A Glimpse Into: Badminton House, Gloucestershire

Badminton House is a large country house and Grade I Listed Building in Badminton, Gloucestershire, England, and the current home of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort. It has been the principal seat of the Dukes of Beaufort since the late 17th century, when the family moved from Raglan Castle, which had been ruined in the English Civil War. The house gives its name to the sport of badminton.

The Estate at Badminton contains the remains of several Roman Villas, and Badminton is recorded in the Domesday Book as ‘Madmintune’. The medieval House was owned by the Boteler family from whom, in 1612, Edward Somerset, fourth Earl of Worcester, purchased the manors of Great and Little Badminton.

Henry John Fitzroy Somerset, 12th Duke of Beaufort (born 22 May, 1952) announced his intention to divorce his first wife of 30 years, former actress Tracy Louise Ward (born 22 Dec 1958) and marry journalist Georgia Powell (born 18 February 1969).

The eccentric duke (who performs in his own rock band, The Listening Device) broke the news at his annual hunt ball in front of 800 guests at Badminton House. The marriage took place 30 April, 2018, at the Church of St Michael and All Angels, Badminton, Gloucestershire. Ms. Powell now bears the title of Duchess of Beaufort, while the duke’s previous wife will be known as Tracy, Duchess of Beaufort.

Badminton House, a 17th century mansion, sits on a 52,000-acre property, and has 38 rooms, including 20 bedrooms and bathrooms. It also contains an vast art collection that includes two Canaletto paintings. Weddings and parties can be booked at Badminton House, and occasionally, houses and a cottage on the estate can be rented. The estate was also the location for some scenes of the films The Remains of the Day, 28 Days Later and Pearl Harbor.

The current décor is a “freshening up” by Georgia, who is a classicist who likes things things are subtly redone, but in keeping with the aesthetic. Scroll through for a glimpse…

via Vogue