General Info

Enjoy riding strong Welsh Cobs through the countryside, mountains and to a local pub in Wales with Caeiago Riding Centre, which has been family owned and run since 1968. This small, British Horse Society approved riding center specializes in adult riding holidays. Its location on the edge of the beautiful Cambrian Mountains in the heart of rural Wales allows for spectacular rides and varied wildlife. Old Roman roads and ancient drovers tracks take riders past clear mountain streams as they bubble down wild, natural hills into shady valleys.

This weeklong adventure takes riders on daily rides into the countryside, as well as sight visits to Carreg Cennen, one of the most photographed castles in Wales, old Roman Gold Mines, a Welsh Cob Stud Farm and more. Your hosts, Roddy and Lesley, will invite you to learn more about Wales and talk about your day riding, as they eat with you in the evenings in their family home, which they open to guests. You’ll stay in Lesley’s late Victorian farmhouse or the new block of accommodations. Lesley works hard running the house and kitchen, and once in a while also leads rides. She loves to cook and enjoys producing the sort of homemade cakes and meals few people have time to prepare for themselves these days.

The rides are run in a very relaxed manner. On day rides, you’ll cover a good bit of ground and enjoy lunch on the trails. One day, you’ll even ride to the local pub! There is a fully qualified leader and an assistant on rides who are there to help and encourage you throughout. The main leaders are Roddy and Charlie (Lesley's dad), who you may meet in the corresponding video (click video above). They also have three other fully qualified leaders. Caeiago encourages everyone to be part of the family.

Riding Vacation
7 Days/ 6 Nights Riding and Sightseeing Pacakge (5 days of riding)

Awards & Accolades
British horse Society Approved
Member of Visit Wales, Welsh National Tourist Board
Carmarthenshire Tourist Association
Welsh Trekking and Riding Association
Featured on Equitrekking Wales episode, part of Equitrekking fourth season on Public Television. Darley rides horses with Charlie, whose daughter Lesley owns and runs Caeiago.

 

Packing

Please see Equitrekking Travel's General Packing Suggestions.

Packing Suggestions for this trip:
Suitable riding wear and footwear, an approved riding hat (Caeiago has a selection that you are welcome to borrow ), waterproof coat and pants.
 

About the Horses

Approximately 26 Welsh Cobs and Welsh Cob Crosses that are friendly and forward going. At Caeiago, they have a rotation system for the horses whereby they work no more than three consecutive days at a time. Everyday the horses come in to be brushed off and checked and fed when appropriate, whether they are being ridden or not. During the period Caeiago is closed, the horses have all of their shoes taken off and are sent to graze near the coast for a holiday.

Activities/Events

This weeklong adventure takes riders on daily rides into the countryside, as well as sight visits to Carreg Cennen, one of the most photographed castles in Wales, old Roman Gold Mines, a Welsh Cob Stud Farm and a horseback ride to a local pub.

Accommodations/Food

Accommodations
Caeiago’s late Victorian farmhouse features ensuite shower rooms and tea/coffee making facilities in every bedroom. All the rooms are equipped with a hairdryer and a radio alarm clock. An iron is available. There is also a bathroom with an abundance of hot water to soak away any aches and pains. Alternatively you may fancy an aromatherapy massage, which Caeiago can arrange for you.

Caeiago features a communal dining room, comfy living room with Sky TV, magazines and games and a bookcase with reading material. There is a game room with a pool table and table tennis table and a small shop selling riding wear and local crafts and produce. Wireless internet connection throughout the farmhouse. There is a small garden at the front of the house.

Food
A full English breakfast, a packed lunch, afternoon tea and a two course evening meal is included in your stay.

Breakfast is a choice of different types of eggs, cereals, bacon, sausages, fried potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, fried bread, toast, sausages, orange juice and a variety of teas and coffee.

A packed lunch consists of a round of sandwiches with different fillings, chips, an apple, a chocolate dessert and a carton of juice.

Afternoon tea consists of two different treats each day, most of which is homemade, for example scones and cake or toasted tea cakes and cookies or toasted crumpets and cake.

Dinner consists of a main course of meat with two vegetables and potatoes all freshly prepared, as well as dessert. The main course might by Steak and Ale pie, Roast lamb, Cottage pie, Chicken in a mango sauce, Pork chops in a sweet and sour sauce, etc. Desserts may include lemon meringue pie, pineapple upside down cake, apple pie, kiwi and orange sponge, bread and butter pudding and more.

With prior notice, Caeiago accommodates vegetarians and other special requests.

Drinks
Alcohol is not included in the price but clients are welcome to bring their own and there is a fridge for cooling anything. Hot and cold drinks are available throughout the day.


 

The Ideal Traveler

Caeiago is popular with single travelers, couples and small groups of friends. Travelers should be fit enough for a few hours each day in the saddle and excited to see the peaceful Welsh countryside. 

