Blenheim Palace

About

Receive a warm welcome into the home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Wonder at this masterpiece of 18th century Baroque architecture, which houses some of the finest antique collections in Europe. 

The Palace
Take an audio tour of the State Rooms and admire the portraits, tapestries and exquisite furniture while learning about the 300-year history of this National Treasure.

Visit the Churchill Exhibition and learn all about the life of the great Prime Minister, starting with his birth at Blenheim Palace in 1874 and early life spent here, including his marriage proposal in 1908, his time as a soldier, a politician and even a painter, concluding with his death in 1965 and burial in the nearby village of Bladon. The exhibition features photographs, extracts from his diaries, artefacts and a number of other elements.

From February – September, two tours will be available for visitors to take inside the Palace: an ‘Upstairs’ tour and a ‘Downstairs’ tour of the Private Apartments. These tours give visitors the opportunity to explore rooms never open to the public before, gaining an insight into the lives of the family that have lived at Blenheim Palace, their guests and the household staff. 

History
Blenheim Palace was built between 1705 and 1733 for John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough to celebrate victory over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession. The battle won by the Duke and his army was in 1704 and was called the Battle of Blenheim, which is how the Palace got its name.

Over the past 300 years Blenheim Palace has been the home of the Dukes of Marlborough, but has also been used for many other things. In World War One the Long Library inside the Palace was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers. In World War Two, a boys school was evacuated to the Palace and used the State Rooms for classrooms and dormitories. Shortly after this in 1940, Blenheim Palace became a base for MI5 - Britain’s government intelligence agency.

In 1950, the 10th Duke of Marlborough opened Blenheim Palace to the public for the first time, and since then millions of visitors have passed through its doors and the Palace is established as one of the best heritage attractions in the UK.
Explore this World Heritage Site amongst over 2000 acres of parkland landscaped by one of the UK’s most famous landscape architects, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. 

Take a stroll up to the Grand Cascades or around the lake to admire some of the finest views in England, looking out for the historical monuments in the grounds, including the Column of Victory, Grand Bridge and Temple of Diana. Discover the array of Formal Gardens, including the Rose Garden, Churchill Memorial Garden, Water Terraces and Secret Garden. 

Events & Experiences
Blenheim Palace is not only an iconic part of history, but also a living, changing experience with a wealth of sporting and cultural events, themed exhibitions and tours on offer all year. The busy events calendar includes firm favourites such as Christmas at Blenheim Palace and The Blenheim Palace Food Festival.

Shop & Eat 

Blenheim Palace has a variety of cafés and restaurants on site serving everything from informal coffee and cake to luxury afternoon teas, three-course lunches and more. Every delectable dish is made in house using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and with seasonal specials on offer each month, there is always something new to try. The refurbished Orangery Restaurant is now open. Enjoy refreshments at the new and fresh bar space or make a reservation for a scrumptious Sunday lunch. Experience elegant dining with the Afternoon Tea, featuring authentically British, house-made scones, delightful sweet treats, and an array of dainty sandwiches. Alternatively, try the Oxfordshire Pantry or Stables Café for coffee, cake, sandwiches, pastries and hot meals. The Walled Garden Pizzeria is the perfect place to enjoy delicious handmade pizzas, tasty salads and hot or cold refreshments after exploring. Spend some time in the award-winning East Courtyard Shop and treat yourself to some of the fabulous items available for purchase, including locally produced crafts, luxurious gifts, and many ranges that are exclusive to Blenheim Palace. Whether you are searching for gifts for loved ones or a treat for yourself, Blenheim Palace’s exclusive shop promise something special for everybody. 

Special Offers

Annual Pass Offer - Buy one day, get 12 months FREE!

It's completely free to convert a day ticket to Blenheim Palace, Park & Gardens into an Annual Pass; you just need to donate the cost to our charity during purchase. To take advantage of this offer, purchase a day ticket, and donate your admission to receive an Annual Pass. Your Annual Pass will activate on your first visit to Blenheim!