This summer Blenheim Palace is celebrating the life of arguably Britain's greatest soldier and statesman with a spectacular outdoor event. 

On 30th - 31st July the Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site hosts Marlborough 300 – a pageant to commemorate the 300th anniversary of John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough. 

A courageous leader in battle, Marlborough's victories over Louis XIV forever changed the face of Europe and led to Sir Winston Churchill, his ancestor who was born at Blenheim, to describe him as Britain's greatest ever general.

The Pageant will tell the story of John Churchill's early life, from his birth in 1650 to his emergence in society and at Court, his role as a soldier in the Sedgemoor campaign of 1685, and his relationship with his beloved wife Sarah.

With two exciting Arena shows each day re-enacting a Horse Race Meeting at the Court of Charles II and a battle from 1685, you can expect action, horses, muskets, flags, drums and cavalry charges.

Meet John and Sarah Churchill and hear their story as they interact with the audience, giving details of their life and family, and the period in which they lived. Enjoy acted historical cameos and impressive Living History Encampments showing life in the late 17th Century. 

Entry to the pageant is included with Palace, Park and Gardens tickets with the horse race meeting getting underway at 12pm and the battle re-enactment starting at 3pm.

Donate the cost of your full Palace, Park and Gardens ticket to convert it to an Annual Pass for free. Entrance is free for Annual Pass holders. 

• For more information visit blenheimpalace.com. Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1PP. 

Issued on behalf of Blenheim Palace. For more information please contact Samantha Vaughan on 07469 129743 or SVaughan@blenheimpalace.com.  

About Blenheim Palace 

Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.  

Set in over 2,000 acres of 'Capability' Brown landscaped parkland and designed by Vanbrugh in the Baroque style, it houses one of the most important and extensive collections in Europe, which includes portraits, furniture, sculpture and tapestries.

Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of one of Britain's most famous leaders, Sir Winston Churchill, and it was his father who described the vista on entering the Estate from the village of Woodstock as the 'finest view in England'.