The arena is where the schooling happens — but a hack is where horses relax, build fitness and remember that work can be fun. Nazeing sits on the edge of some lovely riding country, from the open common above the village to the ancient rides of Epping Forest. Here are the routes riders from the yard enjoy, with a little history, and how to stay safe on the roads in between.
Before you go: know your rights of way
Horses are allowed on bridleways and byways — look for the blue arrows — but not on footpaths, which are marked with yellow arrows and are for walkers only. Paths shared with walkers and cyclists need patience and a friendly hello. If in doubt, Essex County Council’s online rights of way map shows every public path.
1. Nazeing Common
- Where: the high, open ground north of the village, about a mile from the yard as the crow flies.
- The ride: bridleways and byways around the edge of the common, with big skies and views west over the Lee Valley. Loops of a few miles are easy to put together.
- History: Nazeingwood Common was once part of the ancient Waltham Forest, cleared for grazing in the 13th century and ploughed for crops in the Second World War — when it was also home to a decoy airfield built to fool enemy bombers. Unusually, its land is held by the commoners themselves.
- Watch for: some sections are boggy in winter, and parts of the common are footpath only — follow the blue arrows.
2. Epping Long Green
- Where: by Epping Green, about two miles east of the yard.
- The ride: a broad, grassy bridleway of around a mile and a half running between old hedges to the fields above Nazeing Common — a lovely, steady stretch.
- History: Long Green is an old green lane, and an information board at its start marks it as part of Epping Forest, cared for by the City of London. Check whether Forest licence rules apply before you ride it.
3. The Epping Uplands
- Where: the hills between Epping Green and Waltham Abbey, around three miles from the yard.
- The ride: old bridle paths such as Green Lane and Thompson’s Lane climb to some of the best views in the area — on a clear day you can see across to London.
- Watch for: hills and mud in winter; these are routes for fit horses and confident riders.
4. Epping Forest
- Where: four to five miles south of the yard — most riders box over and park up.
- The ride: more than 20 miles of surfaced horse rides and 25 miles of unsurfaced tracks through ancient woodland: the best riding for miles around.
- History: a former royal forest, saved for the public in 1878 and still cared for by the City of London. The Epping Forest Riders Association has looked after riders’ interests since 1962.
- You need a licence: every horse ridden in the Forest must carry a licence disc on the left side of the bridle, and riding without one can mean a fine. From April 2026 an adult annual licence is £75.07, a junior (under 16) licence £36.70, and there are weekly and daily licences too. Apply through the City of London.
The paths of the Lee Valley Regional Park next to the yard are mostly for walkers and cyclists, so keep to signed bridleways there.
Safety on the roads
Most hacks start and finish on a road, and Nazeing’s lanes can be busy and fast. In 2024 the British Horse Society recorded 58 horses killed and 97 injured on Britain’s roads — most often because drivers passed too close or too fast. A little preparation makes a big difference.
- Be seen. Wear hi-vis for you and your horse, in daylight as well as in poor light.
- Wear the right kit. A hat to current safety standards and proper boots; by law, riders under 14 must wear a fastened riding hat on the road.
- Ride single file on narrow or busy roads and round bends, and never more than two abreast.
- Choose your timing. Avoid the school run and rush hour, and keep road sections as short as possible.
- Ride in company if your horse is nervous of traffic, with a calm horse between it and the cars.
- Signal clearly and say thank you — courteous drivers are more likely to stay courteous.
- Tell someone your route and when you’ll be back, and carry a charged phone.
- Report incidents — even near misses — through the BHS Horse i app. It helps make the case for safer roads.
For drivers: since 2022 the Highway Code (Rule 215) says to slow to a maximum of 10mph when you see a horse, be patient, don’t sound your horn or rev your engine, and pass wide and slow — at least two metres — when it’s safe. Share this with the non-riders in your life.
The BHS Ride Safe Award, recommended in the Highway Code, is a great way to build confidence on the roads — and a hack is the perfect reward after a coaching session with Nikki.
Nikki Ward · Pentonville Lodge
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