7 Days Welsh Countryside

2010 Rates & Dates

7 Days Welsh Countryside- $1,674.90 USD (1119 GBP) per person*

Single supplement $449 USD (300 GBP)

Early April- late September 2010 (weeks begin on Saturdays)

*Prices may change due to currency conversions. Price includes everything from when guests arrive at Llandovery on Saturday evening until they leave Llandovery on Friday morning. The only things excluded are any meals eaten elsewhere and alcohol.

Day 1- Saturday- Arrival

Arrive Saturday in time for the evening meal at 8:00 PM at Caeiago.

Day 2- Sunday- Countyside Hack and Carreg Cennen Castle

After a 9:00 AM full English breakfast of you’ll be introduced to the horses and matched up with a mount based on your skill level. You’ll be riding Welsh cobs and cob mixes during your week at Caeiago. Enjoy a morning hack to explore the nearby countryside. After lunch at Caeiago, take an afternoon excursion to Carreg Cennen Castle, one of the most photographed castles in Wales. (approx. 45 minute drive). Spectacularly perched on a sharp hilltop, overlooking the Welsh countryside, Carreg Cennen Castle dates back to the 13th century and is one of Britain’s most spectacular castles. Make sure to grab a torch (flashlight) from the café at the bottom before you head up to the castle. There are some dark corridors to explore! If there’s time, you’ll also visit Talley Abbey, a beautiful old monastery of the order of the White Canons, a Catholic order founded in 1120. Dinner tonight is at Caeiago.

Day 3 – Monday- Lake Ride

After a big English breakfast, ride up to Llyn Y Gwaith Lake via the Sarn Helen and Clywedog Forestry, stopping to have lunch by the lakeside.
 After lunch, ride down through the Twrch valley and back to Caeiago. 
This ride does get done the opposite way around on occasions too! In the late afternoon, visit the nearby Roman Goldmines, an ancient monument also known as Dolaucothi or Ogofau Gold Mine, set among the wooded hillside in Carmarthensire. Depending on the time of year, you may take an underground tour, learn about the advanced use of technology the Romans used to mine here and perhaps try your luck panning for gold.

Day 4 – Tuesday- Farm Ride

Today’s Farm Ride takes you up over the hills above the village of Ffaldybrenin, riding over Blaennant farm. You’ll ride into the Twrch valley and up the side of Craig Twrch stopping at the mountain hitching rail for lunch. The afternoon ride leads further down the Sarn Helen Road and into the Clywedog Forestry before heading down the mountain and back to Caeiago. Afternoon tea and snacks available. After tea you are welcome to brush your horses, relax or take a walk in the area or perhaps visit to a local town. Free time until dinner. 8:00 PM – Dinner at Caeiago.

Day 5 –Wednesday- Riding and Stud Visit

After your big English breakfast, head out for a morning of horseback riding. Lunch will be served back at Caeiago, before your late afternoon visit to Derwen International Welsh Cob Centre, a stud farm where world-class Welsh Cobs are bred by the Llyod family. Tour the small museum at the stud and see the horses. If there’s time, visit the seaside town of Aberaeron en route back to Caeiago for dinner.

Day 6 – Thursday- Pub Ride

Starting out after breakfast, you’ll ride through the small village of Ffarmers and then over the Cothi Valley via forestry tracks and grassy lanes. You’ll reach the village of Caio where you’ll tie up your horses at the hitching rail behind the Brunant Arms Pub, a friendly local’s pub. Lunch at the Pub, followed by a ride through the edge of the Dolaucothi Roman Gold mines, where prior to the 4th century, the Romans mined gold. You’ll head towards home along a lower part of the Cothi Valley.

Farewell dinner at Caeiago.

Day 7 – Friday- Depart

Say good-bye to your horses and new friends.

* Please note that this itinerary is flexible and subject to changes and revisions based on the weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

Related Blog Posts

Welsh Cob Stud Farm

Ifor Lloyd’s family has been breeding Welsh Cobs for generations. We visited his stud farm, Derwen International Welsh Cob Centre in Ceredigion. There is a nice museum with old photos of his family’s endeavors, as well as artifacts that tell the story of the Welsh Cob’s evolution. Ifor had some… Read more »

Wales Carreg Cennen Castle

Today we visited one of the most photographed castles in Wales, Carreg Cennen. This fortress sits on a high limestone cliff, overlooking the area farms. The views of the lush, green countryside are beautiful. It is an imposing spot for a castle. I decided to take my torch (British speak… Read more »

Welsh Countryside Ride

Today I headed out on a Welsh Cob named Seren with Charlie Pollak, a long-time trekker, who has been leading riders in this rural section of West Wales for over 35 years. Charlie rode Top Gun. I was in for some great stories and scenery during my ride with Charlie.… Read more »

Traveler Reviews

 

Les & Roddy,

There's no way that we can put into words to say what a GREAT & ENJOYABLE time we had with all of you. 

