Badminton House, an iconic country estate located in South Gloucestershire, England, is the ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, one of the most influential families in the United Kingdom. The house and estate have a long and fascinating history, with the original house being built in the late 16th century.
History and Ownership of Badminton House
The Badminton Estate has been in the hands of the same family since 1607, when Thomas Somerset was granted the land by King James I. Thomas was the younger son of Edward Somerset, the 4th Earl of Worcester, and the original house was a modest manor house. Over the centuries, the house and estate have been expanded and developed, with the current house having been built in 1738.
The house and estate have been owned by the Somerset family since 1607, with the current Duke of Beaufort being the twelfth generation of the family to live at the house. In addition to the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, the house is also home to their four children.
The Architecture and Design of Badminton House
The house is a large, Neo-classical Palladian-style building, set in a large parkland estate. The house was designed by the renowned architect James Wyatt and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Palladian-style architecture in the United Kingdom.
The house is surrounded by extensive gardens and parkland, including a lake, and is a popular tourist attraction. The house itself is open to the public, with guided tours of the house, the gardens and the estate available.
Badminton House and the Beaufort Family
The Beaufort family have been closely associated with Badminton House for centuries, since the house was first built in the 16th century. The house and estate have been used for a variety of purposes over the centuries, from entertaining guests, to hosting sporting activities such as hunting and cricket.
The family have also been involved in a number of other activities in the area, such as founding schools and churches, and the house has been used as a filming location for a number of films and television shows, such as Downton Abbey.
Conclusion
Badminton House is an iconic country estate located in South Gloucestershire, England, and has been in the hands of the same family since 1607. The house is a large, Neo-classical Palladian-style building, set in a large parkland estate, and is surrounded by extensive gardens and parkland. The house and estate have been used for a variety of purposes over the centuries, and the Beaufort family have been closely associated with the house for centuries. The house is open to the public, with guided tours of the house, the gardens and the estate available.