I'm finally going to Burghley!

[Parrotperson]

Finally. After years and years of wanting to go I have booked accommodation and tickets and I shall be there for x country day

Coming from somewhere called Bulwick. Says it's about 20 mins from Burghley.

So what time do I need to get to Burghley to avoid the traffic? . If its anything like Badminton get there by 8am or you've had it?

and any other useful info ta. I'M VERY EXCITED!

 

[ester]

Just XC day?
Yes get there by 8!
Usually a good food walk of independents
There's usually big screens at discovery valley (useful for having lunch on the bank and being able to see some real life horses - they come through that section in both directions (via loop up to leafpit), the trout hatchery, the main arena, and down near the 'horse village' in the shopping- though they aren't the biggest screens
It's a long walk up winners avenue to the cottesmore leap

 

[Parrotperson]

Thanks

Yes although I could go Friday for a bit. But am paying for a ecopod thing to stay in and tickets so I’m already up to £450! Just to get there and get in. . Don’t tell my husband……

 

[Honey08]

You’ll have a fabulous time. It’s my favourite event. Yes definitely go early, aim to be there before 8.30. Then grab a coffee and have a wander around the shops for a bit. We always head to the Trout Hatchery at about 10am and grab a front row space where we can also see the big screen. It means you’ve got an hour or so to kill, but another coffee and a read of the program fills it. Otherwise it’s a really difficult fence to see well later. Once the Xc starts you can follow the first couple of riders on the screen until they get to you. We usually watch a few there and then walk on - we find it best to walk the opposite way to the course - two reasons- firstly most people walk the other way, and secondly you can alway see the next rider coming, whereas when you walk it forwards they take you by surprise coming from behind!
And two must dos- always go to the loo BEFORE you think you need to as there will always be a big queue, and take some tissues in case loo roll has run out!
A good place to finish watching is Discovery Valley as you can see them pass by both ways, see a big screen, and it’s not too far from the shopping village. The interviews at the celebrity talk area are worth going to, and they’ll interview the top three about 40 mins or so after Xc ends.
And don’t bother queuing to drive out. Wander round for an hour or two afterwards and you’ll get out without waits.
Enjoy!

 

[Bobthecob15]

Yep definitely 8.30 absolute latest!!!

 

[Parrotperson]

You’ll have a fabulous time. It’s my favourite event. Yes definitely go early, aim to be there before 8.30. Then grab a coffee and have a wander around the shops for a bit. We always head to the Trout Hatchery at about 10am and grab a front row space where we can also see the big screen. It means you’ve got an hour or so to kill, but another coffee and a read of the program fills it. Otherwise it’s a really difficult fence to see well later. Once the Xc starts you can follow the first couple of riders on the screen until they get to you. We usually watch a few there and then walk on - we find it best to walk the opposite way to the course - two reasons- firstly most people walk the other way, and secondly you can alway see the next rider coming, whereas when you walk it forwards they take you by surprise coming from behind!
And two must dos- always go to the loo BEFORE you think you need to as there will always be a big queue, and take some tissues in case loo roll has run out!
A good place to finish watching is Discovery Valley as you can see them pass by both ways, see a big screen, and it’s not too far from the shopping village. The interviews at the celebrity talk area are worth going to, and they’ll interview the top three about 40 mins or so after Xc ends.
And don’t bother queuing to drive out. Wander round for an hour or two afterwards and you’ll get out without waits.
Enjoy!

Sounds pretty much like badminton then!

Do you walk the whole course or not (is it even possible?)

 

[Parrotperson]

Oh and if I decide to go Friday to do the shops I assume there won’t be a queue to get in quite so early?

 

[Honey08]

Yes 90% of it. We usually leave out the first and last two fences. You can usually get round it if there’s a decent amount of runners. Seeing one or two at each fence.

If you go Friday there won’t be long queues to get in like Saturday, although it’s usually a lot busier than the Thursday.

 

[shortstuff99]

The XC queues at Burghley while busy are not at the scale of the long queues for Badminton as the entrances are better.

 

[ester]

Having moved from being local to one then to the other we definitely had a burghley year that was almost as bad , so I'd rather just get up earlier

 

[Parrotperson]

Yes 90% of it. We usually leave out the first and last two fences. You can usually get round it if there’s a decent amount of runners. Seeing one or two at each fence.

If you go Friday there won’t be long queues to get in like Saturday, although it’s usually a lot busier than the Thursday.

Thank you!

 

[Parrotperson]

Well s*d the money. I’m going on Friday too!

 

[ester]

Def worth it to do the two days IMO, you can find everything friday!

 

[lannerch]

Look what arrived today

 

[setterlover]

Look what arrived today

Yes our tickets and caravan pass arrived today.
I love Burghley and I get to meet up with my best friend and her daughter my lovely god daughter.

