Iffin Equestrian

Woodland hacking

Local hacking

You may find it hard to believe that Iffin Equestrian is so close to Canterbury City Centre but offers wonderful and varied hacking.

Set on chalk downs it is not far from a number of accessible woodlands such as Larkey Valley wood which lies on the hillside above the Stour Valley. The 107 acres (43 hectares) of woodland are remains of a much larger forest and most of this site has been continuously covered with woodland since mediaeval times or longer, and is described as Ancient Woodland.

The importance of Ancient Woodland is that the plants and animals, including those living in the soil, have co-existed and evolved together since the wood first developed. Ancestors of today's wealth of trees, flowers, birds, insects and mammals may have lived together on this same site 500 or more years ago. Therefore this site is an important reservoir of wildlife and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Also nearby are many bridle-routes around Lower Hardes. The land at Street End Farms is in Defra’s Countryside Stewardship Scheme. The aim of the Scheme is to improve the natural beauty and diversity of the countryside through a 10 year agreement with the farmer where many of the field margins can be used for riding.