2018 at Blenheim Palace

Open all year round Blenheim Palace is the perfect place for all generations to enjoy. The Oxfordshire World Heritage Site has new and exciting exhibitions planned for 2018, as well as tours, talks, events and trails that all members of the family can engage with.

Exhibitions for 2018

Perfect for all the family, Blenheim Palace will be staging a new Victorian themed exhibition for 2018. Discover the incredible lives of Victorian staff at the Palace and learn about how the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough lived during the Victorian era. From 10 February – 16 April, 2018 visitors explore the veritable and vile Victorians.

Blenheim Art Foundation will also return in autumn 2018 to showcase a renowned contemporary artist at the Baroque Palace. The temporary Art Exhibition has featured artists including; Ai Wei Wei and Michelangelo Pistoletto and in 2017 Jenny Holzer. Each exhibition has transformed the Palace and offered visitors an exciting experience, viewing the 300 year old heritage site in a new way.

Talks & Tours for 2018

Visitors can discover the real 'Behind the Scenes' at Blenheim Palace, in a fascinating limited edition tour for 2018. 'Restoration & Conservation' will be the theme of the guided tours which will begin in the New Year as part of the extended opening season experience. The 'Restoration & Conservation' tour will be exclusively available from 9 January – 8 February 2017, running twice per day excluding Sundays. The new tours will tie in to the annual deep clean of Blenheim Palace which will now be on full to visitors during this period. The tour will give an in-depth look into what is being done in each of the State Rooms.

The new tours will look at two very important aspects of running a 300 year old Palace, including restoring a piece of art, building or tapestry to its original condition, as well as the preservation and repair of the historical and cultural site and its artefacts. The tour will also examine the theme of renovation, exploring how Blenheim Palace must also modernise and remain as a comfortable family home and appealing to visitors.

Heritage and Restorations Projects for 2018

Blenheim Palace will be investing £40million into restoring and conserving the Palace and Parkland in as part of an ambitious 10 year plan which was announced in spring 2017. Large-scale restoration projects for 2018 include; stonework and roof repairs to the west quadrant of the Palace and second phase of restoration to the Bladon bridge (including balustrade and laying of road).

Visitors will be able to see the restoration take place and each project will be followed across social media and in a series of blogs and image sequences.

Event Highlights for 2018

Blenheim Palace has a packed events calendar for 2018. Full of family fun and seasonal activities there is plenty to enjoy throughout the year.

Highlights include:

Chinese New Year Celebration. New for 2018 the exciting celebration will take place at the Palace on 17 February. With traditional performances, Chinese street food in the Great Court and a show of beautiful red lanterns everyone will enjoy seeing in the Year of the Dog.

Easter Carnival Fun. Celebrate the Easter weekend from 30 March – 2 April, 2018 at Blenheim Palace. With giant Easter Egg trails, special entertainment and a whole host of carnival fun there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Blenheim Palace Flower Show. The annual festival of flora and fauna returns from 22 – 24 June, 2018. The much-loved show will feature expert talks, floral displays and stalls for the gardener to enjoy.

BBC Countryfile Live. The popular outdoor show will return from 2-5 August, 2018. Meet the presenters of the popular Countryfile TV show and discover plenty of family fun from farmyard to kitchen garden.

Blenheim Palace Festival of Transport. August bank holiday fun returns from 26-27 August, 2018. The family-friendly festival will showcase the very best of motors – perfect for petrolheads and vintage lovers to enjoy.

Christmas at Blenheim Light Trail. The festive light trail will transform the 'Capability' Brown landscape at Blenheim Palace from 23 November, 2018 – 1 January, 2019. Perfect festive fun for all the family discover singing trees and beautiful light displays.

Find the full 2018 events list at blenheimpalace.com

What: 2018 at Blenheim Palace

Why Visit: Discover new and exciting interactive experiences at the Oxfordshire World Heritage Site. Blenheim Palace has a carefully curated year designed for all generations to enjoy.

Price: Palace, Park & Garden ticket Adult £26.00, Concession £23.00, Child £14.50

Website: blenheimpalace.com

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 70954

Notes to editors

• Concession price available for over-60s and students. Excludes weekends and Bank Holidays
• Blenheim Palace is a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
• Blenheim Palace is a member of the Treasure Houses of England, 10 of the most magnificent palaces, stately homes and castles in England www.treasurehouses.co.uk 

Annual Pass - Buy One Day, Get 12 Months Free!*

Donate your Palace, Park and Gardens admission on arrival to claim a free Annual Pass*. Enjoy entry to our World Heritage Site throughout the year for the price of one day, plus exclusive member benefits.

Enjoy these benefits:

• Free entry to events run by Blenheim Palace including Jousting Tournaments, the Blenheim Palace Food Festival, Blenheim Palace Flower Show and the Blenheim Palace Festival of Transport.
• Discount for family and friends on their first visit when you accompany them.
• A monthly e-newsletter with news of our latest events, offers, and competitions.
• Tickets to a selection of externally run events including the Battle Proms Picnic Concert, BBC Countryfile Live and 'Christmas at Blenheim'.

*Terms and conditions apply

Gift Aid

Founded in 2016 under the auspices of the 12th Duke of Marlborough, the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation Charity looks to safeguard the future of our World Heritage Site for centuries to come.

By agreeing to donate a Palace, Park and Gardens admission on arrival visitors can benefit from converting to a free Annual Pass*.

*You are eligible for Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer. The process costs you nothing but allows us to claim money back from the government on the tax that you have already paid. This means that for every £1 donated, we receive an extra £0.25, allowing us to invest even more in the upkeep of the Palace, its contents and surrounding Estate.

Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation

Registered charity 1166164