brantome police horses & friends

We are fortunate enough to live within an hour of Brantome and have visited Brantome Police Horses on a number of occasions. We love it. The horses are fantastic and Roland and his family who run the sanctuary are totally dedicated to the cause.Try one of the English Cream teas if you are here in the warmer months but either way please visit, it is a MUST SEE!

I have visited the Brantome horses several times and have to say Alison and Roland always welcome you to their home. The horses are huge but very gentle and love a cuddle and a polo! The family work hard to keep the horses well fed and looked after in their retirement. All the horses have sad stories to their previous life in the police force and it is a credit to the family how they have given up their life to care for them, The tour is informative and informal followed by fantastic cream tea (all baked and prepare by Debbie and Alison). I feel the person who wrote the review below has totaly missed the point! It is a family home who have given their life to look after these magnificant animals, and any money raised goes towards their welfare.If you're in the region please visit.

This was an excellent place to visit, I am nervous of horses but I was happy to stroke these beautiful gentle giants,The visit started with a talk and side show. This raised some good points about why the UK uses horses in conflict.Then you got the opportunity to see some of the horses and to pet them which for me allayed some of my concerns,There were also some adorable donkeys and dogs.Finally there was a fantastic afternoon tea with scones, clotted cream (a rare thing in France) and home made cakes,For 10 euros per person this was well worth the visit,

Brantome Police Horses was featured in a television series regarding the number of Brits living in the region, earning it the title of Dordogneshire'. The horses have been retired from the Metropolitan and Avon and Somerset forces and are now enjoying the freedom and sanctuary of this gorgeous area of France, where they are generously cared for by the Phillips family. After a short introductory film, visitors are given a guided tour, given a full history of the horses and finally, are treated to the most scrumptious cream tea. Whilst there isn't a set entrance fee for the visitor, donations are expected and such is the respect for what the family are doing, gladly given. We are now 'Friends' of the Sanctuary and will continue to support them. Personally, I'd go back tomorrow just for that cream tea - Wow! Forgot to mention that they have a Gite for rental and an excellent gift shop.

Who would have imagined that some of the UK's police horses would retire to the Dordogne. Some are old, some have been cruelly injured, but here they ae in excellent condition on a farm in the countryside with other rescue animals including donkeys. The tour begins with an, at times, emotional film about how it all began and finishes with a Devon cream tea! In between visitors are shown the animals and can pet and pat those in the stables. Others are out in the paddocks. We are going back next year!

I stayed for a week in the wonderful gite (Ma Petite Maison Francaise) at La Grange in 2013 and have kept in touch with Alison and Roland since then because I was so moved by what they do and how hard they work for these wonderful, deserving animals. I know from their newsletters that since my visit they have worked tirelessly to provide more events and more attractions - I don't know how they find the energy! I have been unable to return this year because of moving house but am determined to go back in 2015. The animals all have fascinating histories, the setting is idyllic and the family so welcoming. I really urge anyone visiting the area, whether for a day or a stay in the gite (the proceeds from which go directly to the horses), to take the opportunity to enjoy the company of both the family, the horses and all the other animals at La Grange.

During our annual visits to France, we always try and visit the Brantome Police Horses, such is the appeal of the concept which is fairly unique. Roland and Alison Phillips and their family are excellent hosts, and their dedication is wonderful to experience. They run a happy home for police horses from the UK who have become traumatised - principally from involvements in riots and civil disorders.They run the venue as a charity and they rely on donations to help with the upkeep and welfare of the 30-plus horses in their care. As Roland points out to visitors, when Police horses retire, they don't get a pension - and all they do get is a one-way ticket to either the knacker's yard or to a good home. The Police authorities have no further interest in their welfare after they leave the Police service.Even someone who is not a 'horsey person' cannot fail to enjoy the contact with the horses who are so big, yet gentle, and they love to be stroked. Each time we visit, Roland's team have added extra facilities of which he is rightly proud - and its good to see them.In addition to the horse, you get to see dogs, cats, donkeys, goats and sheep - all of whom are part of the family.Visits are informative and friendly with questions welcome. They end with a superb Cream Tea which exceeds the quality of those usually found in the UK, and the Philips family mingle with the guests and chat to them.For an afternoon out with a difference, a visit to the venue between Brantome and Nontron, in beautiful countryside, a few kilometres north of Brantome is a recommended experience. We have become 'Friends of The Brantome Horses' and we get much pleasure from contributing towards the annual budget - which gets bigger every year with vets' bills, feed, improvements etc.Our only disappointment is that we don't have a similar place in our area which we could visit and support' An added attraction is the Gite which is rented to provide funds for the charity. If you like to wake up and see horses in the fields outside your bedroom window, thus is the place for you.Peter and Linda, Eastbourne, East Sussex

I recently made my third visit to the sanctuary and the experience has improved on each time I have visited. The "extras" that help to fund the establishment, ( such as the gift shop, the photo exhibition and the delicious cream teas), are interesting and good value but for me the chief delight is access to the horses, who seem so glad to have human contact. I'll be visiting again, without a doubt, especially when we have guests who would appreciate the video presentation.

