Badders 2017 - first timer

NaeNae87

NaeNae87

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Sunny Perth, Western Australia
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Can anyone offer some advice as to what to expect?
I am trekking over from Western Australia, have never been to a 4* before and am flying solo.... So am a little nervous.
I know to pack for all weather, I know it will be amazing... But help!!

Should I hire an RV/Winnebago type thing? Has anyone camped in one of those glamping pod things? Are they any good? Any other suggestions for accommodation?

For food, should I bring stuff in or buy it on site?

Is it worth getting a membership?

What is the shopping like? Are there many specials?

Anyone feel like taking me under their wing? 😜😜 Will bring Tim Tams and wine (or is Pimms more appropriate?)

Thanks!! :)
 
Where to start! Badminton is lovely. I live fairly close (about an hour away) and haven't needed to stay so can't comment on those options but don't underestimate how cold, wet and windy camping at the beginning of May can be!

Will you be hiring a car? Without one, staying at a hotel and getting back and forth every day can be tricky although there are some public service buses that go to the village. There are a few small hotels and b&bs close by but they're probably already full. Bath or Bristol would be your best options for bigger cities to stay in. If you're hiring a car to go back and forth and paying to stay in a hotel, a camper might be worth it.

If you're planning on being there the whole time a membership is probably worth it too. I tend to only go for one or two days so just get day tickets.

The shopping is amazing - there's a whole town that pops up there. Getting it all home will be the difficult part! There are plenty of food outlets there, the choice is incredible but it can be a bit pricey (like anywhere with a captive audience) so it all depends on your budget.

As far as the alcohol goes, there are no rules. Pimms or wine would be very acceptable ;)

Enjoy! You'll have a ball, I'm sure.
 
My sister and I went for the XC and SJ for the first time this year and it was brilliant!! We are planning to return for the whole event in 2017!

If the weather is good (2016 was roasting hot!), you will need sun cream and a hat. If it is wet, you will need wellies/country boots and waterproofs. Most people were wearing jodhpurs or jeans with country boots even in good weather as there is a lot of walking involved, especially for XC day. Comfy footwear is a must.

We are not planning to stay as we only live about an hour away so I cannot speak for the accommodation. We took a picnic with us for XC day and bought food on the SJ day. Definitely think it is worth doing this. The main food areas are a fair trek from the majority of the XC course so it is easier with a picnic; although there are some food vans stationed at various places around the course. If you decide to buy, there are plenty of choices.

The shopping is great! Lots of major retailers with lots of generous offers. We did not spend a fortune as neither of us have a horse to buy for but I can imagine that it will add up quickly if you do as there are so many stalls. My sister bought some lovely Ariat country boots and saved £100 which she was pretty happy with!

Do not forget to book seats for the D and SJ! We saw a quite a few people who did not realise they needed to book seats; they were very disappointed when they could not watch the SJ.

We would be happy to meet up with you when we arrive each day; we will have friends and our dog with us on XC day but it will be just us two on the other days (p.s. Pimms would definitely be appreciated on a sunny day :p)
 
Hiring a RV/Winnebago is very expensive to hire Accomadation at pubs and hotels get booked up very very quickly and then you need to get onto the site .We take our own touring caravan .There is lots of camping at Badminton and you just walk through to the event people bring all sorts of tents from one man to huge .If you book the camping /caravan you book for the whole event ad it gives you your passes into the event in the price. There a little shop on the camping site and a fish and chip van set up there which does other stuff as well There is a shop just outside the gates a little supermarket and food can be bought in the food hall at the show.
On Badders itself are lots of places to eat and drink but a little pricey .I have seen the glamping pods and they look nice but haven't been indside one. There are toilets and showers on the site.We have never taken membership as dogs are not allowed in certain of there areas and we always have our dogs with us .
People are generally quite friendly.The shopping is excelletn lots of stuff horsey countr dogs as well as country life stuff a bis food hall and lots of gifts and crafts I generally shop for birthday and Christmas presents there
 
Ok. Am a veteran of 50 odd years (!) so here's a few thoughts.

