“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

Visitors to Blenheim Palace can now enjoy spectacular views of the Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site from the comfort of their very own rowing boat.

From Wednesday, 12th August a flotilla of 14 rowing boats - each capable of accommodating a family of five or up to four adults, and a dog – will be available for hire.

Available daily between 10am and 4pm they will cost £12 for 30 minutes or £20 for an hour. Visitors will need to book a time slot on the day of their visit and all children must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or older.

Visitors will be able to discover exciting new perspectives on the Palace itself, the iconic Grand Bridge, which spans the lake and was designed by Vanbrugh, and the surrounding 'Capability' Brown landscaped parkland. 

The boats will give Harry Potter fans the chance to relive a famous scene from the Order of the Phoenix featuring a flashback to Professor Snape's school days at Hogwarts, which was filmed at Blenheim, under the impressive Cedar of Lebanon tree beside the lake.

Visitors will also be able to row past Fair Rosamund's Well and keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife living in, on and around the lake.

“This is the first time visitors will have been able to venture out onto the water in more than 20 years and it really is the perfect way to appreciate Brown's genius when it comes to the natural world,” said Blenheim's Estates Director Roy Cox.

“Many of his most famous parklands feature waterways which were specifically created as a means for aristocrats and wealthy owners to move through the landscapes he had built for them,” he added.

Each of the 14 boats is named after a famous figure from Blenheim Palace's history.

For more information on all the summer events and activities, opening times and admission prices visit www.blenheimpalace.com.

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

EDITOR'S NOTE: 

Click here for 60 seconds of downloadable b-roll, made up of 10-second videos of the boats on the lake from various angles - https://we.tl/t-mp3bPC0s7C

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.