'Capability' Brown at Blenheim Palace

Discover 'Capability' Brown at Blenheim Palace from Saturday 13th February. Alongside a new exhibition visitors can enjoy talks from a 'gardener from Brown's time', horse & carriage rides, a new viewpoints trail and much more.

Blenheim Palace was one of 'Capability' Brown's most significant landscape projects. Commissioned by the 4th Duke of Marlborough in 1763, he spent a total of 11 years transforming the Palace's landscaped parkland which, although appearing quite natural, is 'contrived to pleasing effect'.

The new exhibition features maps, plans, paintings, pictures, costumes and historic artefacts bringing the life of one of the world's most illustrious landscape designers to life.

Alongside specially-commissioned artworks featuring his most celebrated views, the exhibition also features drawings of the lake and dam under construction as well as a film by modern gardener Diarmuid Gavin reflecting on the influence of Brown's work at Blenheim Palace.

The exhibition is in partnership with The Embroiderers Guild and will feature stunning hand-made pieces by some of the Guild's talented members, depicting the Parkland at Blenheim Palace.

Works by the renowned artist, Tim Scott Bolton, who has been travelling around England painting Brown landscapes, including the one of Blenheim Palace, will also be featured in the exhibition; alongside other celebrated artists. The artists looked at the landscape of Brown 300 years on from his original design, and captured similar view points as other artists have done in the past, showing their own unique style and response to the Blenheim Palace landscape.

A new 'Capability' Brown Viewpoints Trail has also been created with interpretation panels highlighting many of his most impressive viewpoints across the Estate and Formal Gardens walking tours will also be taking place. Visitors will also be able to see the iconic 'Brownian' viewpoints by horse and carriage rides on selected dates.

For the first two opening weekends of the new exhibition,  there will be a 'gardener from Brown's time' meeting visitors in the Gallery Room and showcasing the methods and tools historically used, giving a real sense of what it was like to work on site in the 18th Century.

What: 'Capability' Brown at Blenheim Palace

When: Opening 13 February 2016

Why Visit: Take an exclusive look at how celebrated landscape gardener, 'Capability' Brown transformed the Blenheim Palace landscape.

Admission: Adult £14.90, Concession £10.90, Child £6.90, Family (2 Adult & 2 Children) £39.90 Park & Gardens ticket.

Website: blenheimpalace.com

ENDS

For more information please contact: Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 7095487

Notes to Editors

Horse & Carriage Rides

An additional fee of £25 per carriage is required. Carriages hold up to four people and rides will last approximately 15 minutes. Bookings take at Flagstaff Information.

Rides will be available on the following dates: 13th, 14th, 20th & 21st February, 25th-28th March, 9th, 10th, 30th & 31st April, 1st & 2nd May, 9th & 10th July, 19th-21st August, 17th & 18th September.