As part of our BirchallsBritain celebration of the Cotswolds one place that cried out to be featured was the historical Blenheim Palace. A true masterpiece of Baroque architecture, Blenheim Palace delivers an awe-inspiring experience for visitors. Here we showcase some of the great features of the wonderful palaces and it’s grounds. We urge you to pay it a visit!
The History
Blenheim Palace was built in the early 18th Century to celebrate victory over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession. In particular, it was built as a gift to the 1st Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill, the military commander who led the Allied forces in the Battle of Blenheim on 13th August 1704.
The Column of Victory was built in the northern part of the Park and stands at 134 feet high. It is crowned by a lead statue of the 1st Duke of Marlborough which depicts him dressed as a Roman general.
Following the palace’s completion, it became the home of the Churchill family for the next 300 years with Sir Winston Churchill born at Blenheim Palace in 1874
The Park
The inspired work of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown has created a lasting legacy in the Park at Blenheim Palace, and with over 2,000 acres to explore there is always more to discover.
New research has found that Blenheim Palace is home to the greatest collection of ancient oak trees anywhere in Europe. The collection is located in an area of the Estate called High Park, which was originally created by King Henry I as part of a royal deer park in the 12th century. Around 90% of the woodland is made up of oak trees and it is thought that at least 60 of these oaks are up to 900 years old!
Gardens
The picture-perfect British stately home of Blenheim Palace sits among more than 2,000 acres of extraordinary landscaped Parkland and Formal Gardens.
From great open spaces punctuated by mature trees, through intricate Formal Gardens like the Water Terraces to more peaceful areas such as the Secret Garden, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in our open Gardens.
To find out more about Blenheim Palace visit www.blenheimpalace.com
Also view our region trailer here which featured great aerial video of the palace and its grounds, https://birchalltea.co.uk/birchalls-britain-celebrating-the-cotswolds/
