Date: August 2024
We recently completed a significant equestrian groundworks project for a new facility in Cobham, Surrey. The scope covered everything from site levelling and excavation through to horse arena foundations, stable block concrete bases and a comprehensive equestrian drainage system. Groundworks in Cobham, Surrey demand an understanding of local ground conditions, planning requirements and the specific needs of equestrian clients — and this project was a great example of what MJM Groundworks delivers.
What the Facility Needed
The client was building a complete equestrian facility on a greenfield plot just outside Cobham. The brief included a 40m x 20m covered riding arena, a four-stable block with tack room and feed store, and a new gravel access road connecting the facility to the public highway. Each element required different groundwork solutions — from horse arena foundations engineered for heavy use, to hardstanding for the yard area and a carefully designed drainage network to keep the entire site usable year-round. As an experienced equestrian groundworks contractor, we were able to advise on the best approach for each element and deliver the whole package under one contract.
Ground Levelling and Preparation
The site had a noticeable slope of around 1.5m across the arena footprint, which needed to be addressed before any building work could begin. Our team carried out a cut-and-fill operation using a 14-tonne excavator and compaction rollers to create level platforms for the stable block and arena. This involved stripping the topsoil, excavating the high side and redistributing material to build up the low side, then compacting in 150mm layers to achieve a stable formation. Getting the levels right at this stage is essential — especially for an arena surface, where even small undulations of 10-15mm can affect performance and safety for horses and riders. We used a laser level throughout to maintain accuracy across the full 800-square-metre arena footprint.
Equestrian Drainage: The Key to Year-Round Use
Effective drainage is arguably the single most important element of any equestrian facility. Poor equestrian drainage in Cobham or anywhere in Surrey leads to waterlogged paddocks, muddy yards, standing water in stables and arenas that become unusable for months at a time. We installed a comprehensive drainage scheme designed to handle both the high water table common in this part of Surrey and the surface water generated by the large roof areas. The system included perimeter French drains around the arena filled with clean 20mm gravel, 150mm surface water channels across the yard area with grated tops for easy cleaning, and connections to a large attenuation crate system sized to manage run-off in compliance with the local planning conditions set by Elmbridge Borough Council.
Inside the stable block, we fitted stainless steel channel drains to each stable, connected to a sealed foul drainage system with a collection tank for wash-down water. This is a requirement for equestrian facilities where animal waste needs to be managed responsibly. The access road was also cambered and fitted with gravel-filled interceptor drains on both sides to prevent water from pooling on the surface and causing erosion.
Concrete Bases for the Stable Block and Buildings
We poured reinforced concrete bases for the stable block, tack room and feed store. Each base was 150mm thick with A193 steel mesh reinforcement, laid on 150mm of compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base and a damp-proof membrane. The surface was power-floated to a smooth finish and scored with anti-slip grooves in the stable areas — important for horses standing on concrete, particularly when the floor is wet. The bases were finished to tight tolerances so the prefabricated timber-framed buildings could be erected on top without any shimming or adjustment.
The horse arena foundations were constructed differently. We laid a 200mm compacted stone sub-base with a geo-textile separation membrane to prevent the sub-base mixing with the underlying clay. On top of this we placed a 75mm layer of free-draining aggregate, designed to support the specialist equestrian surface material that the arena supplier would install. The key with arena foundations is creating a surface that is both firm enough to ride on and permeable enough to drain quickly after rain.
Surface Water Management and Access Road
Beyond the main buildings and arena, we also constructed a 120-metre gravel access road from the highway entrance to the yard. The road was built on a geotextile base with 300mm of compacted stone, finished with a golden gravel wearing course. Proper surface water management was built in from the start, with camber, side ditches and two piped culvert crossings to handle field run-off that would otherwise wash across the road during heavy rain.
Why Equestrian Projects Need Specialist Groundwork Knowledge
Equestrian groundworks are not the same as standard residential or commercial projects. The drainage demands are higher, the tolerance for uneven surfaces is lower, and the materials need to be suitable for animals — no sharp edges on channel drains, no exposed reinforcement, and surfaces that remain safe when wet. Choosing a groundworks contractor with genuine equestrian experience means fewer problems after handover and a facility that performs as it should from day one. Our groundworks in Cobham, Surrey for this client were completed over four weeks, on programme and within the agreed budget. The client commented that the drainage has performed well even during the heaviest winter rain — exactly what you need from an equestrian yard in Surrey.
If you are planning equestrian groundworks or any large rural project in Surrey, MJM Groundworks has the experience and plant to deliver. We provide drainage, concrete bases and excavation services across Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire and London. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote or call us on 01784 697317.