14 Days / Departing: Tuesday 2nd May 2023 & ***Sold Out***
Returning: Monday 14th or 15th May 2023
Each year Snaffle Travel attends two of Great Britain’s major equestrian sporting events in the UK equestrian calendar. Our tours include a great mix of sightseeing, equestrian activities, an abundance of shopping opportunities with free time to experience so many wonderful places.
Badminton Horse Trials is one of the toughest and most exciting equestrian events in the world. Horses and riders complete the competition with a different discipline or phase each day. Horses and riders must complete a dressage test demonstrating obedience, discipline, accuracy, and elegance. Horses must be fit and athletic to complete a four-mile Cross Country ride jumping several solid man-made and natural obstacles within a set time. Finally, they must complete a course of show jumps designed to test their agility and accuracy at speed.
The Royal Windsor Horse Show is a horse show held annually since 1943 for five days in May in Windsor Home Park. The show is the only one in the United Kingdom to host an international competition for dressage, show jumping, carriage driving, and endurance riding with over 130 showing classes.
This is one of our most popular tours. Our clients love all the pomp and pageantry that goes with England. The gorgeous countryside with cute stone cottages, quaint English pubs and so many dogs everywhere. In London, a night out at a Westend Show, the Changing of the Royal Horse Guards, and a visit to the Royal Mews are not to be missed.
Overview
Our tours are small boutique tours that suit those who have an interest in equestrian. We provide a safe environment for solo and woman travellers who can enjoy the company of like-minded travellers. Our tours don’t just combine an equestrian experience but offer opportunities for the traveller to feel comfortable exploring, combining lots of fun and your tour host can show you hidden gems and places that you might not know about as a tourist.
Combined with amazing sightseeing including the historical Blenheim Palace and gardens. You will enjoy a visit to the Cotswolds with the pretty honey-stone cottages, and medieval churches, with assorted places to shop or have lunch at a traditional quaint English pub. You will love staying in the UNESCO town of Bath known as a well-being destination since Roman times, and a pretty city situated on the River Avon.
In London, you will experience what this great city has to offer including a visit to The Royal Mews to see the Queen’s famous carriages as well as see one of the last working Royal stables. Another favourite is a visit to the Changing of the Horse Guards at St James Palace and not forgetting an optional night out in the Westend.
Highlights
- Economy flights with Singapore Airlines from Australia & NZ to London
- Four full days at Badminton Horse Trials
- Monday includes the Show Jumping tickets in the Grandstand
- Two-day entry passes to the Royal Windsor show including Dressage, Show jumping, and Showing
- Royal Windsor Show with reserved seating in the Castle arena
- Royal Windsor Show includes the Freestyle dressage on Thursday with reserved seating
- 5 nights in Bath, and 5 nights in London
- Visit Blenheim Palace and its beautiful gardens
- Walking tour of the UNESCO city of Bath with sightseeing
- Visit the Cotswolds with plenty of time to explore
- London Oyster travel card and two days hop on hop off bus
- Royal Mews entrance fee and guided tour
- Optional free walking tour including Whitehall, Changing of the Horse Guards & Trafalgar Square in London
- Free time for personal discovery
- Opportunity to shop in London, Badminton HT village, & Royal Windsor Show
- Breakfast daily, three dinners including a welcome and farewell dinner
- Fully hosted tour
- Friends for company
Cost: From $6999.00 per person including return airfares* **Sold Out**
*Price is subject to currency fluctuations and some destinations may have an extra surcharge.
Inclusions
- Your Snaffle Travel host is on hand to assist with making your holiday a memorable one
- Return Airfares from Australia or New Zealand to London including taxes
- Guided sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Transportation and transfers as per itinerary
- Breakfast daily, 3 dinners including a welcome and farewell dinner
- Accommodation 4-star hotels with twin/double share rooms
- Room share options for single travellers on application
What’s not included
- Travel insurance, visas, vaccinations, and any Covid testing
- Drinks unless otherwise mentioned
- Laundry and any items of personal nature
- Tips if not included and anything not mentioned in the itinerary
**Note: Pricing is subject to change prior to final payment due to currency fluctuation
Photos
ITINERARY
Day 1: Tuesday 02 May 2023
Australia or New Zealand – London
Welcome to Snaffle Travel. Travel to London from departure points around Australia and New Zealand. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the airline’s inflight entertainment as we travel to London.
Day 2: (D) Wednesday 03 May 2023
London – Blenheim Palace – Bath
On arrival at London Heathrow airport, your tour host will escort you to the coach and travel to the historical Blenheim Palace en route to our hotel. Our visit to Blenheim Palace includes an audio-guided tour of the Palace with time to explore the magnificent gardens and enjoy lunch at your own expense. After lunch, we head to the UNESCO town of Bath for the next five nights where we are located to visit Badminton Horse Trials.
This evening the group will meet for a tour briefing before enjoying a welcome dinner at our hotel. (Airport transfer, entrance to Blenheim Palace & Gardens, and dinner included.)
Hotel: Double Tree Hilton 4-star hotel in Bath or similar
Day 3: (B) Thursday 04 May 2023
Bath – Cotswolds – Bath
After breakfast join your private Blue Badge guide for a walking tour of Bath to explore this beautiful Georgian city with delightful crescents, terraces, and architecture including the Roman Baths built over 2,000 years ago. See elegant honey-coloured crescents, beautiful Georgian squares, and the delightful scenery along the banks of the River Avon. You’ll be able to enjoy views of the famous Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey.