-- Craig, Nancy, & Cooky, Ohio

Thank you very much for your hospitality and giving us the opportunity to ride such fantastic horses in such amazing countryside. We will be back!

-- Carol and Mary

Thank you so much for a fabulous few days last week. I've just felt so relaxed and smiley, my face aches almost as much as my backside

-- Kath

Just wanted to thank you from us all for just the most perfect weekend - the fact that we are all hobbling about today has nothing to do with you but more the fact that we are all rather unfit! I would like to congratulate you on a most professional business that is balanced to offer a happy relaxed family environment whilst still maintaining the tight structure required to run effectively. The wonderfully steady and kind horses are a reflection of a caring attitude that pervades the farm and everyone involved in the business. Thank you once again for the brilliantly refreshing and fun time that we had.

-- Vivienne

What a brilliant time we had. The horses and food were fantastic and you were all so friendly, it was like a home from home. We didn't want to come back. We miss you all very much and can't wait to see you all again. Words can not express what a great family you all are. Thanks once again

-- Paulene and Lesley

When life is getting you down, there ia nothing better than to be with horses,amongst great people and with wine in your hand by 6pm!!! Thanks to everyone for making our stay so very special.

-- Karen, Debra and Alison

Reading List

General Guidebook

The Rough Guide to Wales 6 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) (Paperback) by Catherine Neves, Paul Whitefield, Mike Parker
The Rough Guide to Wales is the ultimate travel guide with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best attractions in Wales. Discover the vibrant regions of Wales from the world-famous Valleys and Welsh male voice choirs to the trendy bars of Cardiff Bay. With the clearest maps of Wales and useful Welsh language section, this Rough Guide will take you to the very best attractions Wales has to offer.

Welsh Cobs

Cobiau Campus Cymru / Winning Welsh Cobs (English and Welsh Edition) (Paperback) by Ifor Lloyd and Myfanwy Lloyd
The Derwen name is synonymous with outstanding Welsh cobs - not least those famous winners of the Prince of Wales Cup. On thirteen momentous occasions, the Prince of Wales Cup was awarded to the outstanding horses featured in this book, and the owners are rightly proud of this unbeaten record. Photographs, pedigree information and comments from eminent breeders and horselovers make this a book to treasure.

* You’ll be visiting this stud farm and their small museum as part of your tour and if you are lucky Ifor or Myfanwy will be there to meet you. This book is in English and Welsh. Look for it on this link to Amazon. It's not always available, and if you can’t get it in the U.S., you may be able to get a copy in Wales.

History

A History of Wales (Paperback) by John Davies
Booklist Review-- Davies, a teacher in Cardiff, has not only taken cognizance of, and fluidly applied, the new tools history avails itself of--such as economics and archaeology--he first wrote his history in Welsh. His tremendous exertion was something new that the readers of Wales recognized, and they made it a best-seller there. Davies unearths the evidence of prehistoric hill forts and Roman ruins; he delineates the feudal wars, the 1536 union with England and the ensuing Reformation; and he explains the transformations of the Industrial Revolution. Accurate in all details, using meaningful modern maps, balanced where doubts exist, this impressive history could be criticized as a labor of patriotic love, if not for the visibly high professional standard to which Davies adheres. Nothing even remotely as accomplished has been written about Wales since 1950. And, for a few future decades, don't expect a vessel this sturdy to pass by.

Wales: An Illustrated History (Hippocrene Illustrated Histories) (Paperback) by Henry Weisser
Thousands of people visit Wales each year and countless people all over the world are descendants, at least in part, from this small, beautiful part of the British Isles. Yet how many know the history that has made Wales and the Welsh people what they are today? Here is a clear, objective treatment by an American professor of history who has been keenly interested in Wales for many years. The book traces the key forces and developments through all the centuries of the country's history. Although Welsh history is complex and the strong nationalism it has generated among some Welsh people causes controversy, this book presents a balanced, unbiased account. Also includes history on the diverse nature of contemporary Wales.

Equitrekking Coffee Table Companion Book & DVD's

Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at ShopDarley.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.   

Equitrekking: Season 1-4 DVD sets featuring Emmy winning PBS episodes, including season four’s Wales episode featuring riding at in the Cambrian Mountains with Caeiago and a visit to the Derwen International Welsh Cob Stud Farm with Ifor Lloyd available at ShopDarley.com

Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman with Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on PBS. 

Season One: Vermont, the Carolinas, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.

Season Two: Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.

Season Three: Arizona, Belize, Costa Rica, Kentucky, Quebec, Texas and Utah.

Season Four: Southern Spain, Alaska, Central Turkey, Quebec City and Beyond, Scotland and Wales.

  

Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse:  evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.                                                           

Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.

The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.