Blenheim Palace Garden
4.3/5 (3 ratings)-
Parties / Large Groups
For groups of 15 or more contace groups@blenheimpalace.com Catering, garden tours, Palace tours and discounts available.
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Open House
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
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Parking
Plenty of space
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Disabled Access
Blenheim Palace welcomes visitors with disabilities and we do all we can to ensure that visitors are able to enjoy as much as possible of this magnificent building and its grounds. We do however strongly recommend that you are accompanied by an able bodied carer. A Moterised scooter is available for hire for the gardens at £5 for 2 hours or £10 for the day. Pushing wheelchairs are available on request.
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Shopping
The largest and most comprehensive of our shops, with a wide variety of gifts, housed within the old dairy, which still features the original stone butter cooler. Open 10am-6pm daily until the end of trade on the 14th December, 2012 The Churchill Shop This intimate shop beside the chapel stocks a comprehensive range of books, its main focus being the life and work of Sir Winston Churchill, one of the most famous members of the Spencer Churchill family. Open daily 11am - 5pm from the 11th February 2012 The Palace Shop Specialising in upmarket lifestyle ranges The Palace Shop is a calming, genteel space situated on the top floor of the Palace at the end of Blenheim Palace ‘The Untold Story’ exhibition. Open daily 11am - 5.00pm from the 12th February 2012 The Pleasure Gardens Shop Situated in The Pleasure Gardens, at the other end of the Park from the Palace, this shop is child orientated and stocks a range of pocket-money priced items and gifts inspired by the butterfly house which is nearby. The Pleasure Gardens Shop can be reached by the miniature train. Opens from the 31st March 11am-4pm weekends & school holidays
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Restaurant
Blenheim Palace is a perfect day out, so why not enhance your day by enjoying our selection of Sunday Lunch, Afternoon Teas, Seasonal Lunches or Hampers. Whatever your appetite, you’ll find there’s plenty of choice on offer at Blenheim Palace and you can always be sure of a friendly welcome and food of the highest quality. If you fancy a traditional hot dish or freshly made sandwiches visit the Water Terraces Café, a bite to eat in the gardens visit the Pleasure Gardens Café, or if you would like a quick coffee and scrumptious ice cream visit the Ice Cream Parlour
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Light Refreshments
The Water Terrace Café is a self service café within the Palace, open daily from 10am to 5.30pm, serving a range of hot food, sandwiches and salads, as well as cakes and teas in the early afternoon. Speciality coffees made from Fairtrade, Organic and Rainforest approved beans are also available from the Coffee bar. The café overlooks the inspirational Water Terraces and seating is available both inside and out
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Picnic Area
There are various picnic areas but anywhere in the park is permitted but BBQ's are not accepted.
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Pets
Dogs are permitted on a lead in the park but not in the formal gardens or courtyards.
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Alcohol license
We even have a new champagne bar.
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Special Events
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 www.blenheimpalace.com
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Walks
There are over 2,000 acres of 'Capability' Brown landscaped park to be explored and there is beauty to be found in all seasons; lawns brimming with daffodils in spring, the greens of the trees transforming into a myriad of warm tones from summer to autumn, and the twinkling blanket of frost and mist rising from the lake in winter. Walks of between 45 minutes and 1 1/2 hours allow you to fully appreciate the beauty of the Palace within its awe-inspiring setting. Queen Pool This is a beautiful circular walk which takes in the beautiful autumn tones, around Queen Pool, of 1.5 miles or up to 45 minutes. Starting at the main Palace gates, walk down over Vanbrugh's Grand Bridge, from where you can see Rosamund's Well down to the left. Follow the road around to the right and walk over the bridge at Seven Arches and up a steep hill to the Triumphal Arch at Woodstock Gate. This walk is mainly on the road. The Lake and Cascade This is a circular walk of up to a mile or 45 minutes over some difficult terrain. From the Water Terraces, follow the signs for the Rose garden, the Cascade and the Pump House. Climb the steps to the Pump House and follow the path around to the Boathouse and back past the Temple of Diana towards the Water Terraces. Walking shoes are recommended as there is some difficult terrain. The Duke's Gardens A circular walk of up to 1.5 miles or 1 hour. From the Water Terraces follow the signs to the Rose Garden along the South Lawn, to the west of the Palace and through the Arboretum. Cross the South Lawn towards the Secret Garden to the East of the Palace. Seats are available in the Secret Garden. Return via the Italian Garden to the Water Terraces. Walking shoes are recommended, although the terrain is not difficult.
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Family/Baby changing facilities
There are baby changing facilites.
