Badminton advice

Mad_Cow347

Mad_Cow347

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Next weekend I have organised for 10 people to go to Badminton XC day as part of my friends hen do. I’ve never been to Badminton before so was hoping some of you regulars might be able to give me some advice.

We have 4 cars coming and are meeting there so we need an easy place to all meet and somewhere we can set up a couple of picnic blankets and use as a base (only 2 of us plus the bride are horsey so I’m not sure the others will be too interested in walking much of the course, although hopefully some of them might). I was hoping there was an area along the lines of discovery valley at Burghley where you’ve got good views of a jump and lots of space for people to sit?
 
I’d avoid the main car park, the one you get directed to from J18 of M4.

The best is the Luckington Lane carpark BUT it’s right out at the pond. Good for picnic and watching (easy access to the V from there too) but furthest point from the trade stands/bar so might not be ideal for the non-horse people.

Other option is to come in from Tetbury/Didmarton side and park at the Lake - great for the trade stands and close to the course (lake).
 
my advise would be to get there early, we normally arrive by 830, have a quick mooch about then go to the lake, if you want seating anywhere near it you need to plant down early! on the plus side there is a bar beside it!

the other main jumps like vicarage v etc can also be a nightmare for viewing spots,

when it finishes you can go and inspect the jumps close up etc, we always hang round and go and look at the trade stands etc as it allows the main dash of traffic to calm down.

its a great day out, but bloody knackering if you do the whole course, if its raining... id not bother going lol!
 
I think you'll struggle to put a picnic blanket down at the lake, it's so busy you'd have people stood all round you.

Personally we picnic on the hill on the Badmintn House side of the Vicarage Vee area - you can usually see a few fences from there (not as closely as Discovery Valley) and there's a little grandstand at the fences on the top of the hill (the cutting?) and usually a sponsor giving out glasses of fizzy wine for free.

Another nice place to view a few fences is next to the warm up area (interesting in itself) on the little hill facing the steps. You can usually see two or three fences from there. We often finish up there.

Sorry for the lack of accurate names for fences!! Have a good time.
 
Get there as early as you can and set your rugs by the main big screen. Close to the loos, easy watching, food outlets all around you (and bars), close to the shops, and also close to the grandstands which are covered (just in case you want to sit somewhere in the dry for a bit, but let's be optimistic shall we....). You can see the start and finish from the grandstands and you don't need a reserved seat on Saturday.
 
Hi, according to the Badminton website gates open on the Saturday for XC Day at 0730 - first horse on the course at 11.30 but I’d double check this as sometimes adjusted depending on the number of runners XC.

as far as meeting, any villages/hamlets near or on the Badminton Estate have their verges stringed off on XC day to prevent parking on the verges. It depends on which direction you’re travelling from, but if via the M4, and you are just meeting up to all drive in together (ie. not leaving cars parked at the rendezvous), the Leigh Delamere Services Eastbound is a good spot - plus there’s an M&S in the services for any last minute picnic supplies.

You can then leave the services from the back gate which is left open for the Travelodge guests, and you can cut across country on the lanes and get into Luckington car park easily from that direction.

As others have said already, you really need to arrive before 9am to avoid the queues. It is really worth getting there early - there are loads of stands for for early coffee and bacon rolls, before you start your shopping and the stands will be quieter early on.

I don’t know if you’ve already got your tickets, but looking on their website, on the gate prices for XC Day are £32 per person, and £12 per car, so you want to make best use of the day.

As there will be plenty of walking, I’d recommend you and your friends take really comfortable walking shoes or boots and clothing to cater for the Badminton weather where you can often get all seasons in one day! Also, with the recent wet weather, the ground underfoot may be a bit on the soft side, but hopefully the trade stand areas will stay mud free!

ETA: You will have a fantastic day - it’s a wonderful event!
 
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Make sure everyone is suitably dressed, my guess is that it is going to be very muddy so wellies or boots are a must IMO. Take booze and food in with you as it can be expensive especially if you want something really nice. If you've got non horsey people with you I'd try to persuade the to walk part of the course, part of the thrill of being at XC day is seeing the jumps "close up", you really get a proper sense of how difficult the course is. TBH if you are going to watch it on the big screen I'd rather watch the telly! Huntsman's close usually is interesting but as with all the jumps they get very very busy. The water will be tricky and fences 14 - 18 would be worth a look. There is loads of shopping and it's not all horsey. Keeping in touch can be tricky as I've never found phone reception that good so I'd agree to meet somewhere in advance, perhpas by the score board? Don't leave it until you are bursting to find the loos, they also get very busy. Oh and make sure you know where your cars are, nothing worse than panicking at the end of the day cos you can't find the car. Have a brilliant time. I usually go but not this time but will be recording it on the red button so I'll have 6+hours of XC to watch (not the same as being there though)
 
If those of you who are horsey are BHS members, take your membership cards.
BHS are charity of the year at Badminton and have a lot going on there, including members only refreshments and toilets (not great for the not horsey people, but if you're all going off to explore for a bit).
 
