The Kent Hounds, incorporating The East Kent, Ashford Valley, West Street & Tickham hunts, has hunted hounds in East Kent for over 200 years.
Since the 2004 Hunting Act, we have laid artificial trails for hounds to follow, so that we may maintain a pack of hounds and continue the tradition of riding to hounds.
For many, the pleasure of riding to hounds is in the opportunity to ride across the some of the most beautiful and unspoilt parts of south east countryside.
We're fortunate to be able to enjoy everything from the hilly and wooded North Downs to the low-lying Romney Marshes.
It's also a hugely social activity, attracting people from all walks of life and you're guaranteed to make life-long friends.
However, nothing can beat the thrill of watching hounds in their element, working as a pack to find a scent, hearing their cry as they pick up the line and fly across country as one.
"Nothing can beat the thrill of watching hounds in their element"
We welcome all visitors and newcomers, so if you'd like to come trail hunting with us, you can sign up to a newcomer trial day below.
If you've been hunting with us in the past and want to come out again, then subscribe online here, we have lots of subscription options, including ‘pay as you go’, so that you can get access to our meet information and book online.
If you’re completely new to hunting, you may have some questions or concerns. Please do get in touch as we'd love to help put your mind at rest.
Our newcomer and taster days are designed to ease you in, but we're not a fast and furious pack and nor do we have big-hedge country. Generally we split the field into jumping and non-jumping, so there's something for everyone.
We do however ask that you’re a competent rider and that you have third party insurance, such as that offered with membership to the Countryside Alliance.
If you're unsure about what to wear and worried about breaking some obscure, unwritten rule; fear not. We're not on ceremony, we're out to have fun and enjoy ourselves.
However, it's worth checking out our guide to hunting etiquette as it will help to answer any concerns.
If you’re ready to get started trail hunting, sign up to a newcomer trial day below.
Select the adult or young rider option below and once you have submitted your payment, you will receive email confirmation including your account log in credentials. Keep these safe as you will need to be able to log in to manage your account as well as access the newcomer trial days on the event calendar.
We will review your application and send you all the required information about booking a newcomer trial day by email. We usually hold one or two newcomer days a month and ask that you use your day within a couple of months (within reason).
Once you’ve had your trial newcomer day, if you’d like to come again, speak to one of the joint masters or secretaries who will let you know how to join up.
If you've already spoken with a Master, Secretary or Hunt Official and have been invited to attend a specific day, you can instead just pay your cap/riding money online here.
