The grand Badminton House country Estate has been featured in a couple of recent articles including the current UK issue of House & Garden and the December issue of Vogue.
I happened to put an exceptionally striking photo that included a horse dwarfed by the imposing scale of the Great Hall on my Instagram and it got the most likes of anything I’ve ever posted! As it seemed to capture the imagination of so many, I thought I’d share other intriguing aspects of the storied Badminton House.
The current duchess of Beaufort and Matt Ramsden, Master of the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt with horse and hounds in the North Hall - photo by Simon Upton
Badminton House nestled in 52,000 acres in Gloucestershire is the country seat of the Dukes of Beaufort, which has remained in the same family for over 600 years. The present Duke moved into the house with his family in 1984.
Preserving the house’s elegance and grandeur with assistance from the quintessentially English fabric house Colefax & Fowler, the Duke’s subtle decorating additions are in keeping with the house’s heritage. As James Peill of House & Garden explains, “The Duke has an incredibly refined eye and natural style, having spent most of his working life at Marlborough Fine Arts one of the world’s leading art-dealerships, of which he is still Chairman.”
The Great Hall with 18th Century plaster rococo details and equestrian artworks by John Wooton makes the perfect setting for Vogue’s fashion shoot - Photo by Simon Upton
This is where Badminton was invented in 1863 - Photo by Simon Upton
The Duke takes a moment in his study which is unexpectedly cozy - Photo by Simon Upton
The library is stacked with rare editions and family portraits - Photo by Simon Upton
The fuchsia bedroom is one of twenty bedrooms and bathrooms - Photo by Simon Upton
An Asian themed bedroom with Chinese export wallpaper - the original of this bed by William & John Linnell is to be found at the V & A museum
Photo by Simon Upton
The duchess wearing Valentino couture in the Warm Conservatory Photo by Simon Upton
Photo by Simon Upton
Photo by Simon Upton
Badminton House with its Palladian-style architecture is nothing short of palatial
The rococo style Waiting Room decorated by Thomas Paty in 1750
The Great Dining Room showcases ancestral portraits
The Family Dining Room - the monogramed chair covers and jewel toned area rug adds a layer of warmth and comfort to an otherwise very grand room
In the East Room hangs family portraits that include the 1st Duke of Beaufort and his family
