Badminton
Badminton (population 271) is a village as well as civil parish in Gloucestershire, England. It consists of Great Badminton as well as Little Badminton. In 1612 Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester, purchased from Nicholas Boteler his mansions of Great as well as Little Badminton, called Madmintune in the Domesday Book while one century earlier the name Badimyncgtun was recorded, held by that family since 1275. The town houses the Duke of Beaufort's home, Badminton Residence, which has actually been the major seat of the Somerset family given that the late 17th century. Badminton House also provides its name to the sport of badminton. The village is famous for its equine tests, which happen in very early May every year in the grounds of Badminton House.