Blenheim Place in Oxfordshire is one of Britain’s most impressive historic homes. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich history and beautiful grounds to explore, it’s the ideal destination for a fun day out.
With that said, here are six things to do at Blenheim Palace.
The history of Blenheim Palace
Blenheim is a civil parish in West Oxfordshire around seven miles north of Oxford. At the edge of the town is Blenheim Palace, one of Britain’s most impressive stately homes.
Today, the palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by over 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland and formal gardens. But what is its history?
The original 12th century palace
Blenheim Palace hasn’t always looked the way it does today. The original palace was built as a hunting lodge by King Henry I in 1129. Enclosed by seven miles of wall, the king held a range of exotic animals inside, including lions and camels.
Later, Henry I’s grandson, Henry II, turned the hunting lodge into the first of the two palaces at Blenheim, known as Woodstock Palace. Woodstock Palace stood until the early 18th century when building of the palace that we see today began.
Blenheim as a symbol of Britain as a world power
Blenheim Palace as we see it today was built in 1705 as a gift from Queen Anne to John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, to mark his role in defending Europe against French invasion. Churchill had united with Bavarian forces to defeat the French armies of King Louis XIV at the Battle of Blenheim near Vienna in August 1704.
The battle was costly, but, for the first time in two generations, the French had suffered defeat and Louis XIV’s vision of a French controlled Europe was slashed. It was Blenheim that would establish Britain’s reputation as a world power.
Construction of the Baroque-style building was completed in 1722 and it’s been home to the Dukes of Marlborough ever since. Today, the 12th Duke of Marlborough and his family live there.
Birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill
In 1874, the famous British prime minister, Sir Winston Churchill, was born at Blenheim Palace.
It was also at the Temple of Diana, in the gardens of Blenheim, that Winston Churchill proposed to Miss Clementine Hozier during the summer of 1908. Churchill’s love for Blenheim remained until his death in 1965, and he even chose to be buried in the nearby churchyard at Bladon.
6 things to see and do at Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is located just outside the village of Woodstock, within easy reach of Oxford. With palace tours, beautiful gardens, and over 2,000 acres of rural parkland, it’s perfect for a family day out.
We’ll cover some of the best things to do at Blenheim Palace below.
Note: The attractions listed below are available year-round. However, Blenheim Palace also offers a range of seasonal events, including Christmas at Blenheim Palace, which you can browse here. All tickets to Blenheim Palace must be purchased in advance. You can head over to the Blenheim Palace website to secure yours.
1. Take a tour through the magnificent State Rooms
A great way to begin your visit to Blenheim Palace is with a tour of the impressive State Rooms. These rooms have hosted royalty, politicians, and famous names for centuries, and history literally seeps from their walls.
Beginning in the Great Hall, you can gaze up at the vast ceiling. Painted by Sir James Thornhill, the ceiling stands 20 metres high and is elaborately decorated. You’ll then wander through a series of magnificent rooms adorned with priceless artefacts, portraits, tapestries, and ornate furniture, before moving onto the library, dining room and, finally, the chapel.
Keep an eye out for the palace’s collection of Meissen porcelain and the Blenheim tapestries, which illustrate the 1st Duke of Marlborough’s military victories. Other highlights include the Green Drawing Room – home to the first of Nicholas Hawksmoor’s original ceilings – and the Long Library, which contains over 10,000 books and a famous statue of Queen Anne.
Audio tours, which guide you through the fascinating history of the State Rooms, are available through the Blenheim Palace app – just remember to bring your own headphones! Alternatively, guided Palace State Room tours also take place daily and are included in the price of a day ticket.
If you’re unable to get to the palace itself, virtual tours of the State Rooms are also available online.
2. Walk in the footsteps of Sir Winston Churchill
Blenheim Palace is the ideal destination for anyone wanting to learn more about famous wartime leader and writer, Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill was born here in 1874 while his parents were visiting the Estate, and he returned many times throughout his lifetime. Today, there are several trails and exhibitions at the Palace dedicated to his life.
At the Churchill Exhibition, you’ll find a mix of historic documents, including letters, photographs, and excerpts from his most famous speeches, as well as modern technology, which tell some of the key events of Churchill’s life as a politician, wartime leader, and husband.
The exhibition is hosted in a room overlooking the Water Terraces where Churchill once used to paint. There’s also a room at the end of the exhibition, which is set up as it would’ve been during his lifetime – complete with a bottle of whisky and radio next to his armchair and newspapers at the breakfast table.
The tiny bedroom at Blenheim Palace, where Sir Winston Churchill was born on 30th November 1874, has recently reopened and is also worth a visit. To mark the reopening, a painting by Churchill himself titled ‘The Atlas Mountains of Marrakesh’, is on display in the bedroom. It’s believed that Churchill gave the painting as a token of friendship to the man who supplied his trademark cigars.
