In keeping with our mission to explore more of Oxfordshire, Kate and I recently decided to visit Blenheim Palace. After a short half hour drive from our flat in east Oxford, we had arrived.
Blenheim remains one of the most impressive and elegant stately homes in the country. Still managed independently by the Duke of Marlborough and his family, the estate boasts over 2,000 acres of gardens, parks and lakes, as well as 18th century Baroque-style architecture.
The Palace is also famous for being the birthplace of Winston Churchill, and as 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of his death, they had organised a great exhibition which documented the influence and inspiration he took from Blenheim as a child. Churchill also later proposed to his wife at Blenheim during a house party in 1908, so it was clearly a very important place to him. The exhibition was a genuinely fascinating glimpse into the past and gave a real insight into how the wartime Prime Minister spent his formative years.
After having a wonder through the main house and galleries we went to replenish ourselves with some coffee and cake from the Searcys cafe. We then continued outside for a stroll through the gardens.
In the afternoon were were lucky enough to be treated to some falconry and jousting.
Before finally heading home we decided to end our visit with a leisurely walk to explore the rest of the grounds.
At £23 for an adult ticket, admission might seem a little expensive, but this does include an Annual Pass, so if you’re able to make a return visit it actually represents pretty good value. Having briefly worked at a big tourist attraction with a similar pricing model, I know this approach isn’t always popular – especially with one off tourists. If you’re local though, I’d certainly recommend it, particularly given the fact that there are plenty of events hosted all year round which you can take full advantage of. If you enjoy National Trust properties and all the history and culture they have to offer, this will definitely be up your street too!
Tom Eden 