EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF BRITISH

AT BLENHEIM PALACE

Blenheim Palace is the perfect destination to discover the very best of what Great Britain has to offer.

A fairy-tale country house set in one of England's most beautiful and historic settings, Blenheim Palace may only be 90 minutes journey time from London but it's a whole world away. 

Quintessentially English with 2,000 acres of Parkland landscaped by 'Capability' Brown and 10 formal gardens, the baroque Palace is home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and houses over 300 years of priceless history and heritage. 

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, it was designed by Vanbrugh and is the only non-royal and non-religious stately home to hold the title of Palace. 

The Palace and Estate were financed by Queen Anne in 1704, on behalf of a grateful nation, following the first Duke of Marlborough's triumph over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession.

Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace Britain's most famous leader, Sir Winston Churchill, and it was his father who described the vista on entering the Estate from the town of Woodstock as the 'Finest View in England'.

Immerse yourself in priceless heritage in a State Rooms Tour. Use the new free self-guided audio tour - available in nine languages – to discover the grandeur and history of the collection.

Tour the Formal Gardens exploring the individual settings from the beautiful symmetry of Henry Wise's designs to the Water Terraces which are reminiscent of the Parterre d'Eau at Versailles. 

The fragrant Rose Garden is the staple of an English stately home, contained within a circular walk, arched over by slender hoops supporting climbing roses. The central statue is surrounded by beds of roses forming a delightful floral display.

For a brilliantly British experience take Afternoon Tea in The Orangery restaurant. Overlooking the Duke of Marlborough's private Italian Gardens visitors can enjoy a decadent treat.

In addition to the Palace's rich heritage there is also a full calendar of activities and events taking place throughout the year from sporting events and musical performances to magical Christmas lights and historical re-enactments. 

Stay just outside the Palace gates in the picturesque town of Woodstock, founded almost 900 years ago. With a number of quaint galleries, restaurants, pubs and shops to explore. 

For more information please contact: Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingomarketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 70954.

Resources

Blenheim Palace Asset Library

Included here are high res downloads of the Palace, Park and Gardens. We have further imagery if you require something specific.

https://assets.blenheim.org

Username       blenheim

Password        worldheritage

Exploring the Area

Discover Woodstock, founded almost 900 years ago just outside of the city of Oxford. The picaresque town has a number of galleries, restaurants, pubs and shops to explore.

After their conquest if England, the Norman kings indulged their love of hunting by setting aside vast swathes of countryside as royal parks. One of the most important was the Manor of Woodstock.  

King Henry I enclosed the park with a wall seven miles long – the earliest known park wall in England – and moved residents to what is now known as Old Woodstock. New Woodstock, the main part of the town, was a medieval new town created in the late 12th Century by Henry II. Spending a good deal of time there, with his mistress 'Fair Rosamund' – whose well can still be seen at Blenheim Palace. 

Woodstock Manor was an important royal palace for several centuries until the English Civil War. It then stood derelict with the town in decline until the estate was granted to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough in 1704. The next century saw the regeneration of Woodstock which still has the predominantly Georgian appearance.  

Explore the rich history of Woodstock on the Woodstock Town Walk – available from oxfordshirecotswolds.org.

The Ashmolean is Oxford University's museum of art and archaeology. Opened in 1683, it is the oldest public Museum in the world! Enjoy visiting temporary exhibitions as well as permanent collections ranging from Egyptian mummies to Pre-Raphaelite paintings to contemporary art. ashmolean.org  

Luxury shopping destination Bicester Village is home to more than 130 boutiques of world-famous brands, each offering exceptional value with savings of up to 60% on the recommended retail price. The Village offers a suite of services that include Valet Parking, Hands-free Shopping, and an onsite tax refund and money change service. bicestervillage.com.

The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, "Conflict and County", is a Military Museum located in the heart of Woodstock which is dedicated to displaying the rich histories and telling the stories of two County Regiments; The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars in which Churchill served and was associated with for 64 years. The museum is well regarded for its significant and important collection of documents, letters, artefacts and images which are a record of the social and development history of Oxfordshire. Visitors can delve into the County's past with static and special exhibitions on display. sofo.org.uk