Welcome to Stately Homes

Blenheim Palace is a world heritage site, home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Britain’s most famous 20th Century Prime Minister.

History:

Set in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace is considered to be one of the finest baroque houses in the country. It was 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. It is now the home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and is lived in and cared for by the family for whom it was built. 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. Sir Winston loved Blenheim and, as a member of the family, was a frequent visitor during his long life. 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 open in the heart of the Palace called 'Blenheim Palace: the Untold Story', is a new separate tour of the Palace. Dramatic moments from the last 300 years of history at Blenheim 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 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. For more information visit their Website.

The House - Some Principal Rooms:

The Great Hall:

Probably the most striking feature of the Great Hall is the ceiling, painted in 1716 by Sir James Thornhill. It shows Marlborough victorious, with the battle order at Blenheim spread for view. The long, vaulted corridors running to the wings from the north and south sides of the Great Hall are typical of Vanbrugh, as is the staircase, concealed by the arcaded eastern wall. The complicated lock for the hall door was copied from a lock found on the gates of Warsaw. With it goes a huge coroneted key.

The Saloon:

The state dining-room, now used by the family once a year, on Christmas Day. The table is laid with a Minton service with silver gilt. The silver centrepiece, standing on a separate table, shows Marlborough, still on horseback after his victory at the Battle of Blenheim. The murals and painted ceiling are the work of Louis Laguerre (1663 - 1721) - his charge for the work - £500. With marble doorcases by Grinling Gibbons, the overdoors are emblazoned with the two-headed Eagle crest of the Duke of Marlborough as a Prince of the Roman Empire.

The Long Library:

Originally designed as a picture gallery, this 55 metre long room displays some of the finest stucco ceiling decoration within the Palace. With full length portraits of Queen Anne, King William III and the 1st Duke of Marlborough, probably the most striking feature of this room is the magnificent Willis organ at the north end. Two magnificent marble sculptures of Marlborough and Queen Anne are also housed here.

The Formal Gardens:

The Formal Gardens of Blenheim Palace owe much to the 9th Duke of Marlborough who, in the 1920’s, with the help of the French landscape architect Achille Duchêne, redesigned the previously uninspiring gardens to provide the Palace with the formal majestic setting that visitors see today.

From the magnificent Water Terraces, designed around the Bernini river-gods’ fountain, to the beautiful Italian Garden centering on the Mermaid Fountain designed by Waldo Story, the formal gardens of Blenheim provide a sumptuous setting, reminiscent of the grand chateaux of France and Italy. The beautiful Secret Garden, recently reopened after growing wild for over 30 years, is a secluded area where winding paths lead to soothing water features, bridges, ponds and streams as well as a myriad of original features.

Opening Times - 2010:

13th February - 31st October: daily
3rd November - 12th December: Wednesday - Sunday
10.30 am - 5.30 pm. Last admission 4.45 pm.

Gardens:
Daily, 10.30 am - 3.30 pm. Last admission 3 pm.

The Duke of Marlborough reserves the right to close the Palace or Park or to amend admission prices without notice.

Admission Prices - 2010:

Palace, Park & Gardens
Main Season:
Adult - £18
Child (5-16) - £10
Concession - £14.50
Family (2+2) - £48

Groups - (15+):
Adult - £12.30
Child (5-16) - £6.75
Concession - £10.80

Low Season:
Adult - £14.50
Child (5-16) - £7.80
Concession - £11.50
Family (2+2) - £38

Groups - (15+):
Adult - £10.50
Child (5-16) - £6
Concession - £9.40

Park & Gardens
Main Season:
Adult - £10.30
Child (5-16) - £5
Concession - £7.70
Family (2+2)- £26

Groups - (15+):
Adult - £6.90
Child (5-16) - £3.30
Concession - £5.70

Low Season:
Adult - £7.70
Child (5-16) - £2.70
Concession - £5.40
Family (2+2) - £18.50

Groups - (15+):
Adult - £5.50
Child (5-16) - £2
Concession - £4.40

"Buy One Day Get Twelve Months Free"
Simply buy a ticket for the day and you can upgrade free of charge for an annual pass which enables you to come back for a whole year to enjoy the Palace and even some events.

Groups Welcome (minimum 15 people)

Private tours by appointment only, prices on request.