The easy 2.5 miles (4km) walk is generally level, on village lanes and public rights of way. On the return there are views through the trees of Badminton House, the 17th century stately home of the 11th Duke of Beaufort. (The extra 600 metre circuit of the hamlet of Little Badminton has steeper gradients and is not recommended for hand-propelled wheelchairs). The path is closed during the Badminton Horse Trials.
Post office/shop in Badminton village. Pubs at Acton Turville (1 mile/1.6km) and Luckington (2 miles/3.2km).
Travel Info
Badminton Park is five miles (8km) north of junction 18 of the M4. Take the A46 and the B4040 to Acton Turville. At the village sign fork left and at a T-junction turn left. Cross the narrow railway bridge and continue for one mile (1.6km) to Badminton village. Here turn right and left, following two signs for the village hall. Approaching from the north turn left off the A46 onto a minor road signed Little Badminton, where you continue to Badminton, following the village street and then right to the car park.
Navigation
Facing the village hall, turn right and follow the lane into the village. At a sharp left hand bend, 1 go straight ahead into a lane marked PRIVATE ROAD (it is a public footpath) and carry on for 300 metres past farm buildings and paddocks. You enter Badminton Park through the park gates with a distinctive lodge house on your left, and then follow the avenue ahead which is lined by young trees.
With Park Pond on your right, fork left 2 and pass the horse trial arena. The drive dips and rises gently to another lodge and a gate at Little Badminton. 3 You return by the same route. All except wheelchair users may extend the walk by a circuit around (but outside) the irregular sloping village green of Little Badminton. Leaving the park turn right down a walled lane, then bear left up to farm buildings.
Turn left to pass Saint Michael’s and All Angels, a tiny 13th century church in a very large churchyard. It is currently closed for general access. After the church turn left downhill on a minor road, 4 with a good view of a dovecote. The gate back into the park is opposite.
Info
Difficulty
Easy
Length may vary, but the terrain is mainly flat
Moderate
Includes some hills and some rough ground
Strenuous
May be rough underfoot and ascents and descents may be steep
Info Suitability
Mobility scooter
These routes are more likely to be suitable for standard mobility scooters (not all-terrain models). They may feature flatter or smoother terrain.
Pushchair friendly
These routes are more likely to be suitable for prams or pushchairs. They may feature flatter or smoother terrain.
Stile free
These routes do not have stiles. Please note that they may have kissing gates or footbridges, and/or steep, narrow or muddy sections.
Trampers
These routes are more likely to be suitable for all-terrain mobility scooters. Please ensure you have plenty of battery and are well prepared for any routes.
Wheelchair friendly
These routes are more likely to be suitable for standard wheelchairs (not all-terrain models). They may feature flatter or smoother terrain.
