How to get to Badminton Horse Trials, plus travels tips from H&H

Are you looking for directions to Badminton Horse Trials to help you plan your day? If you’re considering a trip to the big spring five-star we’ve not only covered the best ways to get to Mars Badminton Horse Trials, but we’ve put together some travel tips, too.

Where is Badminton Horse Trials?

Badminton is located in the heart of the Cotswolds, approximately 100 miles west of London and 15 miles from Bristol and Bath. The event is set in the grounds of Badminton House, which is the family home of the 12th Duke of Beaufort.

Badminton Horse Trials directions

Use the postcode GL9 1DD to get you started, but only follow the directions until you pick up yellow AA signage for Badminton Horse Trials. Follow these signs to public parking as there will be a traffic management plan in place.

There will be a one way system in operation on cross-country day (Saturday 10th May). Taxis or drop-off drivers must drop passengers at the designated drop-off point in Badminton Village – if they use any other route, they will be unable to leave until after 2pm. Vehicles must approach the drop-off point from the south or west, rather than attempt to get there from the north or through Badminton Park. Follow the AA signage and you won’t go wrong.

Nearest train station to Badminton Horse Trials

The nearest railway station is at Chippenham, which approximately 11 miles from the event. There are coaches running from the station on cross-country day – for further details and bookings, contact Andy Bus & Coach Ltd (01666 825655).

Other travel options

There is a very limited bus service in the Badminton area, so we wouldn’t recommend this. If you’re local and wish to travel by bike, there are bicycle stands are available at each entrance – but note that bicycles are not permitted in the show ground.

Bristol International is the closest airport, and if you’re visiting Badminton from abroad we recommend hiring a car for ease of getting around.

If you wish to arrive by helicopter, visit badminton-horse.co.uk for more information.

Badminton travel tips

• Do not travel to the event without a ticket as there will be no sales on the gate – here’s more information about Badminton tickets
• Trust the signs and follow directions of traffic management stewards – do not follow your satnav once you spot the AA signs
• Listen to Radio Badminton (87.7FM) as you get closer for traffic reports and check Badminton’s website and social media handles for traffic updates
• Place your pre-purchased car pass in the front window of your vehicle for easy scanning. Mobile signal is unreliable at Badminton, so it’s best to download or print off your parking pass before travelling
• Leave plenty of time to get to the event, especially on cross-country day
• If you have a long way to travel, it’s worth considering staying in a hotel near Badminton the night before, especially if you’re attending on the Saturday

H&H’s eventing editor Pippa Roome says: “Arrive early to avoid a long wait on cross-country day. And don’t try to leave as soon as the action finishes as you’ll find yourself sat in traffic.”

H&H’s Lucy Elder, who attends as a reporter every year, says: “Definitely get in early – and earlier than you think! The event is set in the most beautiful parkland and it’s quite magical to get in there while it’s all quiet, so have a coffee and watch the grounds fill up. Pack a thermos, buy a bacon roll, and have a lovely little breakfast picnic while you go through the H&H form guide [in the 7 May issue] and plan your day!”

How to watch and listen to Badminton Horse Trials

To watch every phase of Badminton Horse Trials live or via catch up, including the trot-ups, from the comfort of your home anywhere in the world, you need a 2026 Badminton TV Pass. Badminton TV is once again powered by ClipMyHorse.TV, but you do not need a full ClipMyHorse.TV subscription to watch – you can just subscribe to Badminton TV for £22.99. Go to badminton-horse.tv to sign up. If you are already a ClipMyHorse.TV premium member, Badminton TV is included in your subscription. Also check out the Badminton app, which provides free live results and much more this year. Sign up for Badminton Plus membership for £4.99 to access the live Radio Badminton broadcast and receive exclusive offers from on-site exhibitors. Search for Badminton Horse Trials in your app store.

Enjoy the best of Badminton with Horse & Hound

To ensure you keep up to date with all the breaking news, behind the scenes insight, and the best of the action throughout Badminton Horse Trials with no limits on how much you can read, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website from as little as £1 a week. Sign up now. And don’t miss our bumper 28-page magazine report on Badminton, including in-depth analysis and exclusive comments from top names, in the issue of Horse & Hound dated 14 May.

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