Blenheim Palace

Magnificent country house and vast estate with formal gardens.

from 12817 Google reviews

1 of 12

About the garden

Discover one of the UK’s grandest country estates and a magnificent stately home at Blenheim Palace - a UNESCO world heritage site. With over 2000 acres of parkland, woodlands and formal gardens to explore, these naturalistic grounds, designed by the world-famous Capability Brown, are breathtaking in scale. It’s no wonder that Churchill described the Palace as ‘the finest view in England’, as many blockbuster films, from Harry Potter to James Bond have since been filmed here, taking advantage of the swoon-worthy vistas.

The 150 acres of Formal Gardens alone are worth the trip (and the membership, which is included in the price of a Palace, Park and Gardens ticket), bursting into life in the springtime with a carpet of gently nodding Daffodils and Cherry blossom. The tightly trimmed Box hedging, detailed ornamental fountains and sheer scale of the palace facade make the Water Terraces a must-see, even in the depths of Winter. But late Spring and Summer are perhaps the best time to visit, with Roses and herbaceous borders vibrant with colour and the dappled shade of the Formal Gardens providing some welcome relief from the sunshine.

Inside the palace, lavishly decorated frescos pepper the walls and ceilings of this awe-inspiring building - no visit to the dreaming spires of Oxford is complete without a trip to Blenheim Palace. The scale and elegance of the state rooms will leave you breathless and the Palace also hosts seasonal exhibitions, so that every visit has something new to offer.

With everything from a butterfly house to a play area, pizza cafe, miniature train ride, the Marlborough Yew Maze (two miles in length!) and constantly changing exhibitions, it’s impossible to cover all of the delights of Blenheim Palace in a few paragraphs. The best way to discover what’s on is simply to take a trip and explore the magnificent grounds and opulent historic home yourself - it’s sure to be an unforgettable day out!

How long is a typical visit?

The average visitor spends 4+ hours (All Day) at Blenheim Palace.

Opening times

Year Round Every Day* Palace: 10AM - 4.15PM (Last Entry 3.45PM) Park: 9.30AM - 5PM Gardens: 9.30AM - 5PM Pre-booked entry time slot is required. Individual attractions may have different opening times. *CLOSURES: 8-9 Nov, 25 Dec, 4 Jan

Useful details

Garden area

2000 Acres

Dog walking

Yes - Dogs on leads. No dogs in the Palace itself, the main Courtyards the Formal or Walled Gardens, with the exception of assistance dogs.

Cafe or restaurant

Food and drink facilities include a food stall and a cafe/restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.

Family

Yes - Children of all ages.

Bicycle storage

Yes - You can lock up your bike.

Wheelchair access

Very accessible (all paths flat and paved).

Shops

Yes - There is a gift shop.

Wheelchair hire

Wheelchairs are available for hire. Mobility scooters are available

Oxfordshire, OX20 1PP

Check local coronavirus guidance before you visit

Weather forecast

Find the garden

Blenheim Palace

Oxfordshire

OX20 1PP

Sat Nav Postcode

OX20 1UL

Public Transport

There are three bus routes from Oxford City Centre (not far from the train station) to Woodstock.

Buses stop outside the main entrance, from where it’s a 10-minute stroll through the park to the Palace.

Stagecoach Buses S3 and 7 start from Oxford Railway Station, and also pick up at Oxford Gloucester Green Bus Station.

Oxford Bus Company's 500 service starts from Oxford Railway Station, and also picks up on George Street.

All three services operate every 30 minutes.

Stagecoach Bus 233 operates from Burford via Carterton, Witney and Hanborough Station to Blenheim entrance.

This service operates every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays.

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Things to see

No features yet for this season

Google reviews

4.7
from 12817 Google reviews

Olga Smulyanskaya

3 weeks ago

Is amazing place! Huge park with so many different kind of birds! Very picturesque views! Nice to see the tree from Harry Potter movie. Place has its unique spirit. Is a nice jumping out for a half day! Definitely recommend it!

joshua khoo

2 months ago

A fantastic place to visit. The house is magnificent and the grounds are spectacular. The staff and volunteers are friendly and informative and there are also plenty of car parks. Would recommend anyone of all ages to visit. We went on the self-guided tour which took us through the magnificent state rooms. The rooms are extremely opulent and full of large tapestries and paintings. There’s grand fireplaces and currently displays of contemporary art. The entrance hall itself is a sight to behold.

Gareth Symons

7 months ago

Loved it! The grounds are beautiful and kept in immaculate condition. Lots of history and different areas to visit in the ground. The waterfall and Harry Potter Tree are a must. Bring a picnic and e joy the endless lawn. Great day out for the family!

Pranava Tandra

2 weeks ago

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Blenheim palace and its gardens, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. The architecture of the palace itself was stunning, with ornate details and grandeur that truly took my breath away. The grounds had walking paths that were well-maintained and provided a peaceful, serene atmosphere for a leisurely stroll. I specially loved the path towards pump house. The lake-side walk is just amazing and shows the quintessential British countryside. It's a must-see for anyone interested in history, architecture, or simply seeking a peaceful day out.

Terrence Lai

6 months ago

Awesome, awe inspiring, jaw dropping and edifying experience to the largest palace in England! Completely floored by the sheer size, extravagance and deep history that its grounds & building carry! Definitely worth coming back again and again because there are just so many different stories to listen to and learn from.

Contact the garden

01993 810530

blenheimpalace.com/

facebook.com/BlenheimPalace/

twitter.com/BlenheimPalace

customerservice@blenheimpalace.com

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