Peterhof is the palace complex that Peter the Great built on the south shore of the Gulf of Finland, and the parks around it were developed over two centuries, taking in farms, menageries and small country estates. What you will find nearby is parkland of old trees, ponds and paths, and the sense of the wide, flat coast opening northward.
The main attraction in Peterhof is the Grand Cascade and the fountains of the Lower Park, a sequence of golden statues, water jets and terraces falling toward the sea, fed by gravity without pumps, and the Samson fountain at its heart. They run from spring to autumn, and in the right light the effect is startling. The palace and parks are part of the UNESCO listing of the historic centre of Saint Petersburg and related groups of monuments. The Germans destroyed much of the complex in the Second World War, and the rebuilding is one of the great restoration projects of the twentieth century.
Riding here is straightforward. The coast road from Saint Petersburg to Peterhof is wide and fast but very busy, with heavy traffic at weekends and in the tourist season, and speed cameras are numerous. Inside Peterhof the roads are quieter, with tree-lined streets and parks. Summer evenings are very long and light, which is beautiful, though mosquitoes are a nuisance in the damp woods. Winter brings snow and ice, and riding is not practical then. The best time is June to September.
Peterhof has fuel stations, shops, restaurants and hotels in good number, as does the neighbouring Petrodvorets, so there is no need to plan ahead. Try a bowl of borscht or a plate of pelmeni, small dumplings served with sour cream, and a pastry from one of the bakeries. If you visit the fountains, arrive early, since queues build quickly, and bring a rain jacket, because the Baltic weather changes rapidly.