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Hylands Horses & Carriage Rides

The Hylands Horses have been resident at Hylands Estate since 2008 to fulfil Chelmsford City Council’s ambition of having working horses on the Estate. Joe, a shire horse, and Roy and Falcon, who are Suffolk Punches, are owned and cared for by Hawthorn Heavy Horses. The horses help manage the park in an environmentally sensitive way, specialising in woodland management and timber extraction. Firewood that the horses collect as part of their work can be purchased from The Stables Information Point. There are a number of activities planned throughout the year to enable visitors to interact with the horses.

Public Carriage Rides

During Hylands Open Estate Days and throughout the summer months, the Hylands Horses offer carriage rides for the public. Rides last approximately 10 minutes and cost £4 per person. With no need to book in advance this activity is a fantastic addition to a family day out in the Estate.

Find out more about the Open Estate Day carriage rides on the Hawthorn Heavy Horses website.

Starting in July, you can meet the carriage at the Adventure Castle play area and experience the joy of travelling by horse and cart. No need to book, just turn up! View the carriage rides summer schedule.

Hawthorn Heavy Horses carriage ride.

Experience Days

Spend the day with the Hylands Horses to experience what it is like to work with such magnificent animals. Offering monthly workshops in either carriage driving or horse logging, there are opportunities to learn about the many aspects of how the horses work on the Estate.

No previous experience is necessary, and with only four attendees on each course, there is plenty of hands-on time. Days begin with meeting the horses, before grooming, harnessing and preparing them for work. With an introduction to rein and voice commands and a demonstration of the task at hand, the reins are handed over. The full schedule of workshops and booking details can be found on the Hawthorn Heavy Horses dedicated website.

Private Events

The Hylands Horses provide the perfect addition to any event taking place at Hylands Estate, whether it be a wedding, Prom, birthday or anniversary celebration. The horse-drawn carriage can be booked for making that grand entrance or for a private romantic ride through the Estate, providing the ideal opportunity for some memorable photographs.

The group carriage is perfect for the bride’s entourage or family members to make their arrival. The carriage can also run regular rides throughout an event to add that touch of individuality and excitement. Prices begin at £390.00.

The Hawthorn Heavy Horses carriage going through Hylands Park.

Hylands Firewood

Bags of firewood logs produced by the Hylands Horses are available from Hawthorn Heavy Horses during the winter months. The logs are made from high-quality hardwood, primarily Hornbeam and Ash. These hardwood logs are produced sustainably through the coppicing efforts carried out by our horses on the Estate, aimed at preserving the valuable woodland habitats in the area.

Our fuel is not only excellent in quality but also environmentally friendly. With minimal carbon emissions during production, it stands as one of the most sustainable fuel options available in Essex. Bulk loads are also available to order. Visit the Hawthorn Heavy Horses website for more information.