The Badminton Horse Trials is one of the most prestigious eventing competitions in the equestrian world. It takes place each May at the picturesque Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, which has been owned by the Somerset family since 1608. Badminton House remains a privately owned residence and is currently under the care of the 12th Duke of Beaufort, Harry Somerset.
First held in 1949, the event was originally created to help prepare British riders for international competition. Since then, it has evolved into one of the few elite 5* equestrian events in the world.
The competition comprises three phases: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. Competitors’ scores from each phase are combined to determine the overall winner. While the event attracts top-level riders from around the globe, participation is open to riders of all backgrounds—provided they meet the required qualifications.
For 2025, 83 horses and riders were entered for the event which was held from 7th to 11th May.
The event draws large crowds, particularly on the Saturday for the thrilling cross-country phase. Spectators come not only to witness the world-class equestrian competition but also to enjoy a wide range of attractions. These include an extensive shopping village, animal parades such as the popular Shetland Grand National, and an abundance of food and drink outlets catering to all tastes.
You may wonder why this article is of interest to South West Aviation Photographers. The connection lies in one of the more unique features of the Badminton Horse Trials: its airfield. While most visitors arrive by car, coach, bicycle, or on foot, the event also offers the option of arriving by air. The Badminton Estate has a long-established, unlicensed grass airfield with a 1,300-metre runway, situated conveniently adjacent to the event grounds.
This airfield provides a stylish and efficient means of access for airborne visitors, particularly those arriving by helicopter. It is operational from Thursday through Sunday during the event, offering aviation enthusiasts a rare opportunity to observe a variety of aircraft movements in a unique and scenic setting.
Badminton Airfield is believed to have been established in the 1930s by Lady Apsley who, together with her husband, served as a director of Western Airways. The de Havilland DH.84 Dragon (G-ACAO) was frequently seen operating from the airfield, likely due to the family having a residence in nearby Badminton village.
Although detailed records of the airfield’s early operations are limited, it experienced a resurgence of activity during the 1980s and 1990s. A parachute club was based there for many years, and the site hosted regular airshows and fly-ins, drawing both aviation enthusiasts and casual visitors. These activities came to an end when the parachute club ceased operations.
As of 2024, during the event only, the airfield now only accepts helicopters, with fixed-wing aircraft no longer permitted to land. This marked the end of an era, as the airfield had previously welcomed a wide variety of aircraft—from small general aviation types to larger models such as the Pilatus PC-12 and the Rockwell 690 Turbo Commander.
The images showcased in this article highlights some of the varied airfield visitors in the past few years of the event.
Report by Gary Morris
© South West Aviation Photographers 2025