Frequently Asked Questions

The Friesian Experience was initially created to help educate visitors about the Friesian horse and the importance of understanding and maintaining the very strict studbook (KFPS) they belong to. Today we welcome visitors from across the world and from all walks of life, all wanting to spend time with Friesian horses for different reasons. We want to make spending time with the horses accessible to any and every animal lover, whether or not you have experienced them before. Horses offer a special magic for humans, and Friesians are a gentle, human-devoted breed that we feel holds a special magic open to all. You can spend time around the horses in whatever setting you're most comfortable with--grooming them, walking with them, cuddling them, overnighting with one in our Stable Stays accommodation, doing a Meet the Horses tour with one of our knowledgable team, or sharing a therapeutic session in the comfort of our Friesian Friendship Barn. We would be delighted to welcome you to the Friesian Sanctuary and make that unforgettable experience possible for you. You'll find details on each Experience in the Experiences tab on our home page. If you have a Friesian and could use guidance, or are contemplating acquiring and spending life with one, Tracey offers Custom Experiences based on her decades-long experience and expertise knowing and working with the beed. PLEASE NOTE: As of 2025, we no longer offer riding or carriage driving experiences as neither comport with putting the wellbeing of our current herd first.

ExperiencesIndividual - ideal for those who prefer a more 'one to one' experience with the freedom to do and ask what you want when you want and have the day just how you want it. Includes only you and your group. Shared - From time to time, we can put a couple of 'individuals' together on an experience (Meet the Horses Tour, e.g.) if they have visited us in the past, but we will only do this if we feel both want the same type of experience.EventsOur Events (e.g., Friesian Friendship Days or Beach Days) are necessarily shared. Our Meeting the Horses Tour can accommodate up to six people, so on any given day, depending on how many have signed up, you may have a shared experience. Same for the Yard Experience. Stable Stays and Friendship Barn Sessions, as well as any Custom Experience, will always only be your private group.

Bookings can be made up to 12 months in advance for Mondays to Thursdays. Bookings over the weekend (Friday to Sunday) can only be confirmed a maximum of 6 months in advance. We operate all year 'round subject to weather conditions; however, we do not offer Full Day Experiences from 1st Nov to 31st March due to the restrictions with light. Peak Booking Times: Weekends, Bank Holidays, May, June, July & August.We are open seven days a week but don't have daily hours open to the general public. As such, we ask that you make an appointment should you wish to visit so we can make sure someone is around to see you. See the Contact Us button on the top of the home page.

Greenbank Farm is located at the top of Aynsome Lane in Cartmel, overlooking the stunning Cartmel Valley. We are approximately one mile from the village. This is an old Lakeland farm built on rock so the ground conditions can be a little uneven in places. If the weather has been bad, we suggest you wear boots or old shoes as it can get a little muddy underfoot.If you have interest in overnight accommodations, The Farm offers several lovely spaces for booking through Greenbank Farm Holidays or Booking.com.

If you have Sat Nav, simply put in our postcode LA11 7ST and the majority of systems will bring you to our door. To find us from the M6 Motorway, exit at Junction 36 and take the A590 signposted for Barrow and follow this road for approximately 9.5 miles. At the top of Lindale Hill, take the slip road off the A590 signposted to Cartmel. At the end of the slip road, turn left and follow this road to the end. Turn left at the crossroads and continue to the end. Turn left and follow this road for approx 1⁄4 mile until you see a right turn signposted ‘Aynsome Manor Hotel’. Turn down this lane (very narrow) and at the T-junction turn right. This will take you past Aynsome Hotel. As you start to climb the hill, you will see a white farmhouse on your right. You've arrived at Greenbank Farm.

We suggest you arrive approximately 15 minutes before the time of your reservation. Come all the way up the lane until you reach the gate; parking is on your left. If you have travelled a long distance and arrive much earlier, you can head into Cartmel village where you will find a selection of places to enjoy a cup of coffee or browse through some of the unique village shops.

