Oxfordshire Tourist Guide - Articles

Blenheim Palace opens from 10.30am to 5.30pm (last admission 4.45pm) from February 16th until December 14th 2008. It is open daily until November 2nd, and from November 5th to December 14th the Palace and formal gardens open from Wednesday to Sunday. The Park is open all year round from 9am (last admission 4.45pm or dusk) except Christmas Day.

All ‘Palace, Park & Gardens’ tickets allow access to Blenheim Palace which includes guided tours of the State Rooms ( except on Sundays and Bank Holidays) the new permanent visitor experience ‘Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story’, the Churchill Exhibition charting the life of Sir Winston Churchill, entertainment except when separate admission prices are recommended. ‘Park and Gardens’ tickets do not include Palace entry. Both tickets include access to two thousand acres of stunning parkland, the formal Gardens, free train rides on the miniature train to the Pleasure Gardens and all attractions at the Pleasure Gardens including the Marlborough Maze, adventure play area, the Butterfly House (closed from end of October) the lavender garden, and ‘Blenheim Bygones’ exhibition. Tickets will also include entrance to the popular ‘Churchills’ Destiny’ - The story of two great war leaders’ exhibition.

Please see the Blenheim Palace website for further information on Admission prices & opening hours

SPECIAL EVENTS:

SPRING

16th February Blenheim Palace Opens for
‘The Victorians at Blenheim Palace’

16th – 29th February Victorian Technology –
Railways and Telephones at Blenheim Palace
Half Term exhibition with displays from the Great Western Railway Society and Milton Keynes Museum. Discover what the Victorians did for Blenheim Palace; the development of the telephone system and who brought the railway to Woodstock. Inside the Palace, learn about the 8th Duke’s pioneering experiments with telephones and electricity in the exciting visitor experience ‘Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story’. PPG + P&G


21st– 24th March Crack the Easter Egg Challenge at Blenheim Palace – with Lindt Chocolate Bunnies
(Easter Weekend) Join in the family fun with the fifth annual Easter Egg Challenge at Blenheim Palace, including Punch & Judy and storytelling. Follow the trail of clues around the beautiful Pleasure Gardens; will they be in the Marlborough Maze, Butterfly House or the ‘Blenheim Bygones’ Exhibition? Complete the hunt and you will receive a delicious Lindt Chocolate Bunny. P&G

5th – 20th April Victorian Games in the Pleasure Gardens
Take a ride on the miniature train to the Pleasure Gardens for Victorian themed family activities and entertainment including croquet, the hoola hoop challenge, and test your strength on the Striker. P&G

3RD – 5th May Jousting and the Victorians
(May Bank Holiday) Featuring ‘The Knights of Royal England’
Blenheim Palace brings the elegance of Victorian leisure to the South Lawn with a re-enactment of a great Jousting contest that took place at Earl’s Court in 1912. Picnic on the South Lawn and enjoy the activities including archery, falconry displays and storytelling. P&G


10th May Ferrari Owners Club – Spring Picnic
Spectacular gathering of more than 100 Ferraris parked in and adjoining The Great Court – featuring the early V12 cars up to the most modern models from the range. P&G

24th May – 8th June Henry Taunt Exhibition.
An exhibition of the celebrated Victorian Oxford based photographer which brings together his photographs of the local area. (With kind permission of English Heritage NMR). Displayed in the Stables Courtyard and throughout the Palace. Family tours are available inside the Palace. PPG + P&G

24th – 26thth May Living Heritage Oxfordshire Craft Fair
(Whitsun Holiday) A country craft show held at Blenheim Palace including some of the finest craftsmen, artists and designers in the country. Live demonstrations include glass blowing, wood carving and lace-making. P&G


SUMMER

7th & 8th June Blenheim Palace Triathlon
This is a great day out for spectators - make sure you bring your friends and family along. Blenheim Palace will provide a stunning backdrop to the event and will be open for Palace tours throughout the day.
Admission included for spectators. P&G
NB. Please note that activity takes place within the Great Court and therefore admission procedures could be affected.