Afterward, travel to the picturesque villages of the Cotswolds. The first stop is Bourton-on-the-Water with free time to enjoy lunch at own expense and wander around this lovely Cotswold town. On our return to Bath a stop in Burford, often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds,’ with the lovely honey-coloured old stone houses and attractive Tudor and Georgian frontages. (Walking tour of Bath and coach transfers to the Cotswolds.)
Hotel: Double Tree Hilton 4-star hotel in Bath or similar
Day 4: (B) Friday 05 May 2023
Bath – Badminton Horse Trials – Bath
This morning after breakfast travel to the Badminton Horse Trials for the first day of the dressage. Watch your favourite riders competing and see them ride their dressage tests. Today you will have time to explore the trade stands as well as the option of a cross-country course walk with a well-known celebrity rider Lucinda Green who has won Badminton six times. (Transfers and entry to Badminton Horse Trials included).
Hotel: Double Tree Hilton 4-star hotel in Bath or similar
Day 5: (B) Saturday 06 May 2023
Bath – Badminton Horse Trials – Bath
Today is the second day of dressage with more of your favourite riders competing and another great day to explore the trade stands. You may like to take a stroll independently around the cross-country course. The dressage will pause during the King’s Coronation and will be broadcast live from the Televisions situated around the grounds. You may like to choose to stay in Bath and have a rest day and watch the King’s Coronation from the comfort of the Hotel. (Transfers and entry to Badminton Horse Trials included).
Hotel: Double Tree Hilton 4-star hotel in Bath or similar
Day 6: (B,D) Sunday 07 May 2023
Bath – Badminton Horse Trials – Bath
This morning we travel to Badminton Horse Trials for the cross-country day which is the most popular day. This is an exciting day with loads of action and thrills. See your local Aussie or NZ heroes and the international riders tackle the cross-country course. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and review the exciting action of cross-country day. (Transfers and entry to Badminton Horse Trials included and dinner at a local restaurant).
Hotel: Double Tree Hilton 4-star hotel in Bath or similar.
Day 7: (B) Monday 08 May 2023
Bath – London
Today is the final day with the show jumping and the leaders overnight just have to take one rail and they may drop a place or two. So, it’s nail-biting stuff. After the prize-giving meet your driver at the planned departure point. The coach will then make the journey to the London hotel for your next three nights. The London hotel is conveniently located close to restaurants, public transport, and Hyde Park. This evening is at leisure. (Coach transfers and entry to Badminton HT with a seat in the grandstand for the show jumping.)
Hotel: Overnight 3-Star hotel, Lancaster Gate Hotel or similar
Day 8: (B) Tuesday 09 May 2023
London
This morning after a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a visit to the Royal Mews with a behind-the-scenes tour of the workings of a royal stable and see the beautiful, ornate royal state carriages.
The rest of the day you can enjoy London at leisure with you hop on bus pass. Perhaps a visit to St Paul’s Cathedral or one of the many other sights in around London, a stroll through Hyde Park or browse through Harrods or one of the other famous department stores. (London transport card, London hop-on bus & Royal Mews entry included.) Hotel: Overnight 3-Star hotel, Lancaster Gate Hotel
Day 9: (B) Wednesday 10 May 2023
London
A free day to explore London at leisure! There are so many places yet to be discovered with your hop-on hop-off bus pass. Some of our favourites include Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Westminster, Trafalgar Square, and London Tower. You might like to watch “The Changing of the Horse Guards” at St James Palace and your tour host can escort you here.
Another highlight is the optional shows on offer in the Westend. (London Oyster transport card and hop-on hop-off bus pass included.) Hotel: Overnight 3-Star hotel, Lancaster Gate Hotel
Day 10: (B) Thursday 11 May 2023
Outer London – Windsor – Outer London
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the Royal Windsor Horse Show. You will have ample time to wander around the horse show at leisure and check out the hack classes, and watch the thrilling Shetland Grand National. Another highlight is the international entertainers and the exciting 5-star international show jumping which includes famous riders who have also competed at the Olympics.
The Free Style Dressage is on later today, and you are bound to see some of your favourite stars like Carl Hester and maybe Charlotte Dujardin maybe back competing here after her maternity leave. (Coach Transfers, Royal Windsor Show entry, and reserved seating in the Castle arena). Hotel: 4-star Doubletree Hilton, London Heathrow
Day 11: (B,D) Friday 12 May 2023
Outer London – Windsor – Outer London
This morning travel by coach to the Royal Windsor Horse Show and enjoy more highlights of the Show. See more riding classes, explore the shops, and watch world-class international show jumping as well as entertainment. You may even spot one of the Royals in the Royal box overseeing the events in the castle arena.
After lunch, you might like to visit Windsor Castle or explore the township. Later transfer to your hotel close by and enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel. (Coach transfers, Royal Windsor Show entry, and farewell dinner included.) Hotel: 4-star Doubletree Hilton, London Heathrow
Day 12: (B) Saturday 13 May 2023
London Heathrow Airport
The tour finishes today after breakfast. Meet your transfer to Heathrow Airport for your flight back to Australia/New Zealand today. (Airport transfer included.)
If you would like to stay on longer we are more than happy to help with other accommodation, tours, car hire, and other travel arrangements.
Day 13: Sunday 14 May 2023
London – Australia / New Zealand
Welcome Home! We thank you for joining us for your latest adventure and look forward to welcoming you on another Snaffle Travel tour soon!
ENQUIRE NOW for a fully detailed itinerary – Tour pricing is out now….
Burghley Horse Trials 2023
