Burghley Horse Trials Transfers – Fixed Price Quote, Book Online 24/7
Burghley is the September counterpart to Badminton's May, held in the park of one of the great Elizabethan houses outside Stamford. The cross-country course runs over noticeably hillier ground, which makes it harder for the horses and harder on the legs of anyone following it.
Hillier Than Badminton, which is the difference riders talk about and spectators feel by mid afternoon. The same several miles of walking, over ground that goes up and down considerably more, in September rather than May.
Burghley and Badminton
The two five-star events, compared
They are a pair, and people who go to one usually end up going to both.
- SEASON
September against May
Autumn light, cooler mornings, and a different feel entirely. - TERRAIN
Hillier at Burghley
Undulating parkland rather than the flatter going at Badminton. - THE SETTING
Burghley House
One of the finest Elizabethan houses in England, and the backdrop to the whole event. - STAMFORD
Two miles away
A very good stone town, and a considerably nicer base than most event venues offer.
Kent to Lincolnshire
Up the M11 or A1. Stamford sits close to the main road, which helps at the end.
| Pick-up area | Distance | Each way |
|---|---|---|
| Dartford & Bluewater | 135 miles | 2h 40m – 3h 20m |
| Bromley & Orpington | 138 miles | 2h 45m – 3h 25m |
| Gravesend & Northfleet | 140 miles | 2h 45m – 3h 25m |
| Sevenoaks & Tonbridge | 145 miles | 2h 50m – 3h 30m |
| Rochester & Chatham | 150 miles | 2h 55m – 3h 35m |
| Maidstone & Aylesford | 154 miles | 3h – 3h 40m |
| Canterbury & Ashford | 178 miles | 3h 25m – 4h 10m |
September, not May
The seasonal difference is real, and it changes what belongs in the vehicle.
| Consideration | Note |
|---|---|
| Cooler mornings | Layers, and something for early on that comes off by lunchtime |
| Light goes earlier | The day ends sooner than at a May event |
| Ground can be firm or wet | September goes either way. Boots regardless |
| Hills | Which are felt more in warm weather than people expect |
| Stamford afterwards | Two miles away, and worth an hour before the drive home |
A day at Burghley
Stamford is the reason to make it a proper trip
Two miles from the park, built almost entirely in local stone, and one of the best small towns in England to spend an evening in. Groups who treat Burghley as a day return see the horses; groups who stay a night in Stamford come back saying it was the better weekend. Given it is three hours from Kent, either works, and we will price both.
The hills catch people out
Everyone arrives having been told about the walking, and the thing they are less prepared for is that at Burghley a good deal of it is uphill. The cross-country course uses the contours of the park deliberately, which is what makes it a proper test, and it means the same four or five miles feels considerably longer than the equivalent at Badminton.
Autumn kit, not summer kit
September in Lincolnshire can be a warm afternoon or a cold, wet one, and often both in a single day. Layers, waterproofs and boots regardless of the forecast, plus something for a cooler morning that can come off later. It all needs somewhere to go, so tell us the group size honestly and we will size the vehicle for the kit.
Three hours, and a straightforward approach
Up the M11 or A1 with Stamford sitting close to the main road, which makes the last stretch far easier than at Badminton or Cadwell. It is a genuinely manageable day return from Kent, and one of the more comfortable long journeys we run.
Burghley Horse Trials from London, the airports and cities, 20 to 200 miles
Fixed fares both ways with the return on the same page: all routes to Burghley Horse Trials.
Burghley questions
How does Burghley differ from Badminton?
Burghley is held in September rather than May, on noticeably hillier parkland, in the grounds of Burghley House outside Stamford. The two are a pair and many people go to both.
Is there as much walking?
Yes, several miles on cross-country day, and more of it uphill. The course uses the contours of the park deliberately, which is what makes it a proper test.
How far is Burghley from Kent?
Around a hundred and thirty-five to a hundred and eighty miles, roughly two and three quarter to four hours each way up the M11 or A1.
Can we do it as a day return?
Comfortably. Stamford sits close to the main road so the last stretch is straightforward, unlike at some of the other estate events.
Should we stay in Stamford?
If you can. It is two miles away, built almost entirely in local stone, and one of the best small towns in England for an evening.
What should we wear?
Boots and waterproofs, plus layers for a cooler September morning. Lincolnshire in September can give you a warm afternoon and a cold wet one on the same day.
Which day is the big one?
Cross-country day, as at Badminton. The dressage and show jumping days are calmer, seated and involve far less walking.
Is the fare fixed?
Yes, agreed before travel and unaffected by delays or how long you stay.
Equestrian events and the east
The autumn fixtures.
- Badminton Horse Trials
- Royal Windsor Horse Show
- Polo fixtures
- Cadwell Park
- Doncaster Races
- Newmarket Races
- Kent County Show
- Group & minibus hire
Travel guides
Closest airport to Burghley Horse Trials
East Midlands Airport is the closest airport to Burghley Horse Trials, roughly 49 road miles and about 94 minutes by car outside the peaks. For most scheduled international flights the best airport for Burghley Horse Trials is Luton Airport, about 66 miles and 124 minutes away, with far more routes and airlines; Birmingham Airport is the next option at around 70 miles.
| Airport | Road distance | Drive time | Fixed-fare taxi |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Midlands Airport (EMA) | 49 miles | about 94 min | Get fixed fare · EMA transfers |
| Luton Airport (LTN) | 66 miles | about 124 min | Get fixed fare · LTN transfers |
| Birmingham Airport (BHX) | 70 miles | about 130 min | Get fixed fare · BHX transfers |
| Stansted Airport (STN) | 75 miles | about 139 min | Get fixed fare · STN transfers |
| Heathrow Airport (LHR) | 101 miles | about 184 min | Get fixed fare · LHR transfers |
Best airport for Burghley Horse Trials: which one to fly into
Distance is only half the answer. Pick the airport with the right flight, then let us handle the road: every Rushxo airport taxi to Burghley Horse Trials is a fixed fare agreed before you book, the driver tracks your flight and meets you in arrivals with a name board, and waiting time for a late landing is built in. Popular searches: taxi from East Midlands Airport to Burghley Horse Trials, taxi from Luton Airport to Burghley Horse Trials, taxi from Birmingham Airport to Burghley Horse Trials.
Airport taxi to Burghley Horse Trials: how it works
- Fixed price per car, not per person, saloon to V Class minibus
- Meet and greet in arrivals, live traffic routing, name board
- Drop-off and pickup charges included in the fare
- Child seats and wheelchair-accessible vehicles on request
- Return to the airport after the event at the same fixed price
- 24/7, pre-booked, TfL and council licensed drivers
Book an airport taxi to Burghley Horse Trials → · 020 8888 9988
Three hours up, and Stamford at the end of it
Day, head count and whether you want the overnight. We will price both.