Blenheim Palace, England 🇬🇧 2022

Date: 29th May 2022

Travelled: 90 kms from Oxford to Stratford-upon-Avon, The West Midlands.

Visited: Blenheim Palace

Stayed: Stratford-upon-Avon Race Course, £22, N52.18200, W01.72450

Budget: 4 days @ $ very expensive per day.

A very peaceful evening at the Red Lion once again. They were setting up for a big night of karaoke but we were in bed by 8.30 and didn’t hear a thing I think we’re both struggling with the time change as we are still waking before 5am. It’s another sunny morning but very chilly. The weather app tells us a change is coming.

We plan a visit to Blenheim Palace today, it’s only about 12 miles north of Oxford just outside what proves to be the picturesque village of Woodstock. We booked our tickets online (£30.50 pp) which has a banner stating there is a triathlon on this weekend. We arrive at 9.30 to find the triathlon in full swing. Other than the palace courtyard being full of bikes it made little difference to our visit as there were very few people actually here to explore the palace.

So we have a coffee and watch the cyclist go by for 20 minutes before walking over to the Palace.

The background to the creation of this estate and the building of the Palace, was the The War of Spanish Succession. In 1704 the Duke of Marlborough (John Churchill, yes, from whom Winston Churchill is descended as well as Princess Diana Spencer ) led the English allied forces against the larger French and Bavarian armies in the decisive Battle of Blenheim. The French and German armies were destroyed. A thank full King granted Marlborough the estate and whatever funds are required to build a suitable home. Marlborough didn’t hold back.

No that’s not the Palace just the entry gate.

The furnishings and artwork are all part of the original Churchill collection and the period clothing all add to this amazing palace. Blenheim is still own by the current 11th Duke of Marlborough.

Our tour inside the palace concludes in the chapel pictured above. The is a Winston Church exhibition as well but we have already seen many references to him and Diana as we have walked about so we go outside to inspect the gardens.

There is also the walled garden and formal garden further out on the estate but closures of the paths because of triathlon means there not open until later in the afternoon, so we’ll give them a miss today.

Blenheim is a fabulous visit and glimpse into a world now long past. We make our way back to the Hymer past the 20 odd food pop-ups here for the triathlon crowd. The Thai look good and smells even better, so we’ll be having a Thai take-away for dinner tonight.

Back in the Hymer we make our way back onto the main road. Driving through the village of Woodstock. It’s packed with cars and people and we would love to have a wander here as well, but no chance on a Sunday afternoon. So we continue on having a leisurely Sunday afternoon drive through the Cotswolds, passing through village after village of stone cottages.

We arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon an hour or so later and head straight for the race course campsite and our next adventure.

Michael + Pam