By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 13:29, Monday, 23 April 2012

Celebrity horse enthusiast Martin Clunes praised a Cumbrian equine attraction after a recent visit.

Martin Clunes

Mr Clunes, who stars as Doctor Martin Ellingham in the ITV drama Doc Martin, spent a few days at Cumbrian Heavy Horses, in the Whicham Valley, near Millom.

Last week’s visit was part of a surprise arranged by the star’s wife, Philippa, to celebrate his 50th birthday.

Mr Clunes, the president of the British Horse Society, was full of praise for the attraction, which offers horse adventures on Clydesdale and Shire horses.

He said: “I bought a couple of baby Clydesdales about 18-months ago and since then people have bombarded me with Annie’s (Annie Rose, owner) flyer, which has a picture of someone galloping along a beach on a Clydesdale.

“For ages I’ve been brandishing it to my wife saying it was my future and lo and behold, she booked a week up there as part of my 50th birthday present.

“It was absolutely fantastic.”

Mr Clunes and his wife spent three days enjoying various adventures, including a gallop along Silecroft beach.

The former Men Behaving Badly star also spent some time exploring other parts of Cumbria, even researching his family’s past.

Cumbrian Heavy Horses owner Annie Rose, said: “He is a very genuine man with a passion for horses. I rode with them for three days and we just chatted and laughed. He’s got a real empathy for the horses and he’s just a nice chap.”

First published at 11:23, Monday, 23 April 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk