New 'Garden Discovery Tours' for Groups in 2010

The beauty and splendour of the Park and Gardens at Blenheim Palace is unrivalled in Britain. Stunning in all seasons, the Palace is surrounded by over 2,000 acres of 'Capability' Brown landscaped Park and lake. The award-winning Formal Gardens include the Italian Garden, The Secret Garden, the Water Terraces, the Rose Garden, Arboretum and the newly restored Dam and Cascade.

Jeri Bapasola, Archival Researcher at Blenheim Palace and author of the newly published book The Finest View in England - the Landscape and Gardens at Blenheim Palace will lead these exciting new 'Garden Discovery Tours' including newly uncovered material and an opportunity to view places not usually open to the public.

A New Understanding of the Gardens at Blenheim Palace

So much of what has been commonly said about the gardens is now proved to be wrong. The true story is substantially revealed for the first time in this new tour, based on recently uncovered material researched by Jeri Bapasola for her book, The Finest View in England - the Landscape and Gardens at Blenheim Palace. The influence of many great gardeners (including 'Capability' Brown, Henry Wise, Achille Duchêne) and renowned architects (John Vanbrugh, Nicholas Hawksmoor, William Chambers) is discussed in an illustrated talk by the author, after which she will lead an hour-long walk in the grounds focussing on many important garden features. This tour takes the opportunity to include further unpublished material.

'Capability' Brown at Blenheim Palace

Employed by the 4^th Duke of Marlborough, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown completely redesigned the landscape at Blenheim Palace, transforming the earlier formal garden layout created by John Vanbrugh and Henry Wise. Based on recently discovered material published in The Finest View in England - the Landscape and Gardens at Blenheim Palace, this illustrated talk by the author, Jeri Bapasola, will reveal the extent of Brown's work, the nature of his 'improvements' and how the task was accomplished over a ten-year period from 1763. The talk will be followed by a walking tour of the gardens, taking in many of Brown's landscape features and a wealth of information space prevented being included in the book.

Rediscovering the 18^th Century 'Garden Circuit Walk'

An unusual and unique garden experience which takes you along the route traditionally followed by early visitors to Blenheim Palace in the period immediately after 'Capability' Brown's remodelling of the grounds. The walk will include areas not generally open to the public and will be led by Jeri Bapasola, Archival Researcher at Blenheim Palace and author of the newly published book The Finest View in England - the Landscape and Gardens at Blenheim Palace.

Blenheim's 20^th Century Gardens Revealed

Based on new research which overturns previous misconceptions on the gardens at Blenheim Palace, this tour reveals the work undertaken by the 9^th Duke of Marlborough with his French landscape architect, Achille Duchêne in creating one of the most impressive outdoor spaces at Blenheim Palace - and Water Terrace Gardens. Led by Jeri Bapasola, author of a new book on the landscape and gardens at Blenheim Palace, the tour will also touch on Duchêne's remodelling of the Italian Garden and the reconstruction of the Great Court. An illustrated talk will be followed by a walk around the Water Terraces and the Great Court.

Details and booking procedure

Each day begins at 10.30am in the Palace's Indian Room with a talk followed a tour of the Gardens led by Jeri Bapasola. The tour finishes at 12.30pm and you are free to spend the rest of the day in the Palace and grounds. For details of booking and prices please contact the Groups' Co-ordinator on 01993 811091 to book or email operations@blenheimpalace.com for further information.

A group consists of 15+.

For more information visit www.blenheimpalace.com or call Freephone 0800 849 6500 (24 hour recorded information)

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