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November 21 2008
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Blenheim Palace
    Blenheim Palace
Woodstock
OX20 1PX
Oxfordshire
England
Collection details
Architecture, Personalities
Facilities
Parking: yes Food: yes Shop: yes Guided tours: yes Baby changing facilities: yes Wheelchair access: yes
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Blenheim Palace is situated in the picturesque and historic town of Woodstock, 8 miles North West of Oxford on the A44 Evesham Road, and approximately an hour's drive from both London and Birmingham. Stratford-upon-Avon is only 45 minutes drive away. Approaching Oxford on the M40, exit at junction 9 and follow signs to Blenheim. From other directions take the A44 exit from the Oxford by-pass. There is unlimited free car parking for cars and coaches. The nearest British Rail main line station is Oxford. The number 20 bus runs from there to Woodstock at approximately 30 minute intervals.
Contact details
24 hour recorded information service (Tel) : 01993 811325
General information (Fax) : 01993 813527
E-mail : administrator@blenheimpalace.com
Website : www.blenheimpalace.com
Open
The Palace and Gardens open for the season on 16th February with a year dedicated to the Victorians. Open every day until 4th November and then 5th November - 14th December Tues-Sat Only.
10.30 - 17.30. LAST ENTRY 16.45
Closed
The Palace and Gardens close from the 15th December but the Park remains open every day except Christmas day.
Admission charges
Palace, park & Gdns (£) Park & Gdns (£)
Adult 16.50 9.50
Concession 13.50 7.30
Child 10.00 4.80
Family (2+2) 44.00 24.50

Description
Set in the Oxfordshire Cotswold’s, Blenheim Palace is considered to be one of the finest baroque houses in the country, a gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, in recognition of his famous victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Inside the Palace can be found a superb collection of tapestries, paintings, porcelain and furniture in the magnificent State Rooms.

Sir Winston Churchill was born in the Palace in 1874 and a permanent exhibition about him is located next to his birth room – both are included in the Palace tour. He is buried in a simple grave in the nearby church at Bladon. A separate exhibition, ‘Churchills’ Destiny – the story of two great war leaders’, celebrates the achievements of Winston and his great hero and ancestor, John Churchill.
A State-of-the-art visitor experience is open in the heart of the Palace called ‘Blenheim Palace: the Untold Story’. Dramatic moments from the last 300 years of history at Blenheim Palace are brought to life through animatronic figures and innovative film and projection technology, seen through the eyes of the servants.
Surrounding the Palace are over 2,000 acres of beautiful ‘Capability Brown’ parkland, lakes, fountains and formal gardens. A miniature train connects the Palace to the Pleasure Gardens, where, amongst a range of fun activities for children, can be found the Marlborough Maze, the Butterfly House, the Lavender Garden and ‘Blenheim Bygones’ exhibition.

A very busy events programme is on offer throughout the year, including jousting tournaments, half-term costumed entertainment, evening concerts and the Palace dressed for Christmas.

Opening Hours: Park 9am to 4.45pm Palace 10.30am to 5.30pm Gardens 10am to 6pm
LAST Admission 4.45pm.

Collections description
Sir Winston Churchill, arguably the greatest parliamentarian this country has ever seen, was born at Blenheim Palace on the 30th November 1874 at 1.30am. His birth room is on view to visitors and is set west of the Great Hall in the suite of apartments once allotted to the 1st Duke of Marlborough’s domestic Chaplain. In the Churchill Exhibition, near the birth room, can be seen Oscar Nemon’s bronze of Sir Winston and Lady Churchill as well as Sir Winston’s painting of the Great Hall at Blenheim.

Key artists and exhibits
Sir Winston Churchill


Articles
Summer 2008 Holiday Ideas At UK Heritage Sites And Museums
24 Hour Museum's Re-enactment Recommendations For August
MGM 2008 - May Is Museums And Galleries Month 2008!
Kahlo, Churchill And Monet — The Big Exhibitions Of 2005

Trails
Hidden Treasure Trail For Oxford

Events
Christmas at Blenheim Palace
Living Crafts for Christmas at Blenheim Palace
Festive Entertainment at Blenheim Palace
 

General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
Parking for coaches
Guided tours
Disability Access
Toilets for disabled
Wheelchair access to some public areas
Children and Families
Baby changing facilities
Children's play area
Events and resources for children and families
Gardens open to public
Picnic area
General Education
Education facilities available
Schools Education
Primary school education service available
Secondary school education service available
Facilities
Cafeteria
Facilities for private functions and events
Gardens open to public
Picnic area
Refreshments
Restaurant
Shop