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Places to Visit in Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Blenheim Palace
Woodstock
Oxfordshire
OX20 1PX.
Tel: +44(0)8700 60 20 80
Email: click here
Website: click here
Blenheim Palace, home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill was built for John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, by Sir John Vanbrugh between the years 1705 and 1722.
The land and a sum of £240,000 were given to the Duke by a munificent sovereign, Queen Anne, and a grateful nation in recognition of his great victory over the French and Bavarians at the Battle of Blindheim 1704.
Apart from Vanbrugh, who designed the Palace in the Baroque style, other famous architects, craftsmen and landscape gardeners have been involved in the construction and development of Blenheim. The original gardens were designed by Queen Anne’s gardener Henry Wise with later (1760s) alterations by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown which included the creation of one of Blenheim’s most outstanding features, the lake. In more recent times the French architect, Achille Duchêne, built the formal gardens to the east and west of the palace. Hawksmoor, Grinling Gibbons, Yenn and Chambers also contributed to the Palace and gardens as we see them today.
VISITING THE PALACE
View Sir Winston Churchill’s birth room and the Churchill exhibition. Admire tapestries, paintings, sculpture and fine furniture set in magnificent gilded State Rooms, and the outstanding beauty of the Long Library, containing over 10,000 volumes in a room 183ft in length.
NEW in 2007
The magnificent State Rooms tour is still a highlight of a visit to Blenheim Palace. However, this year, a ground breaking new visitor experience has opened upstairs in the heart of Vanbrugh’s awe-inspiring Palace, in an area never before open to the public. 'Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story' brings dramatic events and stories of the family and servants who lived through them are brought vividly to life through the eyes of Grace Ridley, beloved maid to the 1st Duchess and through a combination of theatre sets and information rooms. The experience lasts about 45 minutes and is self guided.
SPECIAL EVENTS
From 28th July, entertainment takes place in the Great Court every day until 2nd September. Jousting takes place on South Lawn on 10th, 11th and 12th August and the famous annual Blenheim International Horse Trials runs from 6th – 9th September. Halloween Horrors and Christmas events are also great reasons to visit.
Facilities
Historic House, Gardens, Restaurant, Wheelchair lift,Tea Room, Picnic Area, Children, Car Park, Private Group Tours, School Tours Available, Gift Shops
Weddings and Conferences
WEDDINGS IN WOODSTOCK, OXFORDSHIRE
Blenheim Palace has a wide offering of hospitality services from conferences and marquee events to an elegant dinner held in the State Apartments. The Long Library boasts one of the longest private rooms in any British stately home and can dine up to 320 guests. Dinners can also be held in The Orangery for up to 230 guests where guests can enjoy a Champagne reception on The Orangery Terrace overlooking the private Italian Garden. Alternatively, drinks can be served in The Great Hall which includes a private tour of the Palace. Guests can then be piped to The Orangery for dinner.
All events at Blenheim Palace are tailored to suit our clients individual requirements and our experienced events team will work closely with you from the initial enquiry through to the event and beyond.
Opening Times
Click on web link above for opening times and admission prices
Further Information
VISITING THE PALACE
There are now two tours within the Palace. The main tour consists of Winston Churchill's birth-room and a permanent exhibition about him; the Great hall, long library and the many state rooms which house the huge tapestries, paintings, sculptures and porcelain with gilded furniture amid the lavish décor. The other tour is a State-of-the-art visitor experience which is open in the heart of the Palace called 'Blenheim Palace: the Untold Story'. Dramatic moments from the last 300 years of history at Blenheim Palace are brought to life through animatronic figures and innovative film and projection technology, seen through the eyes of the servants. Both tours last about 45 minutes each while Sundays and Bank-Holidays a free-flow system operates for the main tour.
Surrounding the Palace are over 2000 acres of beautiful 'Capability' Brown parkland, lakes, fountains and formal gardens including the recently restored 'Secret Garden', the Italian Garden, the Water Terraces, Rose Garden and Grand Cascade. A miniature train, a great favourite with all ages, connects the Palace to the Pleasure Gardens where a range of fun activities for children are located including the Marlborough Maze, the Butterfly House, the Lavender Garden, Adventure Playground and Blenheim Bygones exhibition.
A full spectrum of events is hosted within the Palace and grounds throughout the year. These include 'International Horse-Trials, jousting, Craft fairs, the Blenheim Triathlon and a whole host of other changeable events, some of which that focus on the family and children during the school holidays.
Go Back to Oxfordshire?
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Places to Stay near Blenheim Palace
The Killingworth Castle Inn, WootonKings Head Inn, Wootton By Woodstock
The Bell Inn, Woodstock
Feathers Hotel, Woodstock
The Feathers Hotel, Oxford
- Please check prices or opening times before booking as they may be subject to alteration