Buy tickets when the box office opens in middle January. Go to he website and register so they send you an email. You'll get a booking number for priority. Yes buy a season ticket much cheaper. Then you need to book ticket for dressage and showjumping which do sell out so again book early

On this page details of camping site from last year (be the same next!)
https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/index.php/tickets-2/camping-site-2/
there are glamping websites links at the bottom of the article. You could try local hotels and hire a car (we drive on the same side of the road as you & everything!) again book the car well in advance. You only need a small one so not too expensive.
Closest car hire to Badders is probably https://www.enterprise.co.uk/en/car-hire/locations/gpbr.uk-bristol.u531.html


Hotels 2016
HOTEL Email Telephone Distance Website
The Castle Inn
Market Cross, Castle Combe, SN14 7HN enquiries@castle-inn.info
01249 783030
0 – 5
www.castle-inn.info
The Manor House Hotel & Golf Club
Castle Combe, Wiltshire, SN14 7HR enquiries@manorhouse.co.uk
01249 782206
0 – 5
www.manorhouse.co.uk
The Moda House
1 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6BA enquiries@modahouse.co.uk
01454 312135
0 – 5
The Hare & Hounds Hotel
Westonbirt, Tetbury, Glos. GL8 8QL reception@hareandhoundshotel.com
01666 881000
5 – 10
Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa
Duncombe Lane, Colerne, Wiltshire, SN14 8AZ reservations@lucknampark.co.uk
01225 742777
5 – 10
www.lucknampark.co.uk
Oak House No. 1
1 The Chipping Tetbury, GL8 8EU reservations@oakhouseno1.com
01666 505741
5 – 10
www.oakhouseno1.com
White Lion Hotel
Church Road, Yate, Bristol, BS35 5BG

Or B&b's
https://d24vhgczuo2t5j.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/b-b-list-24.4.16.pdf Again you'll need a car.

All book up in advance so you need to be booking now



As for food it'll be cheaper to buy outside but there is plenty to choose from inside so budget £25 to £30 a day and you'll be fine.

You do get good bargains in the shops especially on the Sunday afternoon!

You'll need clothing to cope with all or some of the following
Cold
Wet
Cold and wet
Torrential
Muddy
Very muddy
Hell I can't stand up in this muddy
Sunny
Very sunny
Sunny and bloody hell its raining again !!

A must is some sort of insurance if you've spent a lot and it gets cancelled. Doesn't happen often but can so done chance it.

Good luck. And ask away if you need anything else.
 
Thank you all for your help.

I will be in the UK with my nan and aunt, neither are horse people so I think I will just be getting dropped off and left to fend for myself (which I am fine with).

I will definitely be booking tickets for the dressage and sj and have been logging on the the Badders website to read up on their event info.

iaej - that would be good. Would be nice to finally meet some other people on this forum. :)

Thank you for the packing advice. I will be sure to pack for everything and have a few changes of shoes!

I am sure I will think of more questions closer to the date, but I will be sure to read the links posted.

Thanks again!
 
If you particularly stuck with anything PM me, I live on the doorstep so can help out in an emergency. Our plans very up in the air as it's possible I'll be there with a horse, so can't commit to anything up front I'm afraid
 
I'm no help at all, but please will you bring a cherry ripe over for me? Thankyou :)

Would your nan and aunt have wellies you could borrow? They're a big thing to pack (and you want to save space in your bag for the shopping ;) ) and lets try to be optimistic about the weather!
 
Sure... I might have to pack a box. Cherry ripes are amazing 😍

My nan and aunt are traveling with me. They are going to dump me and run. Hahaha

I can always post things home. And we are going to be over in France for ANZAC Day, so my warm and wet weather gear will be with me for that anyway.
 
Re wellies- I wouldn't worry too much if they haven't got some- I tend to buy a new pit of waterproof boots every time I'm there! (Rock up in trainers, and it rains- rock up in wellies and it's too hot for them!).

Take plenty of water XC day, and a rucksack- it's a pain trying to carry purses/drinks/food in a handbag when you're trying to get close to a jump!
 
