Our Story
A Family Run Business
The Badminton Retreat is a family owned company run from Bartletts Bridge Stud, in Wedmore, Somerset.
Founded by husband and wife partnership Barny and Emily Lee, 2025 will be The Retreat’s fifth year at Badminton. After four fantastic years from 2019 to 2024, The Retreat has built a reputation as the place to enjoy some downtime, fine food and drink and a bit of RnR away from the crowds.
The Badminton Retreat is the only official glamping site for the Badminton Horse Trials, to be held on 7th – 11th May 2025.
Eventing Roots
Barny and Emily are no strangers to Badminton. Emily has competed at the prestigious 5* event on several occasions during her professional eventing career. Barny also competed successfully to 4*.
In fact, Barny and Emily first met while competing together on the British Pony Europeans in 1993, winning team Silver. They married in 2005.
Today Emily is a sought after event coach and is a regional under 18 coach in the South West for British Eventing.
Barny and Emily are also proud parents to Jonny 17 years and George 13 years. Jonny is following in his mum and dad’s footsteps, and is now competing at 2*/Intermediate level.
The Marquee Business
Barny Lee is owner and director of Barny Lee Marquees, The Retreat’s sister company. His respected marquee and furniture hire business has been providing services to the wedding, parties and events industry since 2003.
The Retreat Beginnings
In 2017, Barny decided to extend their marquee offerings by setting up a luxury glamping field on the edge of Glastonbury festival. The Glastonbury Retreat has consistently sold out since 2017, and is now a regular fixture in the top end Glastonbury glamping accommodation scene.
The Badminton Retreat
With such close ties to Badminton Horse Trials, Barny and Emily felt it was a natural progression to extend the glamping business to provide for the major Three Day Event world.
Emily and Barny would like to thank all of guests who have enjoyed a wonderful experience with us at The Badminton Retreat. The Retreat team are now looking forward to welcoming old friends and new guests and visitors to this little piece of glamping heaven at Huntsmans Close in 2025.
Our exclusive glamping site has limited spaces, book now to avoid disappointment.
