Blenheim Palace

Tap Into British Heritage At Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist attractions in Oxfordshire today and an absolute must visit for anyone wanting to sample a little of the culture and heritage that the area has to offer. Open all year round, it is set in the Cotswolds area of the county (specifically in Woodstock) and is host to a number of events that even the most difficult to please of visitors would find it hard not to be enchanted by the magic of the palace itself and the surrounding gardens.

As one of the finest baroque houses England has to offer, it was built on the orders of Queen Anne between 1705 and 1722 as a gift for John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough, as a result of the major role he played in defeating the French in 1704 at the Battle of Blenheim. The current Duke of Marlborough still lives in Blenheim Palace and has been instrumental in the restoration of some of the areas of the house and gardens in the very recent past.

The most famous great English person to have been born and lived within the walls of Blenheim Palace is Sir Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II, and the exhibition to commemorate his life is one of the palace’s most popular attraction. He was born in the same room that the exhibition is now displayed in 1874. The tour that operates within the house make a point of stopping there and paying tribute to the great man himself, but it will also show you Blenheim Palace’s fantastic collection of tapestries, furniture and paintings that are displayed in room after room.

The palace is not the only place of interest here though. The Capability Brown parkland, water terraces, pleasure gardens, Marlborough Maze, Italian garden and secret garden occupy the 2,000 acres of land around Blenheim Palace. The landscape is just beautiful and seems to stretch into the horizon. There is something that everyone can enjoy within the grounds as well as in the palace itself.

If you are looking for a little something different though, you could always check with the tourist board to see when special events will be taking place. For example, there are jousting tournaments and concerts held infrequently throughout the year, as well as costume presentations and guides during local school holidays. The very magic of history is alive and well in Blenheim Palace and it is indeed a one of a kind experience that simply cannot be missed!