I went to Mill Farm Riding School as part of a Groupon Deal. When I arrived, two big dogs were barking at me and ran to me and one was even growling. Since I'm having a dog myself, I did not panic but a girl who just arrived with her mother was really scared. So if you're afraid of dogs do not go there! When I finally found something supposed to be a reception area (there was no sign) and person to talk to, the lady was quite nice. However, she told me that I should pay for the hat and forgot that this was included in the Groupon deal. Then, she told me that she doesn't know which horse she should put me on. There were many children who then started to gossip about the horses and said things like don't take Crystal but she was ok LAST time I really started to wonder if the horses are really difficult to ride After several minutes, she appeared to have a plan. However, then another guy turned up who told her that he would prefer to do the lesson with me and that she should go on the trek with children. Well, well all not professionally organised but I can live with it. I then saw the stables and the horse I was supposed to ride. The horse was quite dirty and noone had groomed it. The box was super dirty, too. There was barely any straw and horse droppings everywhere. I felt really pitty for the horse who has to live like this! The lesson took place outside they don't have an indoor arena. The ground was very wet and there were puddles everywhere. Obviously, me and the horse got extremely dirty everywhere during the lesson. The instructor was very friendly, he truly made an effort! That's why I give 2 stars and not just one. He was chatting a lot with me and tried to make the lesson interesting. The lesson itself was not good, though. The horse I was riding was soooooooooooo lasy and did not want to move forward. I'm a really experienced rider and also have ridden stubborn slow horses before but this horse was exceptional. It did not even walk faster when I used the whip which I hate to do. The instructor did not really correct much, I figured out that he is just riding since 5 years, so less long than I do. Inbetween the lesson, the horse was changed (I did not get an answer to the question why that was the case he just said that it would be nice for me to try another horse, too), but the second horse was also super super bored and didn't want to work. So it was not much fun for me and for the horse neither I think this place might be nice for children who want to have some fun and to go on a trek. It's not got if you try to improve your riding skills you won't learn anything and will get full of mudd instead. Also, since the horses are not cared for well, I would recommend going to another place which cares about animal welfare. read more

Bought a riding day experience for my daughter and her friend and both were really looking forward to the day. Firstly they started an hour late and seemed very disorganised not sure where the staff were, if they had the right horses for the group, etc. i stayed to talk to the manager about the days events as the stable girl couldnt tell me what they were meant to be doing. Manager gave me a brief description of the day and left. When I picked the girls up at the end their faces said it all. Dissapointment. They only had approx. 20min ride out of a day that was advertised to offer 2-3 riding opportunities (a day being 9.30am till 4.30pm). They spent most of their time in the stable block with a handful of teenagers/twenty something girls looking after them giving vague instructions on grooming while they gossiped (as my daughter described it). Alternatively they were given simple quizzes and colouring in to do (not what a 9yr old wants). No adult/manager was available at the end of the day to speak to about my daughters disappointment. Overall very poor. read more

sorry I cannot remember your namesWent to Mill Farm with Carly Katie and Sue Monday 4-3-13, Well what an experience this was! prior to setting off on our trek with Josh we were able to take a walk around the stables and meet and find out about some of the beautiful horses. The staff were very sociable and hard working and accommodating with the volume of questions we all asked. We then met Helen the owner of the school and before we knew it we were taking instruction and safety awareness guidance from Josh. We all had the pleasure of riding Clydesdale Horses and mine was name Paddy. To sum arise the experience as a complete beginner, all four of us were like wild females out running free and having Great fun, excellent experience, Staff have great humor, Horses well cared for highly recommend that you try this. We have some cool pictures to remind us of our time at Mill Farm. Thanks everyone, Helen, Josh, & the lady who owns the yellow car and the range rover (sorry I cannot remember your names) Best wishes Marie Carly Katie and Sue the pensioner. read more

I booked two places through groupon for 90 minute trek. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience with lovely well cared for horses. We were in a group of 6 and three of us had ridden before and the other three were beginners. Care was taken to ensure all levels were catered for and we had opted for a beginners trek as it was a long time since we had ridden we were given the opportunity to trot and canter short distances which was appropriate for our level of skill, while two beginners were lead all the way by very patient staff. Do be aware the first place you arrive at is not the actually place you go to get on the horses and there is quite a rocky drive to arrive at the farm, however, you will not be disappointed. The countryside is beautiful and the tracks are ideal for horse riding. We are now booking our next groupon voucher for another 90 minute trek. The cost through groupon was extremely reasonable for 90 minutes trek. Car parking is in the farm yard so there is plenty of space. Joyce Commins read more

I bought a 90min trek for my sister and myself from groupon. On arrival it was abit dis-organised not much info given and a lot of waiting around. Eventually we were told to get back in our cars to follow a big orange van to another site. On arrival to the stables after an off road driving experience we were greeted by very friendly staff. We were booked on the advanced ride but hadn't rode for some time, we were immediately put at ease and over an hr later than booked we were on our horses and off. Considering it didn't get off to a great start it was the best riding experience I've ever had and will absolutely be returning. Ben and Ruth were really good guides (thanks guys) the scenery was beautiful and terrain was fabulous for a galloping experience. I would recommend this place and will be returning again in the future. read more

went todaexperience.y with 3 others to the riding school-it was a groupon experience! Firstly let me say how friendly and helpful ALL the staff were especially the owners who made us feel very relaxed. This was important as three of us hadent been on a horse for years so felt rather nervous about it all. There really was no need to be as Ruth who sorted out which rider rode which horse was in complete control and thius meant each rider was suited to the mount they were given. Anyone thinking of going to this riding school will be VERY IMPRESSED with everything there. I give it 10 out of 10 on every aspect. WELL DONE to you all for making this a special day not to be forgotten, Brenda Sexton and friends from BOLTON Lancs read more

Avoid! Given 1 star as there was not a lower option! We booked a session here and when we went we were running a couple of mins late due to the heavy traffic - we rang to tell them this only to be told the ride had gone five minutes ago (even though we weren't even actually late at that point!). We were told they couldn't hang around as people were impatient. Too long to go into here but basically the most unprofessional riding establishment we've ever come across. We were told to rearrange but to be honest we were more than put off by the whole experience so preferred to lose our money! read more

I bought a groupon and they never actually provided the service. I booked and turned up only to be turned away due to others not turning up. After months or trying to rebook I eventually reported them to Groupon AND Trading Standards they are nothing more than modern day thieves. Im not alone either. My friend and her daughter couldn't get booked in and had the same problem that I had. I would avoid at all cost. There are a few riding and trekking centres close by that cost a little more but you get a really good ride. read more

I went to mill farm riding school on sunday with my daughter in law and had a lovely time they were all very friendly and welcoming the horses were gorgeous and as a beginner they made me feel very confident on the one and a half hour trek nothing was too much trouble for Ruth Josh and Leah who were supportive on the whole ride at 47 i think i may have found a new hobby and cant wait to go again a bonus too is they offer lots of different rides at very reasonable prices the best ive found up to date! read more

Fantastic riding school, staff were professional and friendly. Horses looked well cared for and were well behaved in the stable and when being rode. I had a brilliant trek in a lovely area, the facilities at the trekking centre were good and the staff were reassuring. I would definitely recommend the riding school to all levels of riders! read more