Parrotperson said:
Ok. Am a veteran of 50 odd years (!) so here's a few thoughts.

You'll need clothing to cope with all or some of the following
Cold
Wet
Cold and wet
Torrential
Muddy
Very muddy
Hell I can't stand up in this muddy
Sunny
Very sunny
Sunny and bloody hell its raining again !!
Click to expand...

You forgot hail..... Its never snowed but I'm sure it will one year!


If you are being dropped off on XC Day then it will need to be by 7am, or your lift will spend their day stuck in traffic.

But otherwise everyone else's advice is good.

The campsite is lots of fun, we have been going for 15yrs now. If you are a seasoned camper then you will be OK with a tent (and a season ticket is included in the price), but if the weather is pants it can be pretty miserable if your tent is small, especially if you don't have a car to take refuge in.

A few companies will hire caravans and take them to the site for you, we have done this a couple of times. But, its gets expensive and isn't really economical unless you can fill all the berths in the caravan.
 
Id spoil yourself and book a caravan to be delivered on site rather than queue to get in each day. Much more comfy and warm than a tent or pod. You can also cook then if need be and will have a loo and a fridge..

I've never bothered buying tickets for the dressage - there are always loads of free seats available in the grandstand. Even if you don't get tickets for SJ they show it on big screens outside. The shops are also deserted and cheap while the SJ is on. I like watching riders warm up too.

On Xc day try and get to the lake an hour or so before it starts and grab a seat with a coffee and bacon butty. It gets busy all day, so we find it the best place to start off.

I usually wear walking boots, they cope with most weathers, and if it seriously gets muddy you can buy a pair of wellies (but get in quick as they sell out on rainy events!). It's good to be there on the Wednesday as there is grassroots Xc, the trot up and the shops are quiet.
 
I'm not a lot of help but me and a friend and the dog normally go on xc day and we will probably go this year. You're welcome to tag along with us, we shop from 9 until the start and then walk around the course and then do last minute bargains before the shops close. And we bring a picnic too! As long as it's not chucking it down it's a really good day out but even when it did rain the other year it was still fun :)
 
I do not recommend the White Lion at Yate as that's where me and my friend stayed for Badminton this year, absolutely awful.

If the hotel wasn't bad enough my car fatally broke down so ended up with a hire car from Enterprise Bristol which I highly recommend, brilliant!

I've camped before and I would do that again as you get such a great atmosphere with like minded people and if you're lucky make some new friends and get invited to a BBQ in the evening!

We got there for gates opening to enjoy shopping first before getting some food and finding a spot to sit down and watch the XC.

As has already been mentioned prepare for everything but as light as possible and whack it all in a comfortable rucksack with padded shoulder straps. Walking boots, sun cream, waterproof poncho, hat, sunglasses, camera, drinks, snacks and a decent amount of cash because the cash points this year were few and far between and the majority of catering vendors don't take cards.

A lot of the trade stands were happy to put my purchases to one side, so at the end of XC I went back around to collect them on my walk back to the car.
 
Thank you everyone. Sorry for my non reply, computer and phone died within days of each other!

I have done a bit of reading about the traffic heading to and from the event. Is it really horrific? If so, I might just hire a car and head out to the event myself on the Wed. That way my nan and aunty can do all the sight-seeing, touristy stuff that I have already done, as it's my aunty's first time to Europe and the UK, so I would hate for her to miss out on something to have to drop me off.

The Podpads look pretty cool, I think they might be a winner. I am fine with camping, I camp at all the events over here. I reckon a pod pad is gonna be a bit warmer and more comfy than a swag on the floor of my float/trailer.

I am already going to have a pair of Dublin River boots and a pair of Ariat Dura Terrains. I am hoping they should do a good job or should I have another pair?
 
NaeNae87 said:
Thank you everyone. Sorry for my non reply, computer and phone died within days of each other!

