On Friday 21 August, Badminton Estate was delighted to welcome members of the Coaching Club for a special driving meet, bringing one of Britain’s most enduring equestrian traditions back to the estate.
Six traditional Park Drags, each drawn by a team of four horses, travelled a 6.5-mile route through the estate. Setting off from the North Front of Badminton House, the coaches journeyed to Worcester Lodge before returning through the historic parkland
The visit provided a rare opportunity to see historic horse-drawn coaching in action and highlighted Badminton’s long-standing connection with the Coaching Club.
© John F. Stiles
A Historic Connection to Badminton
The story began in 1856, when a group of enthusiastic amateur coachmen founded the Four-in-Hand Club to promote and celebrate the sport of coaching. Charles Henry Somerset, the 8th Duke of Beaufort, became President. His seat was at Badminton House, and his passion and skill as a coachman quickly made him an influential figure in the coaching world.
As interest in coaching grew, the Club proposed a new organisation in 1870 to welcome a wider membership of coachmen. This led to the formation of the Coaching Club in 1871. The Duke of Beaufort once again took the role of President, becoming the Club’s first President and helping to establish its traditions and identity.
The Coaching Club held its first meet on 27 June 1871, when 22 coaches gathered in London. The Prince of Wales attended, and the Duke led the procession through Hyde Park before members continued to Greenwich for dinner. Later that year, the membership formally elected him as President.
The Duke’s influence remains part of the Club today. Members adopted the Beaufort livery in recognition of his leadership. The uniform features dark blue coats, buff waistcoats and gilt buttons engraved with the initials “CC”. More than 150 years later, Coaching Club members still wear these distinctive colours.
Preserving a Living Tradition
The arrival of the motor car transformed transport in the early twentieth century, but the Coaching Club survived while many similar organisations disappeared. Today, the Club continues to preserve the art of coaching and regularly holds meets at some of the country’s finest estates and historic locations.
Membership is by invitation only, and driving members are experienced coachmen who own and drive their own teams. The Club continues the traditions established in the nineteenth century while keeping four-horse coaching alive for future generations.
Coaching Through the Estate
As the teams travelled through Badminton’s parkland, local residents and visitors gathered to watch the coaches follow the Estate’s historic routes. Both the Four-in-Hand Club and the Coaching Club have long attracted public interest, and it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying this traditional spectacle at Badminton once again.
The sight of beautifully presented horses and carriages moving through the Estate offered a glimpse into its rich sporting heritage. It was also a reminder that this historic tradition remains very much alive today.
A Memorable Day at Badminton Estate
The Coaching Club’s visit celebrated more than 150 years of history and tradition. It also highlighted the close connection between the Club and Badminton Estate, which stretches back more than a century and a half.
We were delighted to welcome members, local residents and visitors to the Estate and see so many people enjoying this unique part of Britain’s coaching heritage.
© John F. Stiles