Gatcombe Park

Gatcombe Park is a country house in Gloucestershire, England, set between the villages of Minchinhampton and Avening, about five miles south of the town of Stroud. Since 1976 it has been the country home of Anne, Princess Royal, and today it is the main residence of the Princess and her husband, Vice-Admiral Timothy Laurence. It is a private estate, so a visit works differently from a typical castle or stately home.

What is Gatcombe Park?

The house dates from the 1770s, but its present form comes from a rebuilding that began around 1820. The architect was George Basevi and the client was the economist David Ricardo, one of the best-known thinkers of his day. The building is Grade II* listed, a category reserved for particularly important buildings of more than local interest. Sources disagree about who designed the original house, so the authorship of the earliest phase remains unclear.

Who lives here, and since when?

The estate came into royal hands in 1976. According to published accounts, the Queen bought it as a wedding present for Anne and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips. After their divorce in 1992, Phillips moved to nearby Aston Farm while the Princess stayed on at Gatcombe. The estate covers roughly 700 to 730 acres, and its day-to-day focus is farming and a stud.

Horse trials and events on the grounds

For about 40 years Gatcombe Park was closely linked with British equestrian sport. It hosted the Gatcombe Horse Trials, and each August the Festival of British Eventing took place here, one of the notable fixtures of the competition calendar. In 2024 it was announced that the large event would not continue, with high running costs after the pandemic given as the reason. Smaller spring and autumn trials, on courses designed by the Princess herself, still take place on the estate. Parts of the grounds are also opened for other events, such as craft fairs.

Can you visit Gatcombe Park?

The house is a private home and does not operate as a museum. Access to the grounds depends on whether an event is being held, such as a horse trial or a craft fair. Before travelling, check the current events calendar and entry rules, because the programme changes from year to year and some events have ended.

Planning a visit

Gatcombe lies in the Cotswolds hills near Minchinhampton and Avening, so it combines well with a day out in the region. The nearest larger town is Stroud, about five miles away. If you are interested in architecture, the house is a good example of an English country residence from the early nineteenth century. If riding is more your interest, look for details of the smaller trials held in spring and autumn.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gatcombe Park open to visitors? Not day to day. It is a private residence, and parts of the grounds can be entered during selected events.

Who owns it? Anne, Princess Royal, has lived here since 1976.

Where is it? In Gloucestershire, between Minchinhampton and Avening, around five miles south of Stroud.

Are horse trials still held there? The large festival ended in 2024, but smaller spring and autumn trials still take place.