A Day Out at Blenheim, near Oxford

{mosimage}There is so much history in Oxford and the surrounding area, from the many historic colleges and landmarks in the City itself to the towns and villages in the surrounding area. One such area is Blenheim, a distinctive sight laid out in beautiful grounds near the village of Woodstock just North of Oxford.

Throughout the summer Blenheim has an extensive programme of events for just about everyone, from classical concerts to jousting tournaments, so it’s well worth keeping an eye out for the latest events on the web site at www.blenheimpalace.com

For the summer of 2007 the major events are as follows

July
22nd – Fly to the Past – a festival of the history of flight

28th – Battle Proms Concert
more info

From 23rd – Summer Holiday Entertainment
more info

August

10th – 12th – Blenheim Palace Jousting Tournament
more info

25th – 27th – Living Heritage Oxfordshire Craft Fair
more info

September

6th – 9th – Blenheim International Horse Trials
more info

In addition to the events Blenheim is well worth seeing on it’s own account and has a fascinating history.

In recent times the palace was the birth place of Sir Winston Churchill (30th November 1874) and houses an exhibition devoted to the wartime leader.He is buried in the nearby churchyard of Bladon. This is useful as a ‘field trip’ with your children if they are studying the war, and war is very much feature of the history of the palace.

Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, the palace was the gift of a grateful nation to John Churchill who was granted the Royal Manor of Woodstock (and £240,000 from Queen Anne herself) in recognition of his victory over the armies of the French King Louis the Fourteenth at the battle of Blenheim. £240,000 is still a great deal of money today. It’s value in 1705 was incaculable. Unfortunately the Duke (and his wife Sarah, a Lady in waiting of the Queen) feel from favour after the victory and the promised money was never paid with the result that the ‘grateful nation’ left it’s greatest general in debt to the tune of over 40,000. The palace was left unfinished until the Queen died, when the Duke and his Duchess negotiated direct with the craftsmen involved and finished the palace at their own expense.

The palace is still the home of the Dukes of Marlborough.