Visitors can enjoy a sustainable day out at Blenheim Palace this summer as the visitor destination strives to make a positive impact on people and planet.

Blenheim is leading the way to a sustainable future; in 2018 it was recognised with a 'Gold' Green Tourism award and rated within the top 5% greenest attractions in the UK.

The Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site is encouraging visitors to travel in an environmentally friendly way and save 30% on entry.

Anyone travelling by public transport, bicycle or fully electric vehicle will be eligible for the discount on entry to the destination as long as they have booked online in advance using the code GREEN30.

Visitors who are unable to travel in a low emission way can still take part in Blenheim Palace's green agenda by offsetting their carbon with a £5 donation. This carbon offsetting cost will go towards the extensive tree planting scheme on the Blenheim Estate.

The landowners are on a mission to plant thousands of native trees to boost the natural ecosystem and restore vital woodland habitats.

The majority of the trees, which have been grown from seeds collected on the estate, will be planted the park's historic woodlands, home to the greatest collection of ancient oaks in Europe.

Once fully mature, these new trees will collectively sequester 21 tonnes of CO2 per year; that's enough to offset powering 2,500 homes for the year.

Blenheim Palace is engaging children with the environment too. Younger visitors can learn about the importance of biodiversity at Blenheim Palace on the Bee Trail. Spend time amongst nature in the Walled Garden and discover how the estate's rare, wild honeybees pollinate plant life. Children can claim their special bee badge at the end of the trail.

Blenheim Palace has also been making changes in the shop and cafe to help reduce single use plastic. Many of the souvenirs on offer are now locally sourced and produced sustainably using materials such as wheat fibre, bamboo and recycled plastics.

Additionally no plastic water bottles are sold onsite; visitors can either refill their own reusable bottles or enjoy Blenheim Palace's very own award-winning Mineral Water in glass bottles, which are made up of 80% recycled glass and bottled here at Blenheim. 

These efforts align with Blenheim Palace's commitment to becoming carbon neutral on Scopes 1 - 3 of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol across all operations by 2027 and, beyond that, to remove 230,000 tonnes CO2e from the atmosphere by 2050.

The World Heritage Site is already converting its fleet to electric vehicles, insulating roofs and switching to LED lighting as well as focusing efforts on green renewable energy projects including biomass, solar and hydro power.

• To claim the 30% discount on their Palace, Parks and Gardens ticket visitors should book online before travelling to Blenheim Palace using code GREEN30 at checkout with proof of your green travel. For people travelling to Blenheim Palace by train at weekends, a free shuttle bus service from Hanborough Station is available to make the journey a breeze.
• For more information visit blenheimpalace.com

Issued on behalf of Blenheim Palace. For more information please contact Ellen Gray EGray@blenheimpalace.com or Jaimie Poyner jaimie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk .

About Blenheim Palace

Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Steeped in history, the magnificent Palace is surrounded with over 2,000 acres of 'Capability' Brown parkland and beautiful Formal Gardens.  Tours, exhibitions and events showcase the splendour of 'Britain's Greatest Palace' and deliver an unforgettable day out for all ages.

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'.