Afternoon teas are brilliant, the setting is wonderful and the horses are gentle giants all waiting for a hug.

This stables/farm is run by the Philips family in the Dordogne, and provides a happy home for police horses from the UK who have become traumatised - principally from involvements in riots and the like.The afternoon starts with a video presentation followed by a visit to the horses (as well as dogs, cars , donkeys, goats, sheep etc. )The visit is informative and friendly. All questions are welcome and contact with the horses is encouraged - although understandably tge horses cannot be ridden.At the end of the visit a real Cream Tea is served during which the Philips family continue to answer your questions.You feel very welcome and the experience is unique.

My wife and I visited while on holiday in the area. It was really good. Roland and his family have taken on a very demanding but almost certainly very rewarding life-style. It was a humbling (and quite surreal) experience to be stood next to and hugging and feeding Polo mints to this huge but totally placid police horse that had been a TV star (for all the wrong reasons) during those awful days and nights in Tottenham during the riots of 2011. All the ex police horses and the other animals there were amazing. And as for our scones and cream tea and cakes.....well, just so yummy. Thank you so much Roland and Alison. By the way, in response to a previous reviewer who thought the visit was disorganised and not "value for money" - for goodness sake, this is an animal charity run by a family from their own home, not an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical!!!

Arrived at the picture perfect location having followed the directions from the website. We planned our visit to coincide with our wedding anniversary as my hubby was a policeman so we felt an affinity with these horses. We were warmly welcomed and the afternoon started with an informative film and talk. Even though my husband had been in the Met both of us had never really thought about how horses coped and the aftermath of having to deal with certain situations.We then went to the stables to meet the stars of the afternoon. We heard each of their stories and the affection between the horses and the people working there was evident. After spending time with these beautiful animals we went to enjoy the best cup of tea we have had since leaving the UK and the homemade cakes. So tasty my hubby had seconds of both. Roland and Alison circulated and were keen to make sure that everyone was enjoying their afternoon and to answer questions. A lovely touch was that on booking i had mentioned it was our anniversary and they came over to offer their congratulations. A special mention must go to Linsay one of the tireless volunteers who chatted and encouraged a nervous me to feed the horses some carrots.All in all this was a wonderful place to visit. I cannot wait to visit again.

Visiting Brantome Police Horses was a wonderful afternoon spent learning from Roland about the history of the police horse and the history of his and Alison's residents. It was an emotional but enlightening talk followed by meeting each horse and hearing their own story. We were warned we may get mugged if we had mints in our pockets but myself and husband escaped this fate only later willingly giving carrots to each of the horses.Following meeting the horses we enjoyed a lovely tea on the lawn with a choice of scones, jam and clotted cream or a selection of freshly baked cakes or both!There is also a little gift shop full of lovely bits to buy and take home as a reminder.The cost was a mere €10 each with all proceeds going directly to the feeding and care of the horses. A great afternoon highly recommend with a feel good factor of giving to a great charity

Very informative and there are some lovely stories about the horses. They are wonderful animalsand clearly deserve to have a long and happy retirement here with people who are passionate about them. You can see how happy and relaxed the horses are in their environment.The cream teas are to die for, a great afternoon out.

Arrived on a beautiful sunny day to a wonderful welcome from Henry the beautiful Golden Retriever and Roland and Alison. Both of whom had been working all morning. Roland cleaning stables and grooming horses ready for inspection. Alison preparing the most wonderful scones, served with clotted cream and jam, as well as chocolate cake, Victoria sponge, coffee and walnut cake and carrot cake. All served with tea and coffee by cheerful family members and volunteers. We had a very interesting and informative talk and then we met the horses. They are adorable and take your breath away. Thank goodness they have a happy home for life in this wonderful family run sanctuary. I shall be going back as often as I possibly can! Don't miss it. It's a great day out for all, young and old.