'Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story' 300 years of enticing tales
Discover more details of life at Blenheim Palace over the last 300 years in the new visitor experience open within the heart of the Palace. Follow our virtual lady’s maid as she invites you to immerse yourself in the illustrious family history, seen through the eyes of the household staff. Meet some of the more colourful characters such as the wilful 1st Duchess of Marlborough and listen to tales of dramatic events that affected the lives of all who have lived here.
The new experience offers a world of unique and fascinating perspectives as you meet Grace Ridley, the 1st Duchess’s beloved maid. Grace appears and reappears as a ghostly figure to guide you beneath the glamour and grandeur of the Palace and reveal its hidden history. Follow Grace as she tells some of the lesser known stories about Britain’s Greatest Palace and its fascinating inhabitants. See Grinling Gibbons struggle under the weight of stone carvings as Grace tells of the wilful 1st Duchess, and her demands on the building of the Palace; the 1st Duke’s affair with the mistress of King Charles II; and the 8th Duke’s pioneering scientific experiments.
At various points of the experience you will temporarily step out of the story into the present, where graphic panels, interactive exhibits and touch screen consoles provide different levels of information, allowing you to learn more about the Marlborough family and their servants. At the touch of a button the fascinating link with the Spencers is uncovered, as well as details of how many men ‘Capability’ Brown used to dig and line the famous lake. Find out about about the servants life at Blenheim Palace; their wages, their working conditions in this iconic house and their relationships with the family over the centuries. Many stories are told – happy and sad, sometimes shocking, always fascinating.
The new experience lasts about 35 minutes and is included within the Palace, Park and Gardens ticket price. No separate tickets is required.
"Absolutely fascinating. What a wonderful presentation and a superb idea."
Visitor, 2007
