• Located in the Cotswolds, Lower Mill Estate is one of the closest and most comfortable luxury bases for attending the MARS Badminton Horse Trials.
• The 2026 Badminton Horse Trials run from Wednesday 6th to Sunday 10th May at Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire.
• Badminton is one of only 7 CCI Five-Star eventing competitions in the world — making it a truly bucket-list experience for horse lovers and casual visitors alike.
• Lower Mill Estate offers luxury self-catering accommodation that gives you the space, comfort and flexibility a hotel simply can’t match after a full day on the grounds.
• Read on to discover exactly what happens across the five days, how to get tickets, and why your choice of base could make or break the whole trip.

Lower Mill Estate is located close to Badminton’s Action

Some events only come around once a year, and how you experience them comes down almost entirely to where you’re staying. The MARS Badminton Horse Trials is one of the most prestigious equestrian events on the planet, drawing over 170,000 visitors across five days. Only 40 minute drive away, Lower Mill Estate is close by without any of the chaos.

Tucked into the Cotswolds countryside, Lower Mill Estate is a natural fit for anyone who wants to attend Badminton in style. Rather than scrambling for overpriced hotel rooms or making exhausting daily drives from further afield, guests here can settle into a beautifully appointed self-catering property, decompress after each long day, and wake up refreshed for the next.

What the Badminton Horse Trials Actually Is

If you’ve never been, the scale of this event is genuinely surprising. The Badminton Horse Trials takes place across the 1,500-acre grounds of Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, home of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort. It’s a full five-day equestrian event combining dressage, show jumping, and the showstopping cross-country phase — and it consistently attracts the world’s best horse and rider combinations.

One of Only 7 Five-Star Events in the World

Badminton holds a CCI Five-Star rating — the highest classification in international eventing — and it’s one of just seven such events held globally each year. That alone tells you everything about the level of competition and the prestige attached to finishing, let alone winning. For context, completing Badminton is widely considered one of the hardest achievements in equestrian sport.

76 Years of History and Only 6 Cancellations

The event has been running since 1949, originally conceived by the 10th Duke of Beaufort as a way to prepare British riders for the Olympic Games. In over seven decades, it has been cancelled only six times — a record that reflects both its deep cultural significance and the remarkable commitment of its organisers. That kind of heritage gives Badminton an atmosphere you simply don’t find at newer events.

The estate itself adds to that feeling. Walking the same grounds that have hosted equestrian legends for three-quarters of a century, with Badminton House as your backdrop, is a genuinely moving experience — even if you’re there primarily for the shopping village and the atmosphere rather than the sport itself.

It’s also worth noting that Badminton has always been more than just a competition. Families, dog owners, food lovers and shoppers all find something to enjoy across the five days. The event has grown into a full countryside festival, with the horse trials at its core but far more surrounding it.

First-time visitors are often struck by how accessible it all feels. Despite the elite level of the sport on display, Badminton is a genuinely welcoming event — the kind of day out that converts casual curiosity into a lifetime habit of coming back year after year.

• Dressage tests take place on Wednesday and Thursday
• The cross-country phase — the highlight of the event — runs on Saturday
• Show jumping and the final prize-giving close the event on Sunday
• Trade stands, food vendors and the shopping village are open across all five days
• Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the event

The 2026 Event Runs Wednesday 6th to Sunday 10th May

Mark the dates now: the 2026 MARS Badminton Horse Trials runs from Wednesday 6th May to Sunday 10th May 2026. Whether you plan to attend for a single day or the full five-day event, booking your accommodation early is essential — especially if you want to stay somewhere as sought-after as Lower Mill Estate.

Why Lower Mill Estate is the Ideal Base

Staying at a luxury self-catering estate rather than a hotel changes the entire rhythm of your trip. You have space to spread out, a proper kitchen to prepare meals, and the kind of quiet that lets you genuinely recover between days. Private chefs are available for restaurant-standard meals without the work, the chef will even clear up for you. As a multi-day event like Badminton, that matters far more than people expect before they’ve done it.

Lower Mill Estate understands this completely. The properties here are designed for exactly this kind of extended countryside stay — comfortable, well-equipped, and set within a landscape that feels a world away from the crowds, even though Badminton Estate is well within reach.

Location in the Cotswolds, Close to Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire

Lower Mill Estate is located in the Cotswolds, placing it in an ideal position for reaching Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire without the need for lengthy travel each day. The Cotswolds and South Gloucestershire sit side by side in this corner of England, meaning guests can enjoy the full beauty of the region while staying genuinely close to the action.

The surrounding area also offers excellent options for exploring between event days — from Cotswold villages and local pubs to walking trails and wildlife. Staying at Lower Mill means your trip to Badminton becomes a proper countryside escape, not just a logistics exercise around attending one event.

