I’m planning a trip to the UK this coming May so I can go to the Badminton Horse Trials for a couple days. I’m wondering if anyone has been there and has any advice, pointers, tips, opinions etc. Anyone have suggestions on places to stay?
I welcome any input 
Thanks!
I went there many years ago, and while I can’t recommend lodging, I will say make sure you leave room in your suitcase. The vendor village is amazing!
Last year I stayed at the Norman Park Hotel. It is about 20 mins away without traffic. It is a very cute British hotel by a lake with a walking path out in the country. I didn’t have any issues with traffic, but also left early to avoid it.
We stayed in a little village called castle Combe. We did a few nights at the manor hotel and then a few nights at an Airbnb type place. Roughly 15mins away from badminton
Bring comfortable hiking shoes/boots and be prepared to either bring or buy waterproof stuff. I’ve been lucky the times I’ve been that there was a mix of weather, not a 3-day downpour. But they’re not unheard of.
Go for at least one of the dressage days (even if you don’t really care to watch or buy a seat). Use that time to walk the XC, check out the vendors, and watch the dressage warm-up. Also you can catch a bunch of the riders at their sponsors’ stands - for autographs etc.
If you go on the 1st dressage day (if I remember correctly) you can find seating because it’s not nearly as busy. They have great lunchtime shows as well (e.g. Carl Hester with students).
I also reccomend if you want to see all of the xc jumps, start at the beginning. I started at the end because that is what I found first. I didn’t make it all of the way around because there was about an hour when there was no riders because of falls/retirements on course.
I’ve been several times and am planning to go again this year.
I would book accommodations ASAP as hotels book up fast. If you book at the Tortworth let me know as that’s where we’re planning to stay.
Badminton Horse Trials | Hotels 2024 (badminton-horse.co.uk)
I’ve been several times, including last year when the weather was biblical. We drive from home, so don’t stay locally, but if you’re going on XC day LEAVE EARLY. Like really early. Aim to be there by 7 or so and be there when the gates open. The traffic is utterly insane - I cannot stress this enough. In 2023 we were caught in a jam that took 3 hours to move 6 miles - it was ridiculous. Be prepared for all weathers, 2022 was glorious, 2023 was an absolute bog with mud to the ankles in the shopping village. The shopping village is absolutely amazing, loads of food options too. We’ve started buying the XC day ticket with a members entry badge, in ear radio, two course lunch (the food was great) and parking (make sure you buy parking if you need it, the entry ticket itself doesn’t give you parking) - that gets you into the stands area as well, so you can see start/finish. Totally recommend it, but again, GET THERE EARLY. Good luck!
Solid advice from everyone here. I’d definitely go for the membership package too (I’m a Brit and frequent visitor). Main advantages in addition to those listed are the nicer toilets and the TVs showing activity around the course. So if it is heaving with rain you can sit in a tent being served drinks and watch all the action on the course in comfort.
Traffic is, as others have said, horrific if you aim to arrive ‘before XC’. If you consciously arrive waaaay earlier than you need to (assuming you are driving), you will breeze in AND get parking much closer to the tradestands. The car parks are deep and arriving late can mean you not only queue for a long time to get in, but you also then have a long walk to get to any action.
Budget hotel chains here are pretty solid - Premier Inn and Hol Inn express probably being the best. Travelodge is good if you find a new one or recently refurbed (they do charge for wifi), Ibis is functional but that is all. Old Travelodges can be pretty awful. All work on earlier = cheaper.
@Doodlebug1 Solid advice for Burghley and second the train option - but OP wants to go to Badminton.
Personally, I prefer Burghley, for the more certain weather, the interesting terrain and the more innovative attitude to course design, but Badminton is only 20 minutes down the road so I go there more often.
hahahaha - amazing! Well done me!
Yup I did the same thing. My brain is in a fog, because my toddler is sick which means I am getting no sleep. My advice is for Burghley.
Not sure if they still do it but a friend and I did the on-site glamping and it was awesome - no fighting traffic, on-site bar and restaurant with guest speakers almost every night. Loved it and would definitely do it again.
I believe the camp site is sold out.
I have reserved a campsite and a camper to be delivered there.
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