Our Friesians like nothing more than roadtripping to the beach, splashing in the surf with soft sand underfoot, and having playtime with their human friends.We try to fit in at least one Beach Walk every summer with a handful of tickets open to the public. Whether or not we can do these depends on weather, tides, how busy Farm life is, and of course, the horses. We lov e going to Baadsea Beach, a 40-minute drive from the Farm via horsebox. (We caan easily meet our participants there if more convenient for you).Our Event dates are announced on the What's Happening tab of our website where you can buy tickets, and on our YouTube channel and Facebook page ('The Friesian Sanctuary--Behind the Scenes"). We suggest you subscribe to our website (at the bottom of the home page) to be among the first to know when these are announced as they're very popular!Peak Times for Scheduling: Weekends, Bank Holidays, May, June, July & August

Our Friesians can be available for photoshoots of your special events in the area or on our scenic Farm. For details, please look at the Photoshoots tab under Our Experiences. For commercial photoshoots, please contact Tracey at tracey@blackhorses.co.uk to discuss.You are welcome to bring your own photographer or we can recommend the very talented local animal photographer, Sandy Kitching, who we're fortunate to have right on our doorstep. The majority of the pictures you will see across our website and social media platforms are her creations.Sandy can be booked to come and take professional images of you during your time with our Friesians for either a day or half a day. You can view a wide selection of her work at https://sandyanimalphotographer.smugmug.com. Ask us to check Sandy's availability when you book, or get in touch with her directly at sandykitching@me.com

Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for the Experience you've booked. Footwear that can withstand whatever the weather holds and will keep you steady on areas of muddy or rocky ground is advised for all the outdoor Experiences. Having a hooded, rain-repellent jacket on hand is recommended.

On arrival, please take note of the two fire assembly points located at the top and bottom yards. In the event of a fire, please make your way to the fire assembly point in the Arena which is located adjacent to the electric horse walker. If you have children traveling with you, please ensure you supervise them at all times when they are on the farm as we cannot accept liability for any accidents they may have.

We carry full Public Liability insurance with Carriage House Insurers and South Essex Insurance Brokers. However we can accept no liability for personal injury sustained whilst handling the horses. This is done so at your own risk, and you are advised to have your own personal accident insurance.

Your booking is not guaranteed unless a deposit payment has been received. You will be advised of this at the time of booking. Deposits are non-refundable and can only be transferred to an alternative date in exceptional circumstances. The balance payment is due seven (7) days before your visit. Payment can be made via any major credit card. Alternately, we can invoice and payment can be by cheque or bank transfer.

In the event of bad weather, we still go ahead with the ‘Experience’ and ask that you bring suitable wet weather clothing (after all, we are in the Lake District!).However, if weather conditions would make the experience potentially dangerous (gale force winds, ice, etc)., we are happy to reschedule to another day. Cancellations made for any other reason within 24 to 48 hours of your booking will be liable for 50% of the cost. Cancellations within 24 hours incur the full charge.

Cartmel is a very pretty traditional Lakeland village with a choice of accommodation for all tastes and budgets. A full list can be found at www.cartmelvillage.com/ or you may like to try one of our on-site accommodationss:Greenbank Farmhouse - www.greenbankfarmholidays.co.uk/ - our 7-room farmhouse sleeps up to 14 people and includes use of a Hot Tub in its private garden. .Carriage Cottage - a lovely combination of contemporary design with historic touches and modern convenences overlooking the valley; sleeps two, features a private garden. Stable Stays at Greenbank Farm - A unique accommodation where you can stay next to one of our Friesian horses for the night. For more information, check out the Stable Stays page on the Experiences tab or email www.stablestays.co.uk.

All eGift Cards and purchases from our site are valid for 12 months. PLEASE do not leave it till the 11th month to get in touch to make your booking, particularly if your card value is for a full day Experience which can only be used between March and October! As a charitable organisation, please do not put us in a difficult position by asking us to extend the card beyond this time unless it is for exceptional circumstances.