Blenheim Palace

We left our lovely accommodation in Moreton-in-Marsh driving 20 miles to Woodstock for Blenheim Palace.

We’ve wanted to visit Blenheim for some time – it has quite a history.   It’s the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough and the only non-royal house to be called a palace.  Queen Anne gifted John Churchill, the first Duke, the land and monies to build a grand home after he led the victory over the French and Bavarians in the 1704 Battle of Blenheim.  But a fall out with said royalty meant the promised funds did not materialise in full so the house was not finished until after the deaths of the Queen and the Duke.  The final date of completion is not known but there are 1735 records showing wrangling still going on!

Winston Churchill was born here in 1874.  His grandfather was the 7th Duke. 

The 9th Duke inherited the near bankrupt estate in 1892.  His answer to this problem was to marry the wealthy American railroad heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt.  Her father gave almost $78 million (today’s value) to the Duke on their marriage!

The house was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in the Baroque style.  Along with Nicholas Hawksmoor he designed Castle Howard in Yorkshire too.

The Palace is very grand and the formal grounds have a touch of Versailles about them.

As it was our anniversary, we had a celebratory lunch at their ‘posh’ Orangery restaurant with our friends J & D instead of our usual coffee and cake!