Blenheim Palace

Home to the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. His ancestor, John Churchill, was the 1st Duke of Marlborough.

Blenheim Palace was declared a World Heritage site in 1987, and is a key example of English Baroque design. Designed by Sir John Vanburgh, the flamboyant style was never truly accepted by the public and his reputation never recovered. The State rooms feature hand-painted ceiling friezes, intricate plasterwork, and huge collections of tapestries, porcelain, furniture and paintings.

The palace is set in acres of lawns, landscaped gardens and parkland designed by 'Capability' Brown, who is known as England's greatest landscape architect. The Pleasure Gardens is popular with younger visitors, and is often the location of organised family and children's activities.       

Accessibility

The State rooms are accessible with wheelchairs and prams via the lift. The upper floor which contains the permanent exhibition 'Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story' is not accessible however. The cinema room runs a short film on the exhibition so that all visitors can view the displays.

Much of the gardens are easy to access with prams and wheelchairs, but some areas have uneven surfaces. It is recommended that visitors ask for details of an appropriate route on arrival.

Blenheim Palace has wheelchairs available for loan, but they should be booked in advance.

The palace is in Woodstock, and is easily accessible by car. Trains run to Oxford Station (8 miles away), and many coach and bus services are available from London and surrounding towns.

Facilities

Toilets, disabled toilets and baby change facilities are available.

There is a gift shop on site, and restaurant which serves hot meals (high chairs are provided). A cafe in the Pleasure Gardens sells snacks, and there is also an ice-cream parlour.

Contact Details:
Blenheim Palace,
Woodstock,
Oxfordshire,
OX20 1PP
Tel: 01993 811091