Blenheim Palace

Set in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace is considered to be one of the finest Baroque houses in the country. A gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, in recognition of his famous victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Inside the Palace can be found a superb collection of tapestries, paintings, porcelain and furniture in the magnificent State Rooms.

Sir Winston Churchill was born in the Palace in 1874 and a permanent exhibition about him is located next to his birth room – both are included in the Palace tour. He is buried in a simple grave in the nearby church at Bladon. A separate exhibition, ‘Churchills’ Destiny – the story of two great war leaders’, celebrates the achievements of Winston and his great hero and ancestor, John Churchill.
A State-of-the-art visitor experience 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.

Surrounding the Palace are over 2,000 acres of beautiful ‘Capability Brown’ parkland, lakes, fountains and formal gardens. A miniature train connects the Palace to the Pleasure Gardens, where, amongst a range of fun activities for children, can be found the Marlborough Maze, the Butterfly House, the Lavender Garden and the ‘Blenheim Bygones’ exhibition.

A very busy events programme is on offer throughout the year, including jousting tournaments, half-term costumed entertainment, the Blenheim Triathlon, Bike BP, Horse Trials and the Great Blenheim Palace Easter Egg Challenge.

Opening Hours: Park- 9am to 4.45pm; Palace- 10.30am to 5.30pm; Gardens- 10am to 6pm
LAST Admission 4.45pm.

Additional info

Blenheim Palace is situated in the picturesque and historic town of Woodstock, 8 miles North West of Oxford on the A44 Evesham Road, and approximately an hour's drive from both London and Birmingham. Stratford-upon-Avon is only 45 minutes drive away. Approaching Oxford on the M40, exit at junction 9 and follow signs to Blenheim. From other directions take the A44 exit from the Oxford by-pass. There is unlimited free car parking for cars and coaches. The nearest British Rail main line station is Oxford. The number S3 bus runs from there to Woodstock at approximately 30 minute intervals.

Sir Winston Churchill, arguably the greatest parliamentarian this country has ever seen, was born at Blenheim Palace on the 30th November 1874 at 1.30am. His birth room is on view to visitors and is set west of the Great Hall in the suite of apartments once allotted to the 1st Duke of Marlborough’s domestic Chaplain. In the Churchill Exhibition, near the birth room, can be seen Oscar Nemon’s bronze of Sir Winston and Lady Churchill as well as Sir Winston’s painting of the Great Hall at Blenheim.

Collection details

Architecture, Personalities

Key artists and exhibits

• Sir Winston Churchill