit, most intensively at weekends and in summer. It also links to other bridleways at Swillington,
Pontefract Lane and Halton Moor.
You can get copies of the Bridlepath Map from The Reception Office in Stable Courtyard at Temple Newsam. Just
remember that the House, Farm, Stable Courtyard, parkland down to the lakes and Rose Garden, and access paths
between, are very busy pedestrian routes, much-used by families with small children and are, therefore off
limits to horses, even if they are being led. Instead you have got miles of beautiful rolling landscape to ride
through, using our well-maintained bridlepath. Happy hacking!
Temple Newsam Bridleway Code of Conduct
- Keep to the line of the Bridlepath and Public Bridleways. On all other
routes, you are liable to prosecution under the bye-laws
- Respect other path users - remember that they may not always be
aware that you are there
- Fasten all gates
- Do not make jumps
- Gallop or canter only where the roads can take the pressure and there
is good visibility
- Remember that horses' hooves can damage surfaces in bad weather
- Ride slowly past all stock
- Keep off cultivated land, golf course fairways, greens, footpaths, mown
areas of grassland and cricket and football pitches
- Protect wildlife, plants and trees
- Take your litter home
- Observe local bye-laws
For information and advice on many issues facing horse riders, see
The British Horse Society website at
www.bhs.org.uk.
