CHESHIRE’S horse riding holidays are taking the country by storm as tour operators sell out of summer packages.

The Cheshire plains are drawing in equestrian enthusiasts and rural businesses are making the most of the demand for holidays.

Duddon-based tour operator Equestrian Escapes has seen a huge increase in demand and is selling Cheshire riding holidays to people all over the world.

Managing director Sarah Caplan said: “We have sold out in August, everything is booked up.

“We are getting people from all over the UK but also quite a few customers from abroad, families from the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and we have had a gentleman from Saudi Arabia.”

Sarah said the boom is partly due to the recession as people are choosing to holiday in the UK rather than abroad but also because they are changing the way they holiday.

“Many no longer want to bake themselves on the beach on holiday – they want to do something healthy.”

She added: “We get a whole range of people, families, single people and friends.”

Equestrian Escapes works with businesses, offering a variety of packages.

Most recent additions include horse and chocolate holidays where visitors get the chance to do horse riding but also the chance to visit the Old Fire Station Chocolate Shop in Tarporley.

Visit Chester and Cheshire are confident events such as the Bolesworth Classic Showjumping event, Arley Horse Trials and the Masters Showjumping at Chester Racecourse mean Cheshire is becoming an increasingly popular equestrian getaway.

Nicola Said, head of marketing, said: “We have been working to draw out the unique tourism experiences in Cheshire and the equestrian thematic has proven to be incredibly strong.

“Visitors to the destination are searching for new experiences and ‘learn to’ holidays – Equestrian Escapes have capitalised on the strong product offering in the region, catering towards the consumer demand.”