Badminton First Timer!!

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wills_91

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Now it's 2017 I can start getting excited! Heading to badminton for the first time, travelling on a couch from Scotland with 20 odd other mad horsey folk and spending 3 nights in the Hilton will be my first "holiday" since having my son - who will be 5 in March! - so excited but already starting to worry about what I'll pack and wear! Anybody else going? Anybody got any tips/advice. So excited!
 
A couch sounds very Harry Potteresque!

On a serious note, comfort is the name of the game especially for your feet but something that is suitable for wet weather, I personally love my Dubarrys for comfort but temperature control and lots of people will be wearing similar. Clothes wise layers are best and a waterproof jacket. A backpack is ideal for carrying layers not being worn and shopping! I would tend to wear the next day's top to dinner the night before for it's clean and smart then and is still ok for the next day. Tbh you will see everything there so be practical and comfortable.
 
Badminton is fantastic, you will have a great time!
Rucksack and clothing for every weather!
Do you shopping earlier in the week, avoid the shops on XC day as it's mayhem.
If walking the course then SJ day is good as you can go right up to the fences.
Usually quite a party on the Saturday night.

If everything goes to plan I should be there all week, mental note to book time off work!!
 
Comfy, waterproof footwear.
Layers that can be removed/put on easily if too hot/cold.
Hand gel- if you're like me and find it gross that there is no soap in the loo.
Toilets by the arena are the best ones there!!
A hat/headband if you feel the cold/get headaches easy- it can be quite windy.
Picnic food if you don't want to spend a fortune!

Booked it off last year when my friend texted me the next dates- I was in Kent but rang the boss to get him to put a holiday form in :D
 
Thanks for all info so far, guess I better add a back pack to my list! Yes we have a coach transfer to and from every morning :)
 
I always stay on the Saturday night for the fantastic band at the big beer tent (think it's called The Pig & Whistle) - if you are in a crowd that like to party it is well worth staying on for that so you might need to sort transport out if the coach will only do one trip.

The band doesn't start until around 7pm or thereabouts. The atmosphere was fantastic and you can eat in the food stalls all around that area to save going back to the hotel first, but best not to have loads of shopping with you as it will be a pain to look after if you are all dancing (especially if on the tables!) so as others have said do your shopping on the dressage days. There is another band in the posher Lakeside bar on the Saturday night too but we preferred the younger vibe of the tent.
 
I spectated last year, only for XC day mind :) It was great, so you'll have great fun.

Layers are definitely your friend! I now wear sports leggings instead of jeans or similiar to outside events, as they are comfortable and dry really quickly if they get wet.

Good footwear is also a must - most people were either in walking type boots or country boots, but I had wellies in the car too :)

I didn't really shop much at Badminton as I went up for the day and it was so, so crowded on XC that I stuck to watching the action! So definitely shop on the quieter days. We walked the course whilst riders jumped and then watched the last few in the Grandstand, as we were pretty tired by then.

Have fun, most importantly :)

I 100% second whoever said anti-bacterial hand gel, I always take wet wipes too!
 
My friend did a coach trip from Scotland last year. She had a fantastic time. I only went for XC day, but walked miles, so comfy shoes are a must. Lots of layers to account for the changeable weather. Have a ball, you'll love it.
 
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