Until 19th August, visitors to Blenheim Palace can enjoy an outdoor photography exhibition celebrating the natural beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beautiful Blenheim is an annual competition run in conjunction with the International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY). The exhibition features award-winning garden, plant, flower and botanical photography, alongside pictures showcasing the beauty of Blenheim Palace and its unique parkland. The images are displayed on outdoor panels next to Blenheim's famous Rose Garden.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is a stunning composite image created by local photographer Cereta Drewett, from Witney. Entitled 'Winston', it combines an image of Oscar Neman's bust of Churchill, with one of the estate's ancient oak tree against a shot of the Palace. “The oak tree adds texture and is symbolic of strength and Blenheim Palace is the perfect backdrop as it was the birthplace of Churchill. I chose the colour blue to represent memory and the passing of time,” she said.

As well as Cereta's winning photograph, the images of runners-up Miggy Wild and Lindsey Willetts are also featured. Among the judges were IGPOTY's Managing Director Tyrone McGlinchey and Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill.

Launched in 2007, the International Garden Photographer of the Year is the world's premier competition and exhibition specialising in garden, plant, flower and botanical photography. It is run in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London. The main exhibition is held annually at Kew, with a rolling programme of touring exhibitions in the UK and all over the world.

Images were submitted in nine different categories: Abstract Views, Beautiful Gardens, Breathing Spaces, Greening the City, The Beauty of Plants, Trees, Woods & Forests, Wildflower Landscapes, Wildlife in the Garden, Plants & Planet.

Notes to editors

The International Garden Photographer of the Year Exhibition is on until 19th August and is free with either a Palace, Park and Gardens or a Park and Gardens admission. For details visit blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/igpoty

For more information, please contact Samantha Vaughan on 07469 129743 / SVaughan@blenheimpalace.com or Drew Cunliffe at drew@flamingo-marketing.co.uk 

About Blenheim Palace

Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1704, 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 was financed by Queen Anne, on behalf of a grateful nation, following the first Duke of Marlborough's triumph over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession. Today 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'.