There is nothing quite like a long gallop on the beach. Abigail Flanagan picks five of the best beach rides.

Discover the coastline on horseback:

Cornish Riding Holidays, Redruth, Cornwall

Rides for all levels on glorious Gwithian and Godrevy beaches. Plus there’s a chance you’ll spot Godrevy’s resident seal population, too.

£70 for a half-day ride (01209 211852, cornish-riding-holidays.co.uk).
North Devon Riding Holidays, Croyde, North Devon

Confident canterer? Ride out along Putsborough’s sands. Expect fast canters, paddles, maybe even a swim, before heading home through the dunes.

£60 out of season, rising to £65 in high season, for approx 2 hours (01271 890898).
Nolton Stables, Nolton, Pembrokeshire

With the cliffs, rocks and sands of Druidston Haven a short hack away, even four-year-olds on lead-reins can paddle a pony here. Meanwhile, happy canterers can enjoy the mile-long shoreline.

£52.50 for a 1.5-hour ride (01437 710360, noltonstables.com).
Kimmerston Riding Centre, Wooler, Northumberland

Head to Holy Island for miles of wild shoreline, seal spotting and, for the brave, bareback swims in the icy North Sea. Riders should be able to canter, but slightly less-experienced riders can be accommodated.

Adults: £100 for a two-hour ride; children: £80 (01668 216283, kimmerston.com).
Ayrshire Equitation Centre, Ayr

Get the best of both worlds on this tow-and-a-half–hour ride through Rozelle Country Park to Ayr beach, for cracking canters and paddles as well as a play in the dunes. Riders must be confident canterers.

£60 (01292 266267, ayrshireequitationcentre.co.uk).

If you’re searching for fun for the whole family, and you’re not wanting to leave behind your beloved pooch, try out these dog-friendly hotels in Cornwall.

5 of the best beach rides

Cornish Riding Holidays, Redruth, Cornwall

North Devon Riding Holidays, Croyde, North Devon

Nolton Stables, Nolton, Pembrokeshire

Kimmerston Riding Centre, Wooler, Northumberland

Ayrshire Equitation Centre, Ayr