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- Facilities at Burghley
- Local Information
- Tickets
- Travel & Transport
- Useful Information
- Using The Course
Facilities at Burghley
Baby changing facilities are available; for the Public behind the Main Arena South Stand and for Members behind the Members’ Enclosure marquee. No Creche facility is available.
ATMs are available around the shopping village, and are marked on the showground maps.
We strongly recommend that visitors with dogs use the dog crèche sited adjacent to the Exhibition Village.
Booking for Sunday afternoon (1.30 pm until end of show jumping) is essential and will be charged at £25 per dog.
Thursday - Sunday morning the Dog Crèche is available from 9.00 am – 5.00 pm, no booking needed. Dogs can be left for a maximum of four hours at a time at a cost of £5 per dog per hour.
For further information, or to book, please call Steve Penistone at Samsalin Dog Rescue on 07764 489 919 - non refundable pre payment via card will be required at the time of booking.
All proceeds will go to Samsalin Dog Rescue.
There is an excellent selection of bar and catering facilities to suit all tastes, from a more formal lunch in the Members' Enclosure to worldly delicacies in the Burghley Food Walk and food exhibitors on the showground and Cross Country course.
To download a copy of the Food & Drink locations map please click below:
Our very own Radio station, BHT Radio, keeps our visitors updated with expert commentary and analysis throughout the event and also includes a range of guests live on air each day, giving the inside track on activities around the showground.
Earpieces are available to purchase in advance from the Box Office and from Programme Booths on the showground.
BHT Radio is also available via 87.7 FM within a 10 mile radius of Burghley Park so that visitors can tune in on the drive to the event to hear the latest news and information.
For those Defender Burghley fans not able to attend the event itself, BHT Radio is streamed live via this website and round-up podcasts are also available all year round.
To watch the Dressage and Show Jumping phases in the Main Arena you will need grandstand tickets and these sell out quickly, particularly for Sunday. However, you can follow the competition on our giant screens around the showground at the following locations:
- Next to the Scoreboard (Thursday-Sunday)
- Exhibition Village (Thursday -Sunday)
- Defender Trout Hatchery (Saturday only)
- Main Arena (Saturday only)
- Picnic Area by Rural Crafts (Sunday only)
Open from 9am-5.30pm on all four days of the event. Make use of our Shop & Drop facility, manned by our Charity of the Year, My Name'5 Doddie - for a suggested donation of £5 – which goes directly to the charity – shoppers don’t need to lug around their purchases, but may leave them in a safe place and pick them up before they go home.
Toilets are situated around the showground and cross country course. These are marked on the map in the programme and on You Are Here maps around the showground.
Local Information
Accommodation in and around Stamford gets booked up early in the year. General information about hotels, bed and breakfast and other accommodation can be obtained from:
- Stamford Tourist Information Centre: 01780 755611 or click here
- Visit Lincolnshire: click here
- Peterborough Destination Centre: 01733 452336 or click here
- Caravan Membership: Click here
- South Kesteven: Click here
Burghley House, Gardens and Adventure Play will be closed during the Horse Trials. For Burghley House enquiries, please telephone 01780 752451 or visit www.burghley.co.uk
Luxury glamping was available for the first time on Burghley Estate in 2019 during the Defender Burghley Horse Trials.
Set within the beautiful Walled Garden on Burghley Estate, Burghley Boutique provided guests with spacious, well lit Bell and Lotus Belle tents from renowned and experienced Portobello Tents. Every tent comes fully equipped with memory foam mattresses, 13.5 tog duvets and Egyptian cotton bed sheets. Secure parking, luxury toilets, food and a bar were also supplied to ensure that every need is catered for.
The Walled Garden is approximately a 15 minute walk to Defender Burghley Horse Trials and tickets to the Event were not included in the Glamping package. Glamping customers are strongly recommended to purchase their Defender Burghley tickets in advance in order to benefit from the advance prices.
Further details regarding glamping can be found at www.burghleyboutique.co.uk
Look outside the glorious parkland hosting Burghley’s horse trials and you will find another five star attraction; South Kesteven. Fabulous countryside, stately homes and castles, sumptuous gardens and intriguing heritage along with the charming market towns of Stamford, Oakham and of course, Rutland Water all waiting to be explored.
- First Choice Taxis: 01780 752748 - 1stchoicetaxisofstamford.co.uk
- Ace Cabs: 01780 767676
- Harrier Cabs: 01780 765175
- 3 Star Taxis: 01780 753300
- Clapham Taxis: 01780 764161
- Premier Cabs Of Stamford: 01780 766155
- Star Taxis: 01780 763245
- Ag Silver Taxis: 01780 482800
- 1st Class Cars: 01780 767733
- Carlton Cabs: 01780 755755
Tickets
‘The Burghley Collection by Joules ’ merchandise is available to purchase from mid-August.
