Burghley shopping thoughts

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Trade stands of Burghley from 2008-2023 would be my mastermind specialist subject back then the 'Burghley uniform' for ladies was joules checked mini skirts, white shirts and messy blonde topknots.

We do tend to use Burghley for our aspirational shopping, often spotting things years before we are in a position buy. I like that it large ticket items as these are the things I want to see in the flesh before parting with money. Over the years we have bought haysteamers, jumps, stable furniture (drinkers and the like) bedding, both horse, human and dog, as well as saddle pads, clothes, Christmas gifts and other bits and bobs that wouldn't be at our local tack shop. Of the back of this year we will probably purchase some garden furniture, and electric gates as well as some more stable furniture at later date.

I was thinking through all the stalls that have come and gone, it think it's a natural lifecycle of things to an extent, and there certainly bargins to be had (we got two huge wool blankets for £40 from one stall) but if a person wants bargins and horse items only, Your Horse Live and the new one at NEC at Easter are better bets.

Even when we had no money at all to spend, I still enjoyed looking at the stands and dreaming

 

[hairycob]

I noticed a few stands I always fantasise at were missing and we noticed the Horse Village was smaller, less depth. Less competitions too

 

[Teaselmeg]

I was going for the first time in years, but didn't make it because of work, I'm glad I didn't bother. The ticket prices were unreal, especially for XC day - £68 for one person and a car to park in a field !! There will always be people who go, but those sort of prices are just ridiculous and mean I won't even consider it now.

 

[MarvelVillis]

It was my first year at Burghley. Really enjoyed it and thought I'd spend more money than I did on the shopping - but glad I didn't! I did come away with a 50g 1200 denier turnout for £45 which I was quite pleased with.

 

[lannerch]

I went on Saturday and thought exactly the same... the number of tight white jeans, H&C boots and a tweed poncho we saw!

On the flip side, I also saw lots of stunning midi dresses that I thought looked lovely with some short yard boots

Yes me too and they must have been boiling it was scorching hot , shorts and sun top with light shoes weather.

Edited to add I did spend rather too much shopping on ariat riding boots that were fitted to me , and some highly expensive Penelope Chilvers boots also fitted which I have admired from afar. So although they were not a bargain they both fit me much better than buying them cheaper online . Though am now officially skint .

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

I was really disappointed with the shopping. More like a county fair with hardly any tack shop type places. Did one circuit and gave up. But I did see some people with lots of posh shopping bags fromfairfax and favour etc. It felt more like a shopping mall!

Totally agree with you. I went with a shopping list for horsey stuff and didn't find much at all. We had to ask one of the officials where all the tack shops were. They replied saying they were mixed in with everything else. We went on the sunday when it was really hot and had already walked the course, we couldn't be bothered to trawl up and down everywhere.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Tack shops are few and far between now at Burghley, Badminton etc...unless you want a 4k saddle or something

 

[nikkimariet]

I’m particularly tight when it comes to impulse purchases at events so I rarely buy anything. I am also not inclined to carry purchases around for the day and even less inclined to walk back to the car to drop off bags.

I went on Thursday (free tickets as my friends mum fence judges) and I spent £15 on food and that was it. I took my own drinks as I get headaches easily so need a lot of fluids and refuse to spend £3 on a can of water every hour.

I went again on Saturday (free tickets as won a competition which was pretty cool) and spent a total of £20, only on food and also needed 2 cold drinks - it was so hot after walking the course, annoyingly the refillable station was taped off but I enjoyed my ice cold over priced Rio very much lol.

 

[Clodagh]

I went on Saturday and thought exactly the same... the number of tight white jeans, H&C boots and a tweed poncho we saw!

On the flip side, I also saw lots of stunning midi dresses that I thought looked lovely with some short yard boots

Are H&C taking over from F&F?
I’m not a brand person. I wear Clark’s boots but my sister in law is a tweed poncho, fairfax and favour girl all the way through.

 

[MagicMelon]

I imagine its pricey to have a stand at Burghley and with things the way they are, I imagine the "cheaper" companies couldnt afford to exhibit there. I hate that the horse world seems to think most of us are rich... I imagine the vast majority of us are not and want a bargain! I shopped at Blair last week and I only picked up a headcollar and lead rope as everything else was too pricey (what happened to show deals??)