19th July - 31st August Victorian Servants and Domestic Service at Blenheim Palace.
Summer holiday costumed entertainment in the Great Court and Pleasure Gardens. Trails of the grounds show the daily duties of servants and domestic service’s at the Palace during the Victorian era. Show and tell activities and entertainment in the Great Court including Victorian bicycles and Dandy Chargers. Visit the Blenheim Bygones Exhibition in the Pleasure Gardens with tools and artefacts from years gone by. PPG + P&G

19th July Battle Proms evening picnic concert
The Battle Proms is an outdoor concert expertly bringing together sound, light and spectacle with a unique combination of superb classical music, 200 cannons, cavalry displays and impressive fireworks. Spectacular spitfire flying display in 2008.
Visit www.battleproms.com Separate admission prices apply.

25th - 27th July The 50th CLA Game Fair
The hugely popular CLA Game Fair returns to Blenheim Palace every four years. Highly rated by families as well as country sport enthusiasts with major food, equestrian and gardening exhibitions plus fun features demonstrating conservation and new activities in the countryside alongside all the traditional country sports shows.
Palace, Park and Gardens open as usual.
Visit www.gamefair.co.uk Separate admission prices apply.


8th - 10th August Jousting and the Victorians
Featuring ‘The Knights of Royal England’
Blenheim Palace brings the elegance of Victorian leisure to the South Lawn with a re-enactment of a great Jousting contest that took place at Earl’s Court in 1912. Picnic on the South Lawn and enjoy the activities including archery, falconry displays and storytelling. P&G

13th – 17th August Imperial Ice Stars Present ‘Sleeping Beauty on Ice’
A Big-Top Tent brings this magical ice performance to the Park at Blenheim Palace. Both matinee and evening performances will be available. Visit www.imperialicestars.com
Separate admission prices apply.


23rd – 25th August Living Heritage Oxfordshire Craft Fair
(August Bank Holiday) The country craft show returns to Blenheim Palace and includes some of the finest craftsmen, artists and designers in the country. Live demonstrations include glass blowing, wood carving and lace-making. P&G




AUTUMN

11th – 14th September Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials
The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is one of the world's premier three-star three-day events. Set in the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace, the horse trials offer a fabulous opportunity to see some of the world's finest riders and their horses compete against one another in a truly spectacular environment.
Palace, Park and Gardens open as usual.
Visit www.blenheim-horse.co.uk
Separate admission for the Horse Trials.

21st September Classic Car and Motorcycle Show
A spectacular gathering of more than 200 classic cars and motorcycles – from vintage through to classic modern marques as well as Kit and Custom Cars and much more. A great day out for the classic car enthusiast. P&G


28th September Bike Blenheim Palace (P)
An exciting new autumn event to be staged in conjunction with British Cycling. Watch Elite and Club Cyclists compete during the morning and then enjoy the challenge as the three route distances through the Park are opened for everyone to enjoy at their leisure – a great family opportunity to enjoy the supreme beauty of the world heritage Park. An event village with demonstrations and traders will help support the day and promote cycling awareness to everyone. P&G


25th October – 2nd November A Victorian Halloween at Blenheim Palace
Half term costumed entertainment in the Great Court. Victorian stories and fun-filled spooky activities for all the family.
PPG + P&G

WINTER


15th Nov – 14th December Christmas at Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is decorated for Christmas with a Victorian theme. Estate-grown Christmas trees sparkle in the Great Court and elegant decorations adorn the State Rooms. PPG + P&G

21st – 23rd November Living Crafts for Christmas
Celebrating the best of British crafts, there is no better place to stock up on presents and stocking fillers. Find unusual gifts from amongst a stunning range of the highest quality work created by around ninety of the country’s top craftspeople. P&G
Advanced tickets available.

13th & 14th December Festive entertainment at the Palace
Traditional carols and festive music to celebrate Christmas and the end of the season. PPG + P&G

15th December Blenheim Palace and Gardens closed for the winter.
Park remains open daily (except Christmas Day).

All events listed are provisional bookings. The details of these events may change. Please check prior to your visit.

PPG: Palace, Park and Gardens ticket required to access event
P&G: Park & Gardens ticket required to access event
PPG + P&G: Denotes activity inside the Palace as well as the Park & Gardens.