Victorian Games in the Pleasure Gardens

Easter Holiday Entertainment 5th - 20th April

This Easter holiday come and enjoy traditional Victorian games and activities for all the family. Take a ride on the miniature train to the Pleasure Gardens and have a go at traditional games like croquet, hopscotch, quoits and the hula-hoop challenge, or test your strength on the striker!

Meet our Victorian costumed characters who will tell you about the leisure pursuits of the Victorian era. Enjoy storytelling and all of the attractions in the Pleasure Gardens including the Marlborough Maze, the Butterfly House and Adventure Play Area.

To purchase tickets click here

Victorian Costumed Entertainers

Our Victorian entertainer will be in the Pleasure Gardens on weekends 5th, 6th, 12th,13th and 19th, 20th April. He will be talking about sporting history opposite the 'Blenheim Bygones' exhibition at 12.00, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00 and 4.00pm for 20 mins.

On weekedays the games will be supervised by our friendly Victorian housemaid who will be able to tell you about the history of the Victorian games and how to play them.

Storytelling

During the fortnight of Victorian themed family activities The Oxford Storyteller Marguerite Osborne will tell intriguing tales about Victorian children in the Pleasure Gardens.

Storytelling will take place on weekdays from April 7th to 11th and April 14th to 18th with four different programmes each day at 12.30, 1.30, 2.30 and 3.30pm.

Also in the Pleasure Gardens

After exploring the Marlborough Maze, the Butterfly House and ‘Blenheim Bygones’ exhibition, have a go at giant chess and drafts, mini golf and the Adventure Play Area. Families can recharge their batteries in the Gardens Cafe with hot and cold refreshments, as well as ‘make-your-own Easter cookies’. Visit the Pleasure Gardens Shop to find fun Victorian games and toys to take home with you, and much more!

The Palace

To make your day complete, take a stroll up to the magnificent Palace where the Marlborough table is decorated for Easter with twisted willow branches, filled with nests of hyacinths, miniature narcissi and Easter eggs, and a splendid tall display of  hazel branches and painted eggs. Family tours will be available every hour on the hour from 11am – 4pm, and music will be played on Sunday afternoons in the Long Library.

When

5th – 20th April

The Palace and formal gardens are open daily until 2nd November 2008, 10.30am - 5.30pm (last admission 4.45pm) . The Palace and formal gardens are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5th November to 14th December. The Park opens daily except Christmas Day. The Park opens at 9am, the Palace and Pleasure Gardens at 10.30am.

Where

The Pleasure Gardens

Click here for directions to Blenheim Palace

For Blenheim Palace admission prices click here.

Refreshments

Refreshments will be available from The Pleasure Gardens Café, The Water Terrace Café,and The Ice Cream Parlour. A selection of afternoon tea menus will be available from the Water Terrace Cafe.

Please note

Dogs are not allowed in the formal gardens

Free parking is available