In 2022, Blenheim Palace will be marking the 300th anniversary of the death of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, with a series of interactive displays and events to appeal to visitors of all ages.  

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.

Blenheim Palace is a monument to his great military achievements and was built for him as a reward from Queen Anne and a grateful nation for his stunning military successes.

From April 2022, the Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site will be celebrating his life and achievements with an immersive exhibition, talks & tours, a battle re-enactment, concert, themed activities and events.

Step back in time to the Palace of the 1700's and marvel at the exquisite clothing, food, games and music that the Duke and his Duchess would have loved.

Immerse yourself in the daily life of the 1st Duke as you wander through the Palace state rooms to be greeted by the 1st Duke himself, his wife Sarah, or listen to the servants' below-stairs gossip.

Also on show will be costumes from the movie The Favourite by Oscar-winning designer Sandy Powell. In the film the role of Sarah was played by Rachel Weisz and the 1st Duke by Mark Gatiss.

There will be displays of 18th century armour, music and instruments, the recreation of a court feast of the time and a fascinating collection of unique maps, documents and artefacts from the Blenheim archive, many of them on public display for the first time.

The 1st Duke is a fascinating, but often overlooked, historical figure. At a time when marriages were no more than business transactions to increase power and wealth, John Churchill chose to marry for love.

After a less than illustrious beginning, he was once imprisoned in the Tower of London, and with the help of his extraordinary, strong-willed wife Sarah, he rose to dizzy heights in the court of Queen Anne, only to be plotted and schemed against and eventually exiled abroad, until a change of monarch made it safe for him to return to his homeland.

• For more information visit blenheimpalace.com