Blenheim Palace has announced a series of once-in-a-lifetime views and visitor experiences, which will only be available for a limited time due to the launch of its most ambitious restoration project.
The historic roof project at Blenheim Palace is an extensive, multi-million-pound restoration effort designed to preserve the architectural integrity and cultural heritage of this UNESCO World Heritage Site for generations to come. This initiative focuses on restoring critical sections of the Palace roof, ensuring its resilience against environmental challenges and safeguarding the intricate historical features that define Blenheim’s unique architecture.
Through this restoration, Blenheim Palace aims to protect its structural heritage and enhance the visitor experience by offering a closer look at the craftsmanship and conservation efforts behind this iconic British landmark.
Alongside the restoration work commencing next year, three exclusive new experiences at Blenheim Palace will be available from Spring 2025.
Roof Top View
Blenheim Palace is set to raise its roof with an all-new ticketed viewing platform experience, providing visitors with never-before-seen views over the Estate, including the famous Column of Victory and the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside—an entirely unique perspective from above the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Life Below Stairs
For the first time, visitors will get to go below the Palace and step back in history to explore the hidden world of Blenheim Palace’s servants. The new Life Below Stairs experience will allow visitors to see the historically significant original palace kitchens, where they can immerse themselves in the spaces and hear the sounds of the staff working as they prepare for an important royal visit.
During the visit, the day-to-day life, stories, and experiences of the kitchen staff, butler, household team, and gardens team, all of whom served the Marlborough family and were an important part of Blenheim Palace’s operations, will be revealed. Life Below Stairs will give a sense of the Blenheim team of the 1890s.
Family Treasures
Blenheim Palace’s exclusive tour of the private apartments allows visitors to explore rooms steeped in history and filled with remarkable artefacts. This extended State Room Tour provides insight into the lives of the dukes, duchesses, and guests who have passed through these halls.
The tour will begin in the family Dining Room, followed by a visit to the Smoking Room, where George Stubbs’ portrait of a tigress is displayed. Next, guests will be welcomed into the Duchess’s Sitting Room, home to a unique 1787 clock designed by renowned clockmaker Benjamin Vulliamy for George III. This clock features a delicate Derby biscuit porcelain figure depicting Andromache mourning over the ashes of Hector from the Trojan War.
Moving into the Drawing Rooms, visitors can trace the footsteps of royalty and visitors who frequented these halls. The final stop is the Grand Cabinet, a space that showcases a rare Savonnerie Carpet from around 1750, crafted by the Parisian carpet manufacturer. The Grand Cabinet also holds the Palace’s most impressive collection of family portraits. It is usually reserved for private family occasions, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of Blenheim’s treasured artefacts and decor.
Heather Carter, Managing Director of Blenheim Palace said, “This is a truly historic moment for Blenheim Palace and a chance for everyone to see it from a whole new perspective. The restoration project is not just about preserving our past; it’s about creating new ways for visitors to engage with our history now and well into the future.
“Alongside the monumental restoration, to be able to offer these unique, immersive experiences that showcase Blenheim Palace like never before is a dream. We’re grateful for the continued support of our visitors, whose contributions are vital to the success of the initiative.”
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