Luxury Self-Catering That Beats a Hotel After a Long Day at the Trials

• Full kitchen facilities so you can prepare your own meals and avoid overpriced event catering every single day
• Spacious living areas to relax properly after hours of walking the 1,500-acre grounds
• Private outdoor space to enjoy the Cotswolds countryside between event days
• No shared corridors, lobbies or breakfast queues — just your own private retreat
• Flexibility to come and go on your own schedule without hotel check-in restrictions

After a full day at Badminton — walking the cross-country course, browsing the trade stands, watching the dressage — the last thing you want is a cramped hotel room and a restaurant that stops serving at 9pm. Self-catering at Lower Mill Estate gives you genuine space to decompress. Pour a glass of wine, cook something proper, and let the Cotswolds countryside do the rest (not to mention the onsite spa).

It’s a completely different quality of trip. Guests who have made the switch from hotels to self-catering for multi-day events consistently say the same thing: they arrive at the event each morning far more rested, far less stressed, and far more ready to enjoy the day. When you’re paying for tickets, travel and five days of your time, that difference in experience is worth every penny.

Lower Mill Estate properties are also well-suited to groups travelling together — whether that’s a group of friends who share a passion for equestrian sport, a family making a proper holiday out of the Badminton trip, or a couple who want to combine the event with a wider Cotswolds escape. The flexibility of self-catering makes the whole trip feel genuinely tailored to you.

What to Expect at the 2026 MARS Badminton Horse Trials

First-timers are often unprepared for the sheer scale of Badminton. This isn’t just a horse show — it’s a five-day countryside festival that happens to feature one of the most demanding equestrian competitions on earth. From the moment you walk through the gates, there is genuinely something happening at every turn, whether you’re a dedicated equestrian fan or someone who just loves a great day out in the English countryside.

Over 170,000 visitors pass through across the five days, yet the event never quite loses that quintessentially British country feel. Families spread rugs on the grass beside the dressage arena. Dogs weave through the crowds on leads. The smell of food from the catering village drifts across the showground. It’s chaotic and charming in equal measure, and it has been for over 76 years.

The Cross Country Course: The Heart of the Event

Saturday’s cross-country phase is the reason most people come. Riders and horses tackle a course of around 30 to 35 fixed obstacles spread across Badminton’s famous parkland — ditches, water complexes, hedges, and drops that look completely terrifying from the spectator side of the rope. The crowds gather at the most dramatic fences, and the atmosphere when a top combination flies through a water complex cleanly is genuinely electric.

What makes Badminton’s cross-country particularly special is that you can walk the entire course yourself before riders compete. Many visitors make this part of the experience — heading out on foot across the parkland on the days before Saturday to study the fences up close, which gives the actual competition an entirely different level of appreciation when you watch it for real.

The Shopping Village: Equestrian Brands, Food and Fashion

The trade stands at Badminton are legendary in their own right. Hundreds of exhibitors set up across the showground, covering everything from high-end equestrian clothing and yard equipment to country fashion, homeware, jewellery and artisan food. Brands like Dubarry, Ariat, and Le Chameau regularly appear alongside smaller independent makers who only surface at events like this. Budget accordingly — it is extremely easy to spend a significant amount of money in the shopping village without really trying.

Food and drink is taken seriously too. Beyond the standard event catering options, Badminton draws quality food vendors offering everything from fresh seafood and wood-fired dishes to artisan cheese and locally produced drinks. Whether you’re after a quick hot drink between phases or a proper sit-down lunch, the options are genuinely good by any event standard.

Dogs, Families and First-Timers Are All Welcome

One of the most appealing things about Badminton is how genuinely inclusive the event is. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the showground, making it a favourite destination for owners who refuse to leave their animals behind on a trip. Children are well catered for, and the open parkland setting means families have room to breathe in a way that’s impossible at more confined venues. If you’re coming for the first time, go without a rigid agenda — the best moments at Badminton tend to be the ones you stumble into.

Tickets, Access and Getting to Badminton in 2026

Getting your tickets sorted well in advance is strongly recommended. The 2026 MARS Badminton Horse Trials will draw enormous numbers across all five days, and the most popular single-day tickets — particularly for cross-country Saturday — tend to sell out. Planning ahead also gives you the best chance of securing the specific days and access levels that suit your group.

How to Buy Tickets for the 2026 Event

Tickets for the 2026 MARS Badminton Horse Trials are available directly through the official Badminton Horse Trials website at badminton-horse.co.uk. The site offers single-day tickets for each of the five days, as well as full event passes for those planning to attend across multiple days. Gift vouchers are also available, making a Badminton ticket a genuinely brilliant present for any horse lover.

Hospitality packages are available for those wanting a more elevated experience on the day, with options that include premium viewing areas, catering and parking. These packages are particularly popular for cross-country Saturday and tend to book up well ahead of the event, so if hospitality is on your radar, it’s worth looking into as early as possible after tickets go on sale.

