Badminton House is a grand estate located in Gloucestershire, England. Built in the early 17th century, it has a long and fascinating history, and is now home to the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort. But while they are the official owners of the property, the question remains: does anyone actually live at Badminton House?
History of Badminton House
Badminton House was first built in 1608 by Thomas, 1st Viscount of Weymouth. It was then passed down to the 2nd Viscount, who extended the estate in 1686. The 3rd Viscount, Thomas Robinson, was a close friend of King George III, and the house was visited by many members of the royal family.
In 1891, the property was sold to the Duke of Beaufort, who is the current owner. The house has been in the possession of the Beaufort family ever since, and has been opened to the public since the 1950s.
The Current Residents
The current Duke and Duchess of Beaufort are Hugh and Amanda, who are the 11th Duke and Duchess. They are the official owners of the estate, but they do not actually live at Badminton House. Instead, they reside at the nearby Badminton Lodge, which has been their home since the 1950s.
The Badminton Estate is still very much a working estate, with a number of staff and tenants living and working on the grounds. These include the gamekeepers and farm workers, who have been employed by the Beaufort family for generations.
The Badminton Estate
Badminton House is part of a much larger estate, encompassing over 8,000 acres of land. This includes the Badminton Estate, which consists of a number of properties, farms, and woodland. The estate is managed by the Badminton Estate Company, which is owned by the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort.
The estate is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and badgers. There are also a number of rare breeds of livestock, including the Badminton Horse, which is a type of Shire horse.
The Estate Today
Today, Badminton House is open to the public, and visitors can explore the house and its grounds. The house itself is a Grade I listed building, and is considered to be one of the finest examples of English Baroque architecture.
The house is also home to the Badminton Library, which contains over 40,000 volumes, including works by Shakespeare and the Bronte sisters.
The house is surrounded by formal gardens, and visitors can take part in guided tours of the grounds. The house is also available for private hire, and is a popular venue for weddings and other events.
Conclusion
So, does anyone live at Badminton House? The answer is no. The house is owned by the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, but they do not actually reside there. Instead, they live in the nearby Badminton Lodge, which has been their home since the 1950s.
However, while they may not live in the house, the Badminton Estate is still very much a working estate, with a number of staff and tenants living and working on the grounds. It is also open to the public, and visitors can explore the house and its grounds.