Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace
Woodstock
Oxfordshire
OX20 1PP
England
Website
Telephone
24 hour recorded information service
0800 849 6500
Fax
01993 810570
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.
Venue Type:
Museum, Gallery, Historic house or home, Garden, parklands or rural site, Heritage site
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
Blenheim Palace opens for a NEW season
Blenheim Palace was a gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough following his famous victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Visit the gilded State Rooms, which house one of the finest collections in Europe, and the fascinating visitor experience, ‘Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story’. The Churchill Exhibition includes the room where Sir Winston Churchill was born 1874.
Situated in Woodstock, just 8 miles from Oxford, Blenheim Palace is surrounded by over 2,000 acres of 'Capability' Brown landscaped parkland, the great lake, and beautiful formal gardens, offering an unforgettable day out for all.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
Admission
Palace, Park & Gardens - Ad-£21; Con-£16.50; Ch-£11.50; Fam-£55
Park & Gardens - Ad-£12; Con-£9; Ch-£6.30; Fam-£32
Upgrade your Palace ticket for an Annual Pass for FREE
Website
The Blenheim Palace Flower Show
Set within the spectacular grounds of Blenheim Palace, The brand new Blenheim Palace Flower Show has it all. The event celebrates everything floral from award-winning nurseries to gardening celebrities and experts who can help you transform your garden into a tranquil haven. The show is packed with inspiration and colour and celebrates the very best of gardening in the UK.
Stunning floral displays will be featured in the Grand Floral Marquee including RHS Gold Medal winning nursery Primrose Bank Nursery who will be displaying their wonderful range of Hellebores. Also see Heucheraholics, Devine Nursery, Roualeyn Fuchsias, Rougham Hall Nursery, whilst Apuldram Roses will be featuring a selection of modern roses in their grand display.
Meet one of TV’s favourite gardening celebrities Christine Walkden in the plant advisory marquee. Christine will be at the show on Saturday and Sunday and will be holding two Q & A sessions a day. Liz Nicholson (from Nicholsons Nursery in Oxfordshire) will be designing a show garden and running “The Tree & Hedging advice” area.
The show will feature over 150 gardening exhibitors, including plants, gardening sundries, garden buildings, quality furniture, food & drink. Celebrity Chef Jean Christophe Novelli will be at the show on Friday 21st June demonstrating how to cook the perfect Barbeque food.
The Blenheim Palace Flower Show will take place within the stunning setting of Blenheim Park. Visitors to the Flower Show can enter the Park and Formal Gardens of Blenheim Palace at no extra cost. If you are feeling peckish, Blenheim Palace has a whole range of catering options available at the show from Cream teas to country wines, salads to hot meals.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
Park & Gardens - Ad-£12; Con-£9; Ch-£6.30; Fam-£32
Website
The Sealed Knot Society
The beautiful surroundings of Blenheim Palace will provide the perfect backdrop for one of the largest battle re-enactments of the year. A huge army encampment alongside our Living History Village will bring to life the English Civil War.
Come along and talk to our craftsmen and traders and then stay to enjoy the spectacle of over 1000 soldiers engaging in hand to hand combat, amid the roar of cannons and the charge of the cavalry, making this the 'must see' event over the bank holiday weekend.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Where
Blenheim Palace
Admission
Park & Gardens - Adult-£12; Con-£9; Ch-£6.30; Fam-£32
Website
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon
The 2,400 competitors will all start with a swim in the lake at various intervals throughout the day. After the swim, the competitors enter the 'transition' area in the Palace Courtyard where they collect their bikes for the cycling section around the stunning surroundings of the park. The bikes are then returned to the Palace Courtyard and their run begins around the Queen Pool with the finish at the flagged area on the road leading away from the Palace. This is alongside the competitor's village where you will be able to find food and further amenities.