Thanks everyone. I’m a Burghley regular so know roughly what to expect of the day and have given everyone information on what to wear etc. I’m going to try to get everyone to have a walk around and see some more jumps, hopefully once they’re all there they’ll be impressed and want to see some more of it. I’ll have a look at the suggestions of where to meet and maybe sit for a while. Thank you!
 
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If they aren't up for a whole walk round maybe you could get them to go from 1-10 (lake) then skip to number 26 ;))

We usually park in front of the big screen near the food (especially in poor weather) and avoid the people on course but that is when there for the duration so seen plenty of horses/walked the course already. I'd think you could set up by the lake but it will be the wrong end to the jumps.

Definitely get there as early as you can, and have drinks and brekkie when you get there :).
 
Coming in from the Tetbury road - A46 - is closest to the trade stands. Ditto about finding the car! I am a Badminton regular, but I was struggling to find our car a couple of years ago, just what you want at the end of a tiring day!
 
Red Button, comfy sofa, close the curtains, phone on silent, bag of galaxy minstrels...................

Sorry, I couldn't resist !
 
Countryfile are reporting an improving weather forecast (from about Tuesday) for the week ahead up to the weekend. Which is great news for all going.
 
I haven't been for several years but can fully reccomend taking wellies unless it's different it gets very muddy on the spectator "track " next to the course. Also I went in the really wet year that was 1999 and while I was only 9 then can say how much it helped having waterproof trousers same for my mum and my friend and his mum, nothing worse than getting soaked wet legs then being freezing for the rest of the day! I'm not sure what the weather is going to be like but may be worth you popping to somewhere that does cheap waterproofs e.g. Millets? And getting some as non horsey people seem to not be used to rain so may put off/ dishearten the non horsey people if they get cold and wet? They also aren't used to mud having seen oh tip toe round the muddy hickstead car park despite wearing wellies. They may also think that because it's been dry for a couple of days it'll be fine to wear trainers as it won't be muddy but the ground will get churned up throughout the day so they are best in some wellies and comfy socks, wear trousers/ coats etc that they don't mind getting muddy it's not a fashion parade so they won't be judged on what they look like comfort and practicality is far more important! Definitely no heels etc.

If it's sunny take sun hats etc.

Unless it's changed from several years back the non horsey people may like some of the trade stands if it's anything like hickstead you have clothing and food stands they may enjoy looking at.

Oh is non horsey but likes when the action is "exciting" so perhaps pick some of the more complex jumps rather than the "let ups " to keep their attention?

The start and finish is in the main arena so the non horsey people could always take a seat in there with some food etc if they want a rest? Will be a useful meeting point too?

Must say I do now prefer watching the red button coverage on tv!
 
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Tiddlypom said:
This for me too, but having previously walked the course/watched some dressage/done the trade stands when its quieter on the Thursday.
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Have a lovely day, I enjoy the dressage far more than the crowds on the Saturday. Been a while since I have been, the last time resulted in horrific sun stroke and being very poorly - I was young and stupid mind ! I am now old, wise and grumpy.
 
amymay said:
Countryfile are reporting an improving weather forecast (from about Tuesday) for the week ahead up to the weekend. Which is great news for all going.
Click to expand...

That is good news! I’ll admit a couple of weeks ago I was getting quite nervous about if it would even happen with the amount of rain we’ve had.

The bride and I both go to XC day at Burghley every year, so I know what I’m getting us into regarding crowds etc. I also think it would be the most interesting day for the non-horsey people. Both myself and the bride normally watch it on red button and so I’m really looking forward to actually going this year (she has no idea but I’m hoping she’ll be excited when she gets there).

It’s just difficult to come up with a plan when you don’t really know the course, there’s a few spots at Burghley I’d know we could meet and set up picnic blankets with good viewing but I just have no idea at Badminton.
 
The difference between the 2 is really that Burghley is hilly and Badminton is flat, the former is therefore better for parking yourself with a picnic and having a view.

At Badminton you might struggle with that a bit, there will be crowds around fences.

I’d say park Luckington Lane, it’s really close to the pond so you won’t have to drag picnic stuff far, it’s less busy out there than nearer to the lake/tradestands and is on a loop a close walk to the V where you can see a few from one spot.

Where are you driving in from?
 
ihatework said:
The difference between the 2 is really that Burghley is hilly and Badminton is flat, the former is therefore better for parking yourself with a picnic and having a view.

At Badminton you might struggle with that a bit, there will be crowds around fences.

