Horseman’s Sunday 2025

Join us for a community gathering on St Martha’s Hill with an optional short service by Vicar Oakden of St Martha’s Church.

This event gives local horse riders the opportunity to ride their mounts to St Martha’s Church, where there will be an optional blessing of the horses promptly at 2pm. A diverse array of riders, horses and ponies take part, with the treat of enjoying the perfect view atop St Martha’s Hill.

Walkers, cyclists and dogs on leads are all welcome to attend! We ask all our countryside users to share with care, and we’ll be joined by some of our partner organisations who will be on hand with information and stalls to help empower your countryside visits.

The event is FREE but if you are a rider, please register your details so we know how many people with their horses will be attending. If you are spectating on foot, you do not need to book a ticket.

There will be a collection on the day for St Martha’s Church and the Surrey Hills Society who deliver important conservation and access projects for people and nature.

What3Words address for the church – ///dozed.breath.chimp

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Parking and arrival

Travel and parking to the event is the responsibility of the attendees. However, for those using horse transport, and seeking a good hack in conjunction with the service, we recommend the Roman Temple Car Park on Farley Green GU5 9ER.

This route offers riding on sandy tracks across Blackheath, then a bridleway to Lockner Farm, where there is one road to cross before starting the ascent to the church which is visible on the top of the ridge (footpath 250 or bridleway 248). Allow 1.5 hours approximately for this ride, if walking, trotting and cantering. For this occasion, riders may take the footpath right up to the church, rather than using the bridleways that skirt around it.

The service will start promptly at 2pm so please allow for enough travel time.

Event outline

When you arrive at the event, you’ll be greeted by foot and mounted marshals.

1.30pm Join us and our partner organisations up at the top of the hill and take in some views. There will be tea and cake on offer in return for a kind donation towards Parish of Chilworth Churches of St Martha’s and St Thomas and Surrey Hills

2pm The service is short, so that horses don’t become restless.

All pedestrians, spectators, with dogs on leads will be guided to view from inside the cemetery walls, from where the service will be conducted.

There will be a welcome, a prayer, and a poem, before the vicar visits each horse and rider in turn, to give the blessing.

There is no fee but there will be a collection taken at the event, which riders will be encouraged to support; at the close, participating riders will receive a rosette, before dispersing.

We invite spectators to enjoy the service, church grounds and spectacular views.

Important event information

– Water for horses will be available

– We highly recommend high visibility safety clothing

– This event has restricted capacity, so please book in advance if bringing your horse.

– Please be aware of other users in the area and share our countryside with care.

– Further information for riders will be emailed a few days prior to the event, please keep an eye out for this.

– This event may be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions

– Please note this event will be photographed and videoed

Find out more about riding in the Surrey Hills here.

The event is FREE but if you are a rider, please register your details so we know how many people with their horses will be attending. If you are spectating on foot, you do not need to book a ticket.