 

[Parrotperson]

Def worth it to do the two days IMO, you can find everything friday!

That’s was my reasoning!

 

[rab3000]

Has anyone stayed at The Garden House in Stamford?

 

[bubsqueaks]

Has anyone stayed at The Garden House in Stamford?

No sorry I havent but cant believe there will still be availability as we found everything booked year to year - we camped for the first time last year & loved it so can thoroughly recommend that!

 

[Morganfan]

Has anyone stayed at The Garden House in Stamford?

Yes, I stayed there last year, worst experience I've ever had. I was literally in the atic, the window didn't shut, the room was dirty - think toothpaste rings in the bathroom, etc. when I complained I was accused of trying to get a free holiday !!
the only positive was it is walking distance to the venue.

 

[rab3000]

Yes, I stayed there last year, worst experience I've ever had. I was literally in the atic, the window didn't shut, the room was dirty - think toothpaste rings in the bathroom, etc. when I complained I was accused of trying to get a free holiday !!
the only positive was it is walking distance to the venue.

Thanks for the feedback, I feared that might be the case. Sorry you had a bad experience.

 

[sportsmansB]

I honestly think with Burghley that getting to stay in Stamford itself is such a massive plus that I would put up with things not being great to get to do so.
Being able to walk in and out, breakfast in a cafe in the morning, dinner in a nice pub or italian in the evening, being able to pop to M&S, and the buzz about the town honestly makes the weekend for us.
Yes, its expensive and it might be possible to get 'better' accommodation for less a bit further away- but for us, it is priceless to be in that location. And no designated drivers

 

[airliner]

My friend and I went last year and had a total blast! We got so lucky with the weather, too!

We stayed at a clean and well-priced Premier Inn in Peterborough and had an Uber/taxi drive us to the event. It was much cheaper than driving our rental car and dealing with parking or even taking the train into Stamford; especially because we were splitting the costs. Much more convenient too. There was also a strike with the rail system so that’s why we got the rental car, plus we did some side trips on the way to and from the event.

We were there for Saturday and Sunday, and both days we walked into Stamford afterwards and then took the Uber/taxi home from there so we were still able to have that experience.

I also had a lot of lovely help from members of this forum too! This year sadly I will be watching from home with my “I’d rather be at Burghley” mug in hand

 

[Morganfan]

Thanks for the feedback, I feared that might be the case. Sorry you had a bad experience.

Yes, it wasn't great but at least I was out all day and I met some lovely ladies who I joined for dinner each evening so didn't have to spend too much time in the hovel. I was more blown away by the attitude when i made a complaint, it was very much like, well we are not a hotel so what do you expect. Ummm at least the room to be clean. I loved the experience of Burghly and am hoping next year to come from Australia to one of the other bigger events. I think Badmington would be a bit too much (nearly 70) but maybe one of the others. anyway good luck to you and I hope you do get to enjoy it, overall I did have a fabulous time.

 

[honetpot]

Yes, I stayed there last year, worst experience I've ever had. I was literally in the atic, the window didn't shut, the room was dirty - think toothpaste rings in the bathroom, etc. when I complained I was accused of trying to get a free holiday !!
the only positive was it is walking distance to the venue.

I bought myself a very cheap caravan last year and stayed in members camping, and for me, and I have been going for over thirty years its the best. I can have my breakfast in bed, and be parked up in the car park for 8.00, just wish I have realised sooner.

 

[setterlover]

We always take the caravan and stay on the campsite ( which is on the golf course) It's really good you can walk over to the event in about 10 to 15 minutesthey open up the 19th hole and you can sit and have a drink in the evening or book a meal there .It's really good value.
Being so close takes all the hassle out of getting on and off the course.

 

[Parrotperson]

Pursuant to my very first visit on Friday.

I’m staying near Bulwick about a 20 min drive away.

Am I best to go to Burghley through Stamford or take the scenic route through Wittering and Pilsgate?


Any other info gratefully accepted!!

 

[setterlover]

You will be signposted to Burghley once you get close there are signs directing you to the event we have found in the past it's quite hard to navigate a different route in to the designated one

 

[Parrotperson]

You will be signposted to Burghley once you get close there are signs directing you to the event we have found in the past it's quite hard to navigate a different route in to the designated one

Do you know what the designated route is? Is it through Stamford?

 

[sportsmansB]

There will be loads and loads of signs - you do just have to follow them. Different car parks open on different days (there are additional Saturday ones) - if you put the postcode into your sat nav and follow it until the yellow event signs take over, you'll be fine. There won't be loads of traffic on Friday.

 

[shortstuff99]

Do you know what the designated route is? Is it through Stamford?

They normally don't like you going through Stamford, I normally go through Barnack etc but I do come from the South.