Following the trail outside to the palace grounds, you’ll find one of Churchill’s most cherished places, the Temple of Diana, where he proposed to Clementine Hozier in 1908. If you’d like to visit Churchill’s grave, he’s buried at St Martin’s Church in Bladon, just south of Blenheim Palace, next to his parents and other family members.
3. Soak up nature in Blenheim’s beautiful grounds
Blenheim Palace is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, and with 2,000 acres to explore, there are many ways to make the most of it.
The Formal Gardens surrounding the Palace are the ideal place for a leisurely stroll. The gardens are split into different sections with a mix of styles, dating from the 18th to 20th centuries. There’s a stunning Rose Garden, the Duke’s Private Italian Garden, beautiful Water Terraces, and much more. These gardens have been worked on over many centuries by several esteemed garden designers, including Henry Wise and Achille Duchene, and reflect a captivating array of styles.
There’s also the family-friendly Walled Garden area where you’ll find the two-mile-long Marlborough Maze, adventure playground, and the Butterfly House.
If you’d like to venture into the wider Estate, why not explore one of Blenheim’s walking trails? In the wonderfully tranquil Secret Garden, winding paths will lead you through a jungle of trees, plants, pools, and streams. It’s also the ideal place to sit on a bench among botanical surroundings and tune into nature.
The Queen Pool Loop will take you past iconic sites like the Vanbrugh-designed Grand Bridge and through the neighbouring town of Woodstock. And the Park Perimeter route is ideal for anyone wanting to boost their step count. This 4.6 mile circular route is fringed by dense woodland and a fantastic way to see the wider grounds.
Nature lovers may also be inspired by Blenheim’s Tree Trail. This self-guided tour takes you on a unique journey through the rich and varied collection of trees that cover the grounds – from centuries-old oaks to delicate ornamental varieties. The trail is thoughtfully designed to allow visitors to learn about the different trees, including their origins and significance – it’s a wonderful mix of learning and relaxation.
You can find out more about the tree tail on the Blenheim Palace website and a trail booklet is also available to download here.
After you’ve worked up an appetite, why not head to one of Blenheim’s cafes and restaurants to enjoy some comfort food?
4. See what it’s like to work at Blenheim Palace on a Downstairs Tour
Guests wanting to explore more of Blenheim Palace may be interested in the Downstairs Tour, which is available to add onto the price of a day ticket. The Downstairs Tour offers a glimpse into life as an employee at Blenheim Palace – both past and present.
Household staff have always been key to the aristocratic way of life, but their story is often lesser known. Wander through the palace’s network of corridors, learn about the iconic bell system, and explore areas that are still in use by Palace staff today, including the kitchen.
Along the way, you’ll learn about life here from the staff’s point of view. For more information about the Downstairs Tour, including cost, head over to the Blenheim Palace website.
5. Learn about life as a guest or resident at Blenheim Palace
Now that you’ve seen the downstairs of Blenheim, why not head the other way with an Upstairs Tour? This tour will take you on a journey through the private apartments at Blenheim, where you’ll learn about life as both a resident or guest.
Stand in the nursery where young Lords and Ladies were cared for right up until the 1990s; glimpse the routines of famous visitors, including Bill Clinton, Charlie Chaplin, and Sylvester Stallone; and learn about what 21st-century life is like in an 18th-century palace.
It’s fascinating to see the contrast between the beautiful old artwork, furniture, and tapestries that sit alongside the modern televisions and family photographs of the current Duke of Marlborough and his family.
For more information about the Upstairs Tour, including cost, head over to the Blenheim Palace website.
6. Visit the Butterfly house
Blenheim’s Butterfly House, located in the Walled Garden, is home to butterfly species from all around the world and has welcomed visitors since the early 1980s.
You’ll find a beautiful range of butterflies living here, including Red Lacewing, Blue Wave, Emerald Peacock, as well as several Zebra Finches. To make the house closely resemble their wild habitat, the butterflies enjoy a selection of exotic plants from Madeira, Africa, and South America, as well as tropical fruits like mango, papaya, and pineapple.
The Butterfly House was given a fresh look for 2024 and is now more immersive and accessible for visitors – as well as being an even better environment for its tropical inhabitants.
Blenheim Palace official website has more information on visiting the Butterfly House.
Final thoughts…
Blenheim Palace is one of the UK’s most impressive historic homes. And with guided tours, walking trails, and beautiful landscapes, whether you’re after history, architecture, nature, or some time in the great outdoors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
For further reading, head over to the history and travel sections of our website. Here, you’ll find information on everything from days out in the UK to popular museums and galleries.
What are some of your favourite historic sites in the UK? Which periods of history interest you the most? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.