Blenheim Palace
Baroque palace and World Heritage Site, birthplace of Winston Churchill.
Blenheim Palace near Woodstock was built between 1705 and 1722 as the nation's gift to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, after his victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in the dramatic English Baroque style, it is one of the largest houses in England and remains the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough.
It is also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Visitors can tour the richly decorated State Rooms, the formal Water Terraces and Italian Garden, and a vast landscaped park reshaped by Capability Brown, while the estate hosts major seasonal events throughout the year.
Highlights
- State Rooms and the Long Library
- Churchill's birth room and exhibition
- Water Terraces and formal gardens
- Capability Brown parkland, lake and Grand Bridge