Available to purchase from 4pm at the Wednesday Horse Inspection and around the showground from Thursday morning onwards.
Travel & Transport
By Car
The Event is clearly sign-posted. Using satnav, the postcode PE9 3JY will direct you towards Burghley House. Once you see the temporary yellow signs, please follow these and turn off your satnav.
- Members’ car pass: Gate 1-Pilsgate Lodge on Barnack Road (B1443).
- Public and season car pass & disabled badge holders: Gate 4-Station Gate (B1443) & Gate 5-Bottle Lodges (B1081).
Particularly on Saturday, you are strongly advised to allow an extra hour for the last 10 miles of your journey.
NB The Police or Traffic Management company may be required to redirect you to another entrance. The Traffic Management outside of Burghley Park is within the authority of the Police.
Please note that all of the car parks are within the grounds of the event therefore car passes and admission tickets are required to enter. These can be purchased on entry. Click here to see a map of car park locations.
*A1 Northbound Planned Roadworks*
We'd like to draw your attention to the recently announced A1 diversion for northbound traffic on Saturday and Sunday of the 2024 event between Sandy and the Black Cat Roundabout. Further information can be found on the National Highways website.
By Train
The train line to Stamford runs from Birmingham, Leicester, Nuneaton or Peterborough. It takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to walk into the Event from Stamford station. National Rail Enquiries: 08457 484950, www.nationalrail.co.uk
By Coach
Please telephone the Travel Line public transport information line on 0871 200 2233.
Helicopters and Light Aircraft – it is not possible to land within Burghley Park
Please contact the following local airfields to make prior arrangements:
- Aerolease Ltd, Conington, Peterborough (01487) 834161, info@flying-club-conington.co.uk
- Sibson Airfield, Wansford, Peterborough, PE8 6NE (01832) 280289
Nearest Main International Airports
- East Midlands Airport – 46 miles
- Birmingham Airport – 71 miles
- London Stansted Airport – 72 miles
- London Luton Airport – 74 miles
- London City Airport – 98 miles
- London Heathrow Airport – 104 miles
- London Gatwick Airport – 134 miles
Useful Information
Children's Tickets | New for 2024 - children aged 5 and over are now required to purchase a ticket. There is also a new discounted price for children between 12-16 years of age. A free infant ticket is required for under 5s.
Children's Entertainment & Activities
Defender Burghley is great family day out with a whole host of fun activities and entertainment for children of all ages to enjoy. New for 2024, don't miss the action packed Family Zone where you'll find Miniature Defenders, Hobby Horse Riding, Pottery Painting, Face Painting, Storytelling and more. Visit our For Families page for the all details and to plan your family day out at Burghley.
Children's Wristbands
If bringing children to Defender Burghley please make sure that you collect your free children’s ID wristband from a Programme Kiosk, the Box Office, Organiser’s Office, Information Point, face painting stand or the Site Office as these wristbands help us to quickly reunite lost children with their parents.
Burghley Horse Trials Office
Barnack Road
Stamford,
Lincs, PE9 2LH
Tel: +44 (0)1780 752 131
Email: horsetrials@burghley.co.uk
- Admission: each disabled visitor requires the appropriate admission ticket and one accompanying carer will be admitted free of charge, please call the box office on 01780752131 with proof to obtain your complimentary ticket.
- Parking: Limited forward parking is available to blue badge holders on a first come first served basis. The Disabled Car Park can be accessed via Gate 4: Station Gate, Barnack Road (what3words: ///task.laws.asset) – to access this car park, you will need to clearly display your blue badge.
There is a shuttle service in operation from the Disabled Car Park to the East Stand each day. This will be in operation between 8.30am-11am and 3pm-5.30pm on Thursday and Friday, 7.30am-10.30am and 3pm-6pm on Saturday and 8.30am-11am and 3pm-5.30pm on Sunday. (The shuttle service is able to accommodate wheelchairs). - There is also limited amount of forward parking available to blue badge holders at the front of each car park on a first come first served basis; blue badge holders diverted to or entering gates other than Gate 4 will be parked as close as possible to the front of the car park at that time.
- Main Arena Viewing: there will be a limited number of spaces to purchase in the North Stand, Block E for disabled visitors with wheelchairs/scooters. These bookings can be made via our Box Office, telephone: 01780 75131.
- Toilets: there are disabled access toilets situated around the showground and cross country course .These are clearly marked on the You Are Here maps around the showground.
