Badminton Horse Trials

Located in Gloucestershire, the Badminton Estate is home to the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort as well as two sporting legacies.

Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials/© Kit Houghton

Located in Gloucestershire, the Badminton Estate is home to the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort as well as two sporting legacies.

The house at the heart of the Badminton Estate dates from the 17th century and has been home to the Duke of Beaufort ever since. It was the 1st Duke who is believed to have been the architect behind the building itself and is thought to have spent £30,000 over three decades on the structure.

However, the 3rd Duke would later employ architect James Gibbs in the 18th century to make some major changes to the East and West wings, while William Kent was responsible for completing the North front. The building now remains much unchanged since that time.

During the 19th century the game of Badminton was invented in the house, but over the years the property has become just as famous for the annual equine sporting event that takes place in its grounds.

The property is now the family home of the 11th Duke who is also President of the Badminton Horse Trials held each year in the acres of deer park that surround the property. It was the 10th Duke who first decided to hold the event on the estate in 1949 to give British riders a better chance to train for international events, with the winner taking home the grand sum of £150. The event’s popularity soon grew, becoming televised in 1956 and its popularity continues to this day with last year’s winner receiving the prize of £65,000.

This year’s event takes place 7-11 May and is expected to be as enthralling as ever.

www.badmintonestate.co.uk
www.badminton-horse.co.uk

To find out more about the architecture of William Kent, don’t miss the July 2014 issue of Discover Britain.