Getting to Badminton Estate From Lower Mill

Lower Mill Estate’s Cotswolds location makes it a straightforward drive to Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire. The route takes you through some genuinely beautiful English countryside, and with an early enough start you can comfortably beat the bulk of the arriving crowds. The official Badminton Horse Trials website provides detailed getting-here guidance each year, including car park information and any road closure updates as the event approaches — it’s worth bookmarking that page as May gets closer.

Accessibility Provisions at the Event

Badminton Horse Trials makes a genuine effort to accommodate visitors with accessibility requirements. The event operates across a large area of open parkland, and the organising team publishes detailed accessibility information ahead of each year's event through the official website. Disabled parking is available close to the main entrance, and mobility aid users are catered for across the showground.

Accessible viewing areas are provided at key locations, including near the dressage arena and at selected cross-country fences, so that visitors with reduced mobility don't miss the best of the action. It's worth contacting the Badminton Horse Trials team directly in advance of your visit if you have specific requirements, as they are well-practiced at helping visitors plan their day effectively.

For guests staying at Lower Mill Estate, the fact that you have a private, spacious base to return to makes managing accessibility far easier than a hotel would allow. You control the environment, the timing and the pace of your day, which makes a significant practical difference when attending an event of this scale and duration.

Practical accessibility checklist for Badminton 2026:

• Book disabled parking in advance through the official Badminton Horse Trials website
• Contact the event team ahead of your visit to discuss specific requirements
• Arrive early — the parkland terrain can become congested later in the day
• Wear comfortable, supportive footwear suitable for grass and uneven ground
• Check the official site for updated accessibility maps closer to the event date
• Consider attending on Wednesday or Thursday for smaller crowds during dressage days

Lower Mill Estate Is the Smartest Way to Experience Badminton

When you add it all up — the proximity to Badminton Estate, the luxury self-catering space, the Cotswolds setting and the freedom to experience five days on your own terms — Lower Mill Estate simply makes sense as your base for the 2026 MARS Badminton Horse Trials. Hotels in the area fill up fast and charge premium rates during event week. Lower Mill gives you something genuinely better: a private retreat in one of England's most beautiful landscapes, close enough to Badminton to make each day effortless, and comfortable enough that you actually look forward to coming back to it each evening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions from first-time Badminton visitors and those planning to use Lower Mill Estate as their base for the 2026 event.

When do the Badminton Horse Trials 2026 take place?

The 2026 MARS Badminton Horse Trials takes place from Wednesday 6th May to Sunday 10th May 2026 at Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire.

Dressage runs across Wednesday and Thursday, cross-country takes place on Saturday, and the show jumping and prize-giving conclude the event on Sunday. Trade stands and the shopping village are open across all five days, so even a mid-week visit offers a full and worthwhile day out.

How close is Lower Mill Estate to Badminton Estate?

Lower Mill Estate is located in the Cotswolds, in close proximity to Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire. The two locations sit in neighbouring areas of this corner of England, making Lower Mill one of the most conveniently placed luxury accommodation options for Badminton visitors who want genuine comfort without a long daily commute to the event.

The drive from Lower Mill Estate to Badminton is straightforward through the Cotswolds countryside. Leaving with a reasonable amount of time ahead of your target arrival at the showground — particularly on cross-country Saturday when traffic volumes are at their highest — will ensure a relaxed start to each day.

Can I bring my dog to the Badminton Horse Trials?

Yes — dogs on leads are welcome at the Badminton Horse Trials, which makes the event a firm favourite for dog owners who want to include their animals in the trip. The open parkland setting gives dogs plenty of space, though the crowds on cross-country Saturday can be significant, so mid-week dressage days tend to be a more relaxed option if your dog is not comfortable in very busy environments. Always bring water and check the official event guidance for any updated pet policies ahead of your visit.

Where can I buy tickets for the 2026 MARS Badminton Horse Trials?

Tickets for the 2026 MARS Badminton Horse Trials are sold through the official website at badminton-horse.co.uk. Single-day tickets are available for each of the five days, along with multi-day passes and hospitality packages for those wanting a more premium experience.

Cross-country Saturday is consistently the most popular day and the first to sell out, so if that is your priority day, securing tickets as soon as they go on sale is strongly advised. Gift vouchers are also available through the official site for anyone buying tickets as a present.

It is always worth monitoring the official website and the event's social channels for ticket release announcements and any early-bird availability, particularly if you are planning to attend across multiple days or book hospitality.

Is Badminton Horse Trials suitable for children and first-time visitors?

Absolutely. Badminton is one of those rare elite sporting events that manages to be genuinely accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages and levels of equestrian knowledge. The open parkland setting means children have space to move around, and the combination of live sport, shopping, food and dogs makes it a well-rounded day out even for visitors with no particular interest in eventing.

First-time visitors tend to do best when they approach the event without a rigid plan. Pick a couple of things you definitely want to see — a dressage test, a particular fence on the cross-country course, a specific trade stand — and then let the rest of the day unfold naturally. The atmosphere at Badminton has a way of doing the work for you.