The Pleasure Gardens
The Pleasure Gardens can be reached by the miniature train, on foot or there is a small car park. It is the perfect place for families to while away an hour or two, watching exotic butterflies, muddling around the Marlborough Maze or letting off steam in the Adventure Playground.
The Train
The narrow-gauge railway links the Palace to the Pleasure Gardens. A firm favourite with children and adults alike, the railway operates daily from April until October at half-hour intervals. The diesel locomotive, Sir Winston Churchill, pulls three canopied carriages and can reach a speed of 12 mph.
Train Times:
From the Palace - First train 11am and then on the hour and half hour, last train 5.10pm
Pleasure Gardens - First train 11.15am and then at quarter two the hour and quarter past the hour, last train 5.30pm
Please note that during busy times the train runs more frequently.
(From time-to-time the miniature train will not be running due to general maintenance. Please check prior to your visit).
The Marlborough Maze
The Marlborough Maze is the world's second largest symbolic hedge maze, designed to reflect the history and architecture of the Palace. The maze covers an area of just over an acre (0.4 hectare) and has two high wooden bridges which provide perfect vantage points. Within the maze area is a model of a Woodstock street, putting greens, as well as a giant chess and draughts set.
Butterfly House
In the Butterfly House, exotic tropical butterflies can be seen in free flight. The special hatchery contains the pupae of many of the species, bred on site - so at Blenheim, it's possible to study the full life-cycle. More exotic butterflies can be seen, depending on the season. The Monarch from North America, the Owl butterflies of Central and South America and the Heliconius butterflies, also from Central and South America.
Adventure Play Area
Children can let off steam in our Adventure Play Area which is situated withing the Pleasure Gardens. The Adventure Play Area is a purpose bulit wooden play area including plank bridges to run across, ladders to climb, swings and slides to enjoy.
Please note the Adventure Play Area will be closed for essential repairs from Monday 27th June re-opening 2nd July. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
"This is a magical place."
Visitor, November 2010