- Mobility scooters: Subject to availability, Event Mobility provides electric scooters and manual wheelchairs for the use of our disabled, elderly and mobility impaired visitors. For further enquiries, please contact Event Mobility on 01386 725391, or to book in advance (recommended), visit: www.eventmobility.org.uk. All proceeds go to Event Mobility. Please be aware that advance bookings cannot be made by phone and that this facility often becomes fully booked before the Event. Anyone collecting an Event Mobility vehicle should enter through Gate 4: Station Gate, Barnack Road (what3words: ///task.laws.asset)
Dogs accompanying visitors at Burghley Horse Trials must be kept under control and on a short lead at all times (extending leads are not permitted). Take particular care in busy areas not to inconvenience other visitors and our exhibitors, and in the vicinity of the Cross Country fences. Try to avoid taking your dog into confined areas where food is being served or consumed. Please ensure that your dog is sufficiently mature to withstand the pressures and crowds experienced at a large outdoor Event. Please clean up after your dog – bags are available around the showground.
Assistance Dogs only are permitted in the Grandstand, restaurants and indoor area of the Members Enclosure.
New for 2024, Dog Friendly Area in the Members' Garden - dedicated area of outside seating for Members bringing dogs.
There are no special parking concessions for vehicles containing dogs and if distressed, they will be removed from vehicles by the RSPCA/Police.
Drones are not permitted in any area of the event at any time.
3 - 7 September 2025
The terrain in the Park may not be suitable for visitors with certain medical conditions. We advise you to wear practical footwear and to be aware that it could be difficult to move around freely and easily.
If you have lost or found an item during the Event, please go to the Organiser’s Office (opposite the Members’ Enclosure).
After the Event, please telephone 01780 752131 to check for lost property. We retain lost property for three months, after which point any unclaimed items are donated to a local charity shop.
- Gates open: 7.30 am
- Members’ Enclosure open: 8.00 am
- Shops open: 9.00 am – 5.30 pm Thursday to Saturday, 9 am – 5.00 pm Sunday
- Please note that the showground closes at 5.00 pm on Sunday and there is no admittance to Burghley Park after 3.30 pm on this last day.
Particularly on Saturday, you are strongly advised to allow an extra hour for the last 10 miles of your journey.
These are available via the home page of this website as soon as the information becomes available
Shops are open Thursday to Saturday: 9.00 am – 5.30 pm, Sunday: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm.
All the action (from the first trot up to the final presentations), including arena demonstrations, expert commentary, behind the scenes interviews, daily highlights show and archive footage back to 1990 are available on Burghley TV for a £20 annual subscription. Sign up to Burghley TV here
Broadcast Rights
Burghley Horse Trials Ltd is the sole owner of the worldwide broadcast and electronic media rights for the Defender Burghley Horse Trials: including broadcasting on any and all television, radio, and internet platforms.
Any organisation and/or individual wishing to broadcast or requiring footage of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials for any use whatsoever must apply in advance and in writing for a Licence.
Initial applications should be made to Catherine Austen at Burghley Horse Trials Ltd via media@burghley.co.uk
Due to the Park's terrain, it may not be suitable for spectators with certain medical conditions. Everybody is advised to wear suitable footwear and should be aware that there may be times when it could be difficult to move around freely and easily.
The seasonal weather at Burghley can range from being hot and dry to torrential rain; please ensure that you dress comfortably and come prepared.
Using The Course
New for 2024 - Official course walks will be available on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th September, either a full course walk for the true equestrian enthusiast which will cover over 5km or a shortened version which will cover at least 5 key fences, but will always remain in close proximity of the main shopping village, both will be held with 5* riders with a maximum of 25 people on each.
This is a perfect way to gain an insight into Derek di Grazia’s exciting new course for 2024 and will also give you plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
Full Course walk - approx. 3hrs £40
Short Course walk - approx. 1.5hrs £25
Please wear trainers or walking shoes and bring a water bottle.
The ground compaction caused by so many pairs of feet causes long-term damage to the sward, reducing the effectiveness of the irrigation, which is essential to provide good going.
Burghley has invested heavily in sophisticated irrigation equipment to ensure competitors the best possible going. The cross country track is fenced all year round and receives first class ground management from Philip Herbert – our Clerk of the Course. This policy has been rewarded and riders travel their horses from all over the world to compete at Burghley.
If you wish to organise a private course walk, please contact us at horsetrials@burghley.co.uk or telephone 01780 752131, to discuss. As in previous years, if we agree your course walk and you intend to charge participants, we request a minimum contribution of 15% of your total takings be donated to our charity of the year, My Name'5 Doddie.