What's On: Gulliver's Travels - A Fairytale Christmas at Blenheim Palace
13 November to 12 December 2010
The festive season is a particularly special time at Britain's Greatest Palace when the State rooms are beautifully decorated for Christmas. This year a special exhibition will highlight the recent filming at the Palace for the Fox UK film productioon of 'Gulliver's Travels' in which Blenheim Palace appears in scenes as the Palace of Lilliput. Due for release in cinemas in December, this modern remake of Jonathan Swift's classic tale with incredible special effects stars Jack Black, Billy Connelly, Catherine Tate, Emily Blunt and James Corden.
Throughout the Christmas season the Palace will be decorated with magical displays depicting highlights from the classic tale of a giant lost in the miniature land of Lilliput. Glowing fires provide a warm welcome in the State Rooms and each will feature displays bringing the magic of this much loved tale to life. The Great Hall will feature a travelers theme with a boat and hot air balloons amidst the grand scale of magnificent Christmas trees. In the Saloon the grand table will be set for a Royal Lilliputian feast as featured in the film, swathed in beautiful white and gold, with a place setting for a giant at one end of the grand banquet table!
The land of Lilliput will be brought to life in the Long Library with exquisite Dolls Houses provided by the Dolls House Emporium.
School Choirs
On the final weekend of the season (11th and 12th December) a variety of special Christmas entertainment will take place in the Palace.
| Saturday 11th December | 1st Performance | 2nd Performance |
| Combe Primary School | 11am - 11.20am | 11.50am - 12.10pm |
| Woodstock Primary School | 2pm - 2.20pm | 2.50pm -3.10pm |
| Sunday 12th December | ||
| The Marlborough School | 11am - 11.20am | 11.50am - 12.10pm |
| Cranford House School | 2pm - 2.10pm | 2.50pm - 3.10pm |
Festive Dining at the Palace
Seasonal menus will be available daily in the Water Terraces Café and traditional Sunday lunches can be booked in the Indian Room or Orangery until 12th December. A three-course lunch with a glass of wine and coffee is available. Lunches are available from midday to 2.30pm. New festive afternoon teas are available to book during the Christmas season. To book please call 01993 813874 or email sales@blenheimhospitality
Christmas Shopping
Come and explore Blenheim Palace's wonderful gift shops, which offer a range of unique and elegant products reflecting the timeless sophistication and inspirational history of Britain's Greatest Palace. Choose from a selection of nostalgia books, faux antique trinkets, British textiles and locally produced toiletries, honey and preserves. Find classic Brtisih brands such as Barbour and Penhaligons of London, as well as many lines produced exclusively for Blenheim Palace.
Christmas Trees on Sale
Freshly-harvested Christmas trees will be on sale at Flagstaff Gate at the Palace from the 1st December. To pre-order call 01993 813196 or email christmastrees@blenheimpalace.com
From 13th December the Palace and Formal Gardens are closed for the winter.
The Park remains open daily all year round (except Christmas Day) for winter walks, and there are plenty of Christmas shopping opportunities as the main Gift shop is open daily until 23rd December from 10am-5.30pm.