Dogs on leads are allowed in the extensive parkland around the Palace. No dogs are allowed into the Formal Gardens, Courtyards or Pleasure Gardens. Dogs for the blind or hard of hearing are welcome in all areas.
Suitable for
- All ages
- Family friendly
Where
Blenheim Palace
Admission
To Spectate - Park & Gdns. Ad-£12; Con-£9; Ch-£6.30 Fam-£32.......
Group discounts of 15 or more available. Contact operations@blenheimpalace.com
…….. Why not buy a Palace, Park & Garden ticket for the day and upgrade it FREE of charge to an Annual Pass giving you 12 months access to Blenheim.
Website
Oxford School of Drama presents Shakespeare in the Park
The Oxford Schoolof Drama returns this summer with another feast of Shakespeare! Have you ever got bored, texted friends or fallen asleep while watching Shakespeare? If the answer is maybe, then you will certainly enjoy Shakespeare in the Park. There’ll be no time for snoozing in this fast-paced evening of all the very best bits from the Bard: lovers, villains, kings and clowns, join some of Shakespeare’s favourite characters for a picnic in the park.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
Where
Blenheim Palace
Admission
For prices, tickets and information visit www.blenheimpalace.com
Website
Junior Sculling Regatta
The Blenheim Palace Junior Regatta is a new initiative started by Hinksey Sculling School, a charity aiming to offer the opportunity to anyone of school age to scull or row regardless of background. This event is specifically aimed at juniors aged 13 and below and will offer them the chance to compete in a series of 500 metre multi-lane races on the lake within the stunning and spectacular parkland of 'Capability' Brown. Racing will take place throughout the day and viewing will be available from the natural arena that surrounds the lake.
For more information about Hinksey Sculling School and to watch a video clip of the event in 2010 please visit www.hinkseysculling.org.uk
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
9:30am-5:30pm
Admission
Park & Gardens - Ad-£12; Con-£9; Ch-£6.30; Fam-£32
Website
Ferrari Owners Club Rally
A wonderful gathering of the iconic cars, situated in the stunning grounds of Blenheim Palace...
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
10am-5pm
Admission
Park & Gardens Ad-£12; Con-£9; Ch-£6.30; Fam-£32
Website
Battle Proms Concert
Picture a balmy summer evening with friends, sublime music, daring horsemen, fantastic fireworks, cannon fire and even a breathtaking Spitfire display. Over the last 15 years the organizers of the Battle Proms have developed what is now one of the most distinct and comprehensive concert programmes in the UK; this is an exceptional evening not to be missed!
The 'Battle' in the concert name refers to the unique performance of Beethoven's 'Battle Symphony' - a powerful piece of music which was composed to include 193 live firing cannons as part of the score. This is the only concert series in the world to perform Beethoven's most ambitious piece with its full complement of thunderous percussion. A big screen will be displaying all the action from the cavalry, cannons, and stage so you never have to leave your seat!
Your host is much loved Songs of Praise presenter and celebrated compère Pam Rhodes, and superb soprano Denise Leigh will lead the crowd with all the prom favourites such as Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and, of course, Rule Britannia. The crowd will be brought to their feet and waving their flags as the spectacular firework display lights up the summer sky.
Widely regarded as one of the most exciting summer prom concerts in the country, this is an event that fans return to year after year. Whether you're planning a romantic evening as a couple, a celebration as a group, or want to enjoy an informal concert as a family then this could be the unique experience you have been looking for.
The Battle Proms are proud to support the Charity Combat Stress: The Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, which specialises in helping veterans of the Armed Forces and Merchant Navy with psychological injuries caused through service to their country. Over the years more than £100,000 has been raised for Combat Stress at the Battle Proms Concerts, both through audience donation and a contribution of the concerts' profits.
For more information and to book tickets visit www.battleproms.com or call on 01432 355 416
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Family friendly
When
7-10pm
Where
Blenheim Palace
Admission
Visit www.battleproms.com for tickets
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