Birthplace of Winston Churchill – Sir Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace in 1874 and The only non-royal palace in England – Blenheim is the only non-royal, non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace.
Despite driving past it countless times, our first family visit to Blenheim Palace wasn’t until last Halloween. I’ll be honest, the entry price can feel a little eye-watering unless you’re planning to really make a day of it. That said, for the same cost you can often upgrade to an annual pass (many attractions do this), which suddenly makes it a much better deal.
For our first visit, we booked the Spooky Trail as a Halloween treat. It was great fun, but as it was a special event, large parts of the palace were closed, so we didn’t get to see everything. Naturally, that left us curious and determined to come back.
This summer we finally returned, determined to soak up as much as we could. As is often the case with family outings, we were a little short on time, but it was still worth it. We’re already plotting another trip in the autumn.
One of the first things I noticed – it wasn’t overcrowded. There was so much space for the twins to roam about, and for us to enjoy the day at a slower, more relaxing pace.
We also happened to visit at a unique moment: the palace roof is undergoing restoration. This means ticket holders can currently enjoy a rare rooftop view – something that won’t be possible once the work is complete. Add to that Blenheim’s 75th anniversary of welcoming visitors (their “diamond anniversary”) and it felt like we’d chosen the perfect time.
After a wander through the palace and a trip up to the roof, we grabbed a spot of lunch, followed by a cheeky ice cream (because no family day out is complete without one). Before heading home, we popped into the gift shop near the main café and Orangery. Think high-end garden centre meets historic luxury – they even have a Penhaligon’s fragrance partnership.
One thing I didn’t realise, our Privilege Pass gives us 15% off retail at Blenheim! It would be lovely if staff mentioned this, as it’s definitely worth knowing before you shop.
We’re already looking forward to returning in the autumn to tick off the bits we missed this time, and maybe squeeze in a few more treats.
Top 5 Things to Do at Blenheim Palace
- The Gardens & Grounds – Acres of parkland for exploring
- The Palace Tour – Step inside and marvel at the history
- The Rooftop Tour – (limited time) A rare view you won’t get again once the restoration is done
- The Adventure Playground – Perfect for little explorers needing a break from “grown-up” sightseeing.
- Seasonal Events – From Halloween trails to magical Christmas lights, these add an extra sparkle to your visit.
Check out the What’s on page for all the latest upcoming events