 

[bubsqueaks]

We camped from Tuesday to Sunday which I thought was good value.
I love all the variety of shops that you would never find on one High Street.
There were plenty of tack shops dotted amongst & I personally love looking at things our local saddlery dont have.
Yes I bought a carving knife!
I love Burghley & what it offers but I hope they dont change things too much - there's a new Event Director & I definitely noticed sharper marketing this year.
I did wonder if theyd ever do a Netflix series like they have with the grand prix, tennis, golf, that would be fab - there was a lot more rider interviews & their definitely interacting with the public more.
Just love it & cant wait for next year.
Going to try Chatsworth next May but steer clear of Badminton as too busy, access terrible, & hate the fun fair atmosphere.

 

[honetpot]

Although I think its not as good as it was, we went as a family to Silverstone for weekend for the Silverstone Festival. Having camped a Burghley golf club I thought Silverstone golf club camping would be the same, nope. It was cramped, so restrictive, wrist bands to get on and off, and the main area a 45 minute walk. Shopping non existent, unless its branded F1 or Silverstone.
Main problem every ticket needs smart phone app, and you are scanned on and off constantly.

 

[bubsqueaks]

Although I think its not as good as it was, we went as a family to Silverstone for weekend for the Silverstone Festival. Having camped a Burghley golf club I thought Silverstone golf club camping would be the same, nope. It was cramped, so restrictive, wrist bands to get on and off, and the main area a 45 minute walk. Shopping non existent, unless its branded F1 or Silverstone.
Main problem every ticket needs smart phone app, and you are scanned on and off constantly.

Thats interesting as I was very tempted by camping at Silverstone but did get the impression it would be as youve described so am steering clear - first time camping at Burghley as previously we've been in a hotel - I was at first shocked by there being only 24 showers for 600 pitches! The Caravan Steward said theyd put a further 90 pitches on but no extra utilities! However, I must say there werent any queues at all as most people had showers in their caravans. There was plenty of space around the pitches & noise was minimal in our part so would definitely go again.

 

[honetpot]

Thats interesting as I was very tempted by camping at Silverstone but did get the impression it would be as youve described so am steering clear - first time camping at Burghley as previously we've been in a hotel - I was at first shocked by there being only 24 showers for 600 pitches! The Caravan Steward said theyd put a further 90 pitches on but no extra utilities! However, I must say there werent any queues at all as most people had showers in their caravans. There was plenty of space around the pitches & noise was minimal in our part so would definitely go again.

Loos at Silverstone, portaloo, and the showers were a hefty walk away, and the pitches very small. and it was really like. Looking at the campers at Burghly most of the campers must be £15k plus.
My daughter booked a room in the Hilton at Silverstone, and that just about saved the weekend, we could have a meal together and watch from the terrace.

 

[humblepie]

Loos at Silverstone, portaloo, and the showers were a hefty walk away, and the pitches very small. and it was really like. Looking at the campers at Burghly most of the campers must be £15k plus.
My daughter booked a room in the Hilton at Silverstone, and that just about saved the weekend, we could have a meal together and watch from the terrace.

The food at Silverstone makes shows look cheap - though must admit don't very often buy food out. Had a really nice cottage pie and veg the other week for £9 off a trade stand which made a change.

Re the expensive country living shops, I may have said this before but a few years back friend and I were at Royal Windsor, dressed tidily but deinitely not poshly, went into one of these stands and the lady started talking to us as if we could really afford around £300 for a table cloth (no idea of actual prices but you know what I mean). Was so funny, we were gently trying to back out, and she kept on with the chat.

 

[bubsqueaks]

Loos at Silverstone, portaloo, and the showers were a hefty walk away, and the pitches very small. and it was really like. Looking at the campers at Burghly most of the campers must be £15k plus.
My daughter booked a room in the Hilton at Silverstone, and that just about saved the weekend, we could have a meal together and watch from the terrace.

Out of interest what was the cost of your camping & admission to Silverstone if you dont mind saying?
I thought the Burghley camping from Tuesday to Monday including tickets at £550.00 quite reasonable.

 

[lannerch]

Thats interesting as I was very tempted by camping at Silverstone but did get the impression it would be as youve described so am steering clear - first time camping at Burghley as previously we've been in a hotel - I was at first shocked by there being only 24 showers for 600 pitches! The Caravan Steward said theyd put a further 90 pitches on but no extra utilities! However, I must say there werent any queues at all as most people had showers in their caravans. There was plenty of space around the pitches & noise was minimal in our part so would definitely go again.

Were you in a campervan by any chance?

 

[bubsqueaks]

Were you in a campervan by any chance?

Yes I was - were you camping too?!

 

[lannerch]

Yes I was - were you camping too?!

Bessie? I was in coco

 

[bubsqueaks]

Bessie? I was in coco

OMG no way how hilarious!!!