The exceptional Blenheim Palace

Among many beautiful "countryhouses" in the UK, one of my favorites is the Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Not only is the palace a marvelous site for a relaxing day trip from Oxford, but it also has a historical significance. On November 30th in 1874, Sir Winston Churchill was born at this very place and later spent much of his childhood there. It is not a surprise that the Blenheim Palace became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Here is a short introduction to the Blenheim Palace:

In celebration of the victory over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701 - 1714), the Blenheim Palace was built as a gift to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough. John Churchill was the commander in the battle of Blenheim in 1704. and that is why the palace was named Blenheim. Despite its title as a palace, the Blenheim Palace is a non-royal country house. The Baroque architecture of the place emphasizes its extravagance, as well as its palace status. Today, the palace still belongs to the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough.

What makes the Blenheim Palace an interesting destination are the various art and culture events organized frequently on site. For instance, restoration and conservation tours, live concerts, and art exhibitions, such as "The Young Turner: Ambitions in Architecture and the Art of Perspective" (16th February – 22nd April 2019). You can also join free guided tours, led by volunteers, who will tell you "untold stories and secrets" of the palace. Visiting the palace is an entertaining as much as a learning experience, so it is ideal for people from different age groups.

The garden of the Blenheim Palace is also a great delight that should not be missed. The typical English landscape surrounding the palace reminded me of the setting for a Jane Austen's novel.  The most impressive part outdoor, is definitely the Marlborough Maze, representing the history of the palace, while the maze is the second largest symbolic maze in the world. Plus, the Blenheim Palace has been the filming location of many famous films including "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (2007), "The Young Victoria" (2008), and "SPECTRE (007)" (2015). The most recent blockbuster that was filmed here was "Transformers: The Last Knight" (2017).   

Blenheim Gardens

Blenheim Road, TA24 5PZ Minehead

Other fantastic day trips from Oxford include Bibury, the most beautiful village in England and the Waddesdon Manor, originally the country house of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild (1839–1898).

Blenheim Palace, UK

Ανάκτορο Μπλενχάιμ, Woodstock OX20 1PP, Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο

Cover picture: The lake at the Blenheim Palace | Picture credits to © iStock/yanjf