Take a privileged peek inside the Private Apartments of Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, which have been lived in by the Dukes and Duchesses of Marlborough for more than 300 years. 

Discover the hidden world of the aristocracy and the behind-the-scenes running of a Palace. 

Go below stairs for the 'Downstairs' Tour which gives visitors a glimpse into the lives of Palace staff over the centuries.

Household staff were essential to the aristocratic way of life. Visitors can wander through the network of corridors and see the areas which are still in use by Palace staff today, including the kitchen. 

Guests will see what it takes to keep a Palace running from organising shoots to preparing the family's luggage for travel to getting a soufflé from the kitchen to the Saloon without it falling!

Learn about the bell board, a series of bells connected to various rooms around the Palace to alert the butler, housekeeper and their teams to the requirements of family and guests; all different sizes so that skilled butlers and footmen could identify the bell by its tone without having to look. 

Rooms on the tour include – The kitchen, laundry, butler's pantry & boot room, billiard room and china room where building work on the Palace began on June 18th 1705 and peer inside the vault where many of the most valuable pieces of the Palace collection are secured.

Guests will also be introduced to the mystery of the 8th Duke's ('The Wicked Duke's') Laboratory, it has a bell dedicated to it but no one knows where it was actually located.

Climb the Main Stairs for the 'Upstairs' Tour and peek into the dressing room of the Dukes of Marlborough and wander along the Duke's Corridor.

Discover how the other half live as you see behind the scenes of Marlborough family life, with views into the master bedroom and dining room. The tour also takes in the sitting room where visitors can see priceless heirlooms contrasted with modern technology.

Walking through the ornate corridors, visitors will be led to the smoking room which contains full size tapestries from the Alexandra the Great series which were commissioned by the 1st Duke. 

The smoking room is also home to the famous Stubbs Tiger painting, which is based on a real tiger which lived at Blenheim Palace from 1763 and was gifted to the 4th Duke by Lord Clive, Governor of Bengal.

Visitors will also be taken around the Grand Cabinet*, a room full of unique historical artefacts and family heirlooms.  The Visitor's Book will also be on display, and visitors can see the list of illustrious guests who have stayed at the Palace, from royalty to celebrities. 

Amongst many rare and incredible historical artefacts, visitors will be able to see His Grace's dining room laid with Winston Churchill's own private china set. Churchill, who was born at Blenheim Palace in the West Wing, regularly used the Spode Copeland and Spode Maritime Rose, set which dates from 1891 to 1900.

For more information please contact: Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo- marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 709548.

This tours are available from February 2020, specific dates to be confirmed, please visit blenheimpalace.com for more information.

Book in advance online or at the Welcome Desk or Great Hall on the day; Palace, Park and Gardens ticket or valid Annual Pass is also required. Grand Cabinet tours are once per day, timings vary.