Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire (Oxfordshire)

Summary 18th century buildings Art and sculpture Guided tours Gift shop Information provided Learning facilities Gardens Children's play area Audio guide Free car parking (on site)

Food and Drinks Restaurant Tea Room Bar Picnic area

Introduction

In the Palace, you can take a guided tour of the sumptuous State Rooms to see the exquisite collection of portraits, furniture, tapestries and porcelain. 'Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story' is a permanent visitor experience bringing dramatic events from the history of Blenheim Palace to life. 

The Churchill Exhibition, set around the room where Winston Churchill was born. 'Churchills' Destiny - the story of two great war leaders' exhibition is open in the stables highlighting the fascinating parallel lives of Sir Winston Churchill and his much admired ancestor the 1st Duke of Marlborough.

The award-winning Formal Gardens and the 2000 acres of parkland are not to be missed.

History to the present day

The Palace was created to celebrate victory over the French during the Wars of the Spanish Succession. In particular it was a gift to the First Duke of Marlborough. He was the military commander who skilfully led the Allied forces into battle on 13th August 1704 at Blindheim (Blenheim). After the Battle Marlborough personally received the surrender of Marshall Talland, leader of the French forces.

John Churchill (first Duke of Marlborough) had been at the centre of political and military activity before the great battles of the 1700s. During the first year of the reign of James II it was Churchill who ensured the defeat of the rebel Monmouth at the Battle of Sedgemore. Later he was instrumental in the downfall of James II and the accession of William of Orange during the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

The most famous member of the family was Sir Winston Churchill who was born at Blenheim and spent a considerable amount of time at the Palace. Winston was the grandson of the 7th duke. He was a close friend of the 9th Duke and Duchess.
The present Duke has committed his life to the preservation of this great house and it was during his time at Blenheim that the Palace became a World Heritage Site. 

Food and Drinks

The Palace offers a selection of places to eat.  The Water Terraces Café, and the Pleasure Gardens Café offers light bites to eat, and are open all day. The Orangery serves Sunday lunches from 12.30pm until 2.30pm. The Palace has an Ice Cream Parlour which also serves refreshments.

Grounds and gardens

The award-winning Formal Gardens include the majestic Water Terraces, the ornate Italian Gardens, the Secret Garden, the Rose Garden, the Cascade and Arboretum.
There are over 2,000 acres of 'Capability' Brown landscaped Park to explore, and a number of Park walks are available. The park operates a miniature train for family fun in the Pleasure Gardens including the giant Marlborough Hedge Maze, Adventure Play Area, the Butterfly House and the Gardens Cafe.

Other facilities

The Palace offers Trout Fishing in the Bladon Lake. The Lake complex extends to 21 acres of water with a bank length of a mile. The waters are stocked with full tailed Rainbow Trout weighing up to 8lbs together with a few Browns. The Lake is open all year round (except Christmas Day). The fishery is split into 4 beats known as Rough Piece, Bladon, The Lince and The Gardens. All these beats can be fished under one ticket although The Gardens can only be fished after 5pm.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: , Oxfordshire, , United Kingdom

Address: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1PP

Opening Times: Palace & Gardens Open Daily from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Park open daily from 9 am to 4:45pm

Directions: The Palace is easily accessible from both London and Birmingham and is signposted from Junction 9 of the M40.

Nearest Station:Trains run regularly from London Paddington to Oxford and London Marylebone to Bicester and Birmingham

By Bus: The number S3 to Woodstock runs from Oxford Train station and Gloucester Green to the gates of Blenheim Palace on Hensington Road in Woodstock.

There is free parking available at the palace.