I’d say park Luckington Lane, it’s really close to the pond so you won’t have to drag picnic stuff far, it’s less busy out there than nearer to the lake/tradestands and is on a loop a close walk to the V where you can see a few from one spot.

Where are you driving in from?
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I have always used the LL car park, if nothing else there are rarely queues to get in and I like to walk part of the course before getting to the trade stands and having a wander round, it is a fairly good place to have a picnic and view a few fences and generally a bit quieter than some areas, usually easy to get out as well at the end of the day.
 
I can't do multiquote, but I found this post from 2015 which may be helpful.

BlueSocks said:
Get there early but don't head for the main car parks. We always park in the Luckington Lane car park which is down at the Vicarage V end of the course http://i.thisis.co.uk/274696/binaries/BadmintonCourseMap1000.jpg
You need to arrive via the B4040. Its so much quicker getting in and out of here even if you're journey gets a bit delayed, its only a 20 main walk up to the trade stands and main arena, quicker if you arrive early. Don't forget its cash only on the gate! Have fun, love Badminton, can't wait till Saturday!
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Does anyone know if the LL car park is open on the Thurs/Fri? We've always allowed ourselves to be herded along with everyone else following the official signs, we haven't ever tried to do our own thing re parking. We're good at maps though, so am happy to try for this car park.
 
See we have never had an issue with the main car park we end up in (behind the line of stands near the arena end usually), we've often been in the first few lines if arriving by 8am though we do usually leave before the last couple of horses run.
 
Tiddlypom said:
I can't do multiquote, but I found this post from 2015 which may be helpful.



Does anyone know if the LL car park is open on the Thurs/Fri? We've always allowed ourselves to be herded along with everyone else following the official signs, we haven't ever tried to do our own thing re parking. We're good at maps though, so am happy to try for this car park.
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No, but on thurs/fri try the lake car park access via Didmarton/Sopworth
 
Tiddlypom, although on thurs/fri parking is much less of an issue.
Even on sat if you get there early it’s fine (leaving is a PITA!).
It’s more if you want to set up somewhere for a picnic ... the main route in from J18/A46 brings you in behind the tradestands which isn’t the most scenic, especially when it will be a mud bath!
 
I've had another think about your parking arrangements...

Here's a link to the Course details - if you scroll right down to the bottom, you'll find the course map for this year showing the car parking arrangements.

https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/2018-cross-country-course/

I sounds like it would be a good idea to have access to the cars during the day so you can collect and drop-off the picnic stuff, and also so that you can go back to collect extra coats etc if the weather's not good - or of course to drop off your coats when the sun comes out!! You can then also head back to drop off shopping!.

As a result, I personally think you need to aim to park in preferably the Lake Car Park or 2nd choice would be Ice House. (btw Park Piece North Car Park is usually only for pre-purchased parking).

The Lake Car Park is close to The Lake fences, and to the Main Arena where the horses will start/finish and there's free under-cover grandstand seating around the Main Arena on the Saturday - there's also big screens in the Arena and commentary so you'll be able to watch the action from there.

The Lake Car Park is also very close to the Food Court which has a huge screen in the middle of it - which is between the Tradestands and the Lake. From there, you can have a walk around the course in reverse (my preference so you can see the horses approaching!) from the Lake at 10/11 to the Joules Corners at 26 - or of course the other way around, and that loop takes in Huntsmans (6), Quarry (4), start/finish and the steps @ 28.

For a picnic site, you will be close to a lot of fences/combinations there - but as has already been mentioned there's a good position near the XC warm up area where you can picnic whilst watching the horses warm-up, but you'll also have a good view of the fences 28/29/30 as well - it's a bit of a natural amphitheatre there!!

Access to specific car parks is all about the direction/road you approach Badminton on, and as there are lots of roads that become one-way on the XC Day, you need to choose your route.

Now this is from previous experience, so please take into account that traffic arrangements may change for this year, but when I have parked previously in the Lake Car Park, I approached via the road from Tetbury (A433). You'll get as far as Didmarton and follow signs onto site.

There's also a back route leaving the A433 early and via Sopworth, but if you're driving in convoy this may be a bit of a risk trying to find the route as it's through narrow lanes.

However, you will still need to arrive early - preferably no later than 9am to avoid the queues. You'll have a fantastic day I'm sure - what a fab idea for a hen party!!!
 
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This is my first year going but thanks for posting this as I was unsure what time I would need to arrive by but I've to be there about 8.30 so it sounds like I will be ok with traffic.

Hope you all enjoy yourselves.
 
I've thought of another thing to mention!

Radio Badminton (106.1 FM) is fantastic with lots of rider interviews and commentary and you can pick it up on your car radios as you get within a few miles of the event.

You can either buy the headsets on site or tune in from your phone / iPod if you remember to take your earphones with you - which I often forget to take!
 
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