Visiting Blenheim Palace near Oxford (tips for the best trip)

Are you planning a visit to Blenheim Palace? In this article, I will answer common questions about visiting Blenheim Palace as well as providing practical tips to help you make the most of your trip.

Blenheim Palace is located a few miles north of Oxford and is one of 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the UK. It was also notably the birthplace of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. This historic stately home is the present home of the 12th Duke of Marlborough Charles James Spencer-Churchill and his family. 

Queen Anne commissioned the palace as a gift to the 1st Duke. Built in the Baroque style and designed rather controversially at the time by the architect Sir John Vanbrugh it took 17 years to build and was finally completed in 1722.

Blenheim is famous for its beautiful grounds including the Marlborough Maze and Butterfly House.  These are best visited during the warmer summer months though when you may even catch a game of cricket being played in the grounds around the palace.

Blenheim Palace has also been used as a filming location for popular movies such as Harry Potter, James Bond and Indiana Jones.

Fans of period dramas such as Downton Abbey will also enjoy this stately home which along with others such as Chatsworth House and Highclere Castle represent an era of privilege and upstairs-downstairs divisions between the gentry and their servants.

If you’re planning a visit to Blenheim Palace, this article will give you an idea of what to expect and also some hints and tips to ensure you make the most of your visit.

I would plan to spend at least half a day (3 or 4 hours) at Blenheim Palace but it is easy to spend a day there.

Recommended tour – enjoy a personalised 90-minute private tour of Blenheim Palace with a historian and afterwards, explore the palace and its grounds at your own pace.

Some common questions about Blenheim Palace

WHERE IS BLENHEIM PALACE AND HOW DO I GET THERE?

Where is Blenheim Palace Located?

Blenheim Palace is situated in Woodstock in Oxfordshire in the south-east of England approximately 60 miles north-west of London.

It is 8 miles north of Oxford on the eastern boundary of the Cotswolds.

How to Get to Blenheim Palace from London 

London to Blenheim by Public Transport (train, bus or car)

It is also an easy day trip from London by train, bus or car.

If you decide to visit by train it takes just under an hour from London Marylebone to Oxford Parkway Station. Once you have arrived purchase a return ticket for the #500 Park and Ride Bus. It is then a short 15-minute bus ride to Blenheim.

Blenheim is encouraging visitors to use sustainable public transport options. Use the code GREEN20 and when purchasing your tickets online on the official website and you will receive a 20% discount if arriving by train or bus.

Good to know – If you decide to drive to Blenheim Palace free parking is available when you arrive. It can be very busy during school holidays, weekends and public holidays.

London to Blenheim by organised tour

If you prefer to take a tour there are numerous tours available to Blenheim Palace from London.

Many also incorporate visits to some of the beautiful villages in the Cotswolds.

There are some lovely places to visit on the way to Blenheim including Oxford and the Cotswolds. I recommend combining your trip to Blenheim Palace with any of the following great tours

• Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey Village & the Cotswolds – this whole day tour also includes a visit to the village of Bampton, the Downton Abbey village.
• From London: Windsor and Blenheim Palace Small Group Tour – includes a visit to the Queen’s home at Windsor for a walking tour.
• Stratford, Warwick & Blenheim PrivateTour from London – a luxury chauffeur-driven tour to three of the UK’s most popular destinations. 

THINGS TO DO IN BLENHEIM – VISITING THE HOUSE

Blenheim Palace Tours

Explore the State Rooms which are full of priceless tapestries and paintings. I would highly recommend using the audio-guide which lasts about 40 minutes.

There are additional tours available for a small fee which includes

The ‘Blenheim Palace Upstairs’ Tour – Visit the Marlborough family’s private apartments.

The ‘Blenheim Palace Downstairs‘ Tour – Find out what life was like for the servants at Blenheim Palace.

Formal Gardens Walking Tour – Learn how the gardens have developed and changed over the last 300 years.

The Churchill Exhibition

Take a stroll through the Churchill Exhibition and find out about British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. There is also a memorial garden in the park and the Temple of Diana where he proposed to his wife Clementine.

VISITING THE PARK AND GARDENS

While truthfully we weren’t overwhelmed by the house we loved the park and gardens. We visited on a perfectly beautiful English summer’s day and it was fantastic.

The gardens are beautiful and there was so much to see and do. I would recommend planning at least 2-3 hours to explore the park and gardens.

Blenheim Palace Pleasure Gardens

For 50p each (single journey) you can take the miniature train from the house entrance to the family-friendly Pleasure Gardens. Make sure you have some coins with you to pay for the train.

Blenheim Butterfly House

Don’t miss the Blenheim Palace butterfly house where you can see butterfly species from all over the world. There are also lots of little zebra finches enjoying the tropical climate of the butterfly house.

Marlborough Maze

I am going to admit it but the Blenheim Palace Maze was the first maze I had ever been in. It is two miles in length and consists of hundreds of yew trees. When you eventually find your way into the middle you will find a statue of Cupid.

Use the lookouts to help you get your bearings especially when you are trying to find your way out.

Gardens and Park

When visiting Blenheim Palace in summer a walk through the gardens and parklands is a must. Created by Capability Brown over 11 years Blenheim Palace grounds and parklands are quintessentially English and simply stunning.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION WHEN PLANNING A VISIT

Blenheim Palace Admission Prices

If you are planning to visit the house, park and gardens and choose to donate the cost of your entry to the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation Charity you benefit from a free Blenheim Palace annual pass.

Worth it and you are also helping preserve the house and grounds for future generations. If you choose not to visit the house but purely the park and gardens the entry fee is cheaper but can’t be converted into an annual pass.

Blenheim Palace entrance fee examples:

• Palace, Park and Gardens – £38 (Adults) £22 (Children age 3 -16)

• Park and Gardens – £28 (Adults) £13.50 (Children)

Blenheim Palace opening hours  – see the official website for more information.

*Prices correct March 2024

→ CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES FOR ENTRANCE TO BLENHEIM PALACE**

** Note – this ticket cannot be converted to an annual pass

Tips for visiting Blenheim Palace

• Food and drink – there are lots of places to buy food/drink at Blenheim Palace but we found it quite pricy. I recommend taking a picnic if visiting during the warmer summer months.

• Events at Blenheim Palace – If you are an annual pass holder check out some of the events that take place at Blenheim throughout the year. These include the spectacular illuminated trail through the gardens during the festive season and entertainment displays and workshops for all the family in the summer. Christmas at Blenheim Palace is certainly on my bucket list!

• Blenheim Palace World Heritage Site. Blenheim Palace was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 for outstanding universal value. One for the pub quiz!

ENJOY YOUR VISIT TO BLENHEIM PALACE

Do you plan to visit Blenheim Palace or have you been? If you have any questions or comments about visiting Blenheim or anywhere else in the UK you can contact me here.

If you are looking for more places to visit in England my UK Bucket List will provide you with 100 ideas!