I have done a bit of reading about the traffic heading to and from the event. Is it really horrific? If so, I might just hire a car and head out to the event myself on the Wed. That way my nan and aunty can do all the sight-seeing, touristy stuff that I have already done, as it's my aunty's first time to Europe and the UK, so I would hate for her to miss out on something to have to drop me off.

The Podpads look pretty cool, I think they might be a winner. I am fine with camping, I camp at all the events over here. I reckon a pod pad is gonna be a bit warmer and more comfy than a swag on the floor of my float/trailer.

I am already going to have a pair of Dublin River boots and a pair of Ariat Dura Terrains. I am hoping they should do a good job or should I have another pair?
Click to expand...

I didn't find the traffic to be that bad. On XC day, it was slow moving at around 20-30mph between the motorway junction and the parking but this only took us about 20-30 minutes. And then SJ day we arrived super early as we hadn't yet booked the grandstand seating and there was no traffic at all. They hadn't even opened the car park when we arrived, lol!

I imagine you would be fine with the footwear you already have since the river boots are waterproof. I will be wearing my Ariat country boots which are very similar to the Grasmere if it is very wet or dry. :)
 
NaeNae87 said:
Can anyone offer some advice as to what to expect?
I am trekking over from Western Australia, have never been to a 4* before and am flying solo.... So am a little nervous.
I know to pack for all weather, I know it will be amazing... But help!!

Should I hire an RV/Winnebago type thing? Has anyone camped in one of those glamping pod things? Are they any good? Any other suggestions for accommodation?

For food, should I bring stuff in or buy it on site?

Is it worth getting a membership?

What is the shopping like? Are there many specials?

Anyone feel like taking me under their wing? ���� Will bring Tim Tams and wine (or is Pimms more appropriate?)

Thanks!! :)
Click to expand...
No advice other than to say well done, (without meaning to sound patronizing) because you must be very brave to venture to a new country on your own. You are obviously very self sufficient and confident and I think that's really good, I wish I felt brave enough to venture to a new country on my lonesome! I hope you have a very nice time in our country and see the better side of what England has to offer and grab yourself some bargains from the stands - I can recommend them having been a few times previously :)

Food is very expensive, much cheaper to stop en route at a mini supermarket or similar and grab a couple of sandwiches and some water. A bum bag that you can wear around your waist makes it easy to carry money safely and take some wet wipes and tissues (toilet paper runs out fast). Also buying a entrance ticket before hand will save you money on the day.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
iaej said:
I didn't find the traffic to be that bad. On XC day, it was slow moving at around 20-30mph between the motorway junction and the parking but this only took us about 20-30 minutes. And then SJ day we arrived super early as we hadn't yet booked the grandstand seating and there was no traffic at all. They hadn't even opened the car park when we arrived, lol!

I imagine you would be fine with the footwear you already have since the river boots are waterproof. I will be wearing my Ariat country boots which are very similar to the Grasmere if it is very wet or dry. :)
Click to expand...

Ok great. I might still get a car and take myself out there. That way I can leave after presentations or whenever if needed.

Ariat don't supply country boots to Aus. We can get them, but we have to order online. I am really hoping I can get a pair while I am over in the UK. Ariat's are amazing for their longevity. And they are so comfy!
 
applecart14 said:
No advice other than to say well done, (without meaning to sound patronizing) because you must be very brave to venture to a new country on your own. You are obviously very self sufficient and confident and I think that's really good, I wish I felt brave enough to venture to a new country on my lonesome! I hope you have a very nice time in our country and see the better side of what England has to offer and grab yourself some bargains from the stands - I can recommend them having been a few times previously :)

Food is very expensive, much cheaper to stop en route at a mini supermarket or similar and grab a couple of sandwiches and some water. A bum bag that you can wear around your waist makes it easy to carry money safely and take some wet wipes and tissues (toilet paper runs out fast). Also buying a entrance ticket before hand will save you money on the day.
Click to expand...

Thank you. It will be my second trip to the UK, I was over there in 2011 totally by myself. I am only doing Badders completely by myself this time as I am travelling with my non horsey nan and aunty. It works well, they can see Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury and the major touristy parts of London without me as I have already seen them. :)
 
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