Things to Do

The Historic Stable Block and Shire Horse Society Centre

The historic stable block, now an officially approved Shire Horse Society Visitor Centre is home to the “Sledmere Shires”. Julie is our resident broodmare and does a fantastic job of breeding foals each year helping us rebuild the numbers of shire horses in the country. Poppy, Jim and Ethan form our driving team, they can often be seen exercising in the grounds pulling one of their many carts. Walter and William will join the driving team once they are old enough, for now they’re happy to enjoy cuddles and getting lots of rest.

Our carriage house is now home to the “Wagoners Special Reserve Museum’s” collection of carts including a traditional Wolds Wagon, horse drawn horse ambulance and a general service wagon which is currently a restoration project.

The stables have been in constant use since 1780 when they were first built and have been part of the famous racing tradition at Sledmere. Thousands of thoroughbred horses where bred here at Sledmere over the last 200 years, among the most famous are Spearmint, Mumtaz Muhal, Straitlace, Scottish Union and Lily Agnes. Sledmere has been described historically as the most important stud in Yorkshire.