School Visits
From April 22, we will be offering new educational experiences aimed at KS1, KS2 and KS3 groups. We will be launching five new workshops in history, English, maths, art and geography.
In each workshop, pupils will work together using a range of materials and methods to find information that will help them to solve challenges. They'll learn from Churchill's inspiring speeches, historical objects that they can handle, and the buildings and environment of the Palace. The teamwork and interactive nature of the workshops is designed to be a fun and fulfilling environment for learning, and teams will be rewarded for their effort and their approach to the tasks set.
The content of the workshops is chosen with the likely interests of the participants in mind. Complimentary interactive handsets are included in some workshops.
In the History and English workshops, pupils will search for a clue at each desk, and work together to come up with a single digit answer. Once the digits are found, they will be combined to open a chest filled with rewards.
In the Maths workshop, pupils will also work together to find a single digit answer at each table. Once the digits are put together, it will open a chest filled with rewards.
In the Art workshop, pupils will build a CAM toy. The lesson is designed to follow a visit of the Stables Exhibition.
The Geography workshop is a trail where pupils will visit seven different destinations around the Walled Garden. At each destination they will find some information along with a piece of a jigsaw. Once all seven pieces have been collected, the clue on the jigsaw will lead them to their final destination.
| History | English | Maths | Art | Geography | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KS1 | X | X | X | X | |
| KS2 | X | X | X | X | X |
| KS3 | X | X |
All workshops are staff led. History, Maths and Art visits consist of a one-hour workshop plus an interactive handset to complement the visit.
Geography and Art workshops are temporarily unavailable.
| History | |
|---|---|
| Staff led | One-hour workshop focusing on Winston Churchill and the Second World War. |
| Self led | One-hour interactive handset focusing on the Second World War at Blenheim Palace. |
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| English | |
|---|---|
| Staff led | One-hour workshop focusing on Winston Churchill and public speaking. |
| Self led | 30 minute visit of the Churchill Exhibition. |
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| Maths | |
|---|---|
| Staff led | One-hour workshop on calculating and reasoning. |
| Self led | One-hour interactive handset focusing on Symmetry and Shapes around the outside of the Palace. |
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| Art - temporarily unavailable | |
|---|---|
| Staff led | Two-hour workshop focusing on mechanical design & building a CAM toy. |
| Self led | One-hour interactive handset focussing on Baroque and Design around the outside of the Palace, and visit of the Stables Exhibition. |
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|
| Geography - temporarily unavailable | |
|---|---|
| Staff led | One-hour outdoor trail. |
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The minimum number of pupils in a group is 15.
| History | English | Maths | Art | Geography | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimal number of pupils | 20 | 20 | 30 | 60 | 30 |
| Number of timeslots | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Total capacity in one day | 80 | 80 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Location | MI5 Room | MI5 Room | Education Room | Education Room | Walled Garden |
For the History, English and Maths workshops, five mixed ability groups will need to be pre-arranged before the visit. Ideally, we would require five adults to supervise each desk / table.
In line with our Groups rates, we will charge £12.25 per pupil.
We offer one free adult place for every five pupils aged 5-16. The extra ratio adult rate is £21.70.
We are currently operating a cashless system throughout the Estate.
Payment is taken on the day. We take cards and cheques. Cheques are made payable to Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation, and invoicing is an option for our Blenheim credit account holders. We do not take payment in advance. and we do not operate a cancellations policy, although as much notice of cancellation as possible is appreciated.
The Education Team are here to assist you in planning a safe and enjoyable day out for your pupils. An itinerary will be discussed and agreed when confirming a booking.
We recommend that all school visits are booked in advance no later than two weeks before the planned visit.
To make a booking, please complete our booking form. If you have questions prior to booking, please contact our team.
Booking form - paper version (print, fill in, save and post or scan and email)
Booking form - electronic version (fields can be filled in on the computer, save and email)
Additional planning information
When you book a visit with workshops, the Education Room will be reserved for your school as the base for the day.
- The Education Room is located up one flight of stairs.
Once you are ready to leave the Education Room:
- Please wipe down the tables after use. Wipes will be made available.
- Thank you for putting the chairs on the tables.
- We segregate our waste. Please take back to school all organic waste, and segregate other rubbish in the General Waste bin and Recycling Bin.
- Please ensure you don’t leave anything behind.
- Don’t forget to switch off the lights and close the door behind you.
The facilities in the Palace area are located:
- in the Gift Shop
- near the Churchill Exhibition
- in the Stables Café
The facilities in the Walