England
England is the largest country in the United Kingdom, sharing land borders with Scotland and Wales. It is the country from which the English Language, the Anglican Church and English Law originated and was also the world's first industrialised nation, thanks to the Industrial Revolution. The country has a rich and fascinating history, stretching from the arrival of 'modern humans' around 35,000 years ago, and has been part of the Roman Empire, subjected to the Norman Conquest of 1066 and played a pivotal role in world history throughout the Early Modern period. It was also part of the British Empire which, at its height, was the largest in history. The Tudor period is well known for the famous characters of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I (sometimes known as the Elizabethan Era). This was also the beginning of the English Renaissance, a cultural and artistic movement which led to many wonderful works, be them literary, artistic or other. Perhaps the most famous contributor is William Shakespeare, whose birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon makes an interesting visit for both tourists and the English themselves. Other hotspots include Stone Henge, the Tower of London, Windsor Castle and of course, London itself. The capital city is one of the largest in the world.
Read more…
Today, England is a prosperous and multicultural country with one of the largest economies in the world. Its language is spoken by hundreds of millions of people across the world and it has a history of promoting education, with its two most famous universities, Oxford and Cambridge, being recognised worldwide. As well as its contributions to art, science and history, England's culture has had a significant impact across the world and the country receives many visitors each year. It is not a destination famed for its cuisine, though its food is accepted as being tasty, simple and honest. There are many highlights to English food such as the full English breakfast, roast dinner with all the trimmings or a cup of tea or pint of ale.
With a temperate climate and a rich riding culture, England is an excellent choice for a horse riding holiday. Not only does the country offer many points of interest for those fascinated by folklore, religion or history, but it possesses some beautiful and untamed areas which are an absolute joy to experience on horseback. The country includes a variety of landscapes, from rolling hills and mountainous areas in the north (the Pennines) to flatter lands in the south, such as East Anglia and the Fens. Areas of outstanding natural beauty, such as the Cotswolds, give you the feeling that you have gone back in time to a more simple and beautiful way of life. Although England has gained a reputation for its rain, it has many days of beautiful weather throughout the year and this rainfall helps to keep the landscapes verdant and a wonderful riding setting.
Areas such as Exmoor and Dartmoor are famed not only for the riding opportunities they present, but also for their hardy native ponies. England has many wonderful native species like these and others which originated here, including the world renowned Shire Horse, the Cleveland Bay and the Fell and Dales Ponies. The country has a strong riding culture with horses previously being used in battle and for agriculture and hunting. Industrialisation has since meant that horses are no longer required for such tasks in England and now they are kept for pleasure or for disciplines such as racing or fox hunting. There is a huge variety in the horses available in England as the country is a top destination for almost all disciplines and often hosts competitions and famous races. From ex-racers to friendly cobs, dinky ponies and large draft horses, there is a mount for everyone. Sports horses are often imported from Ireland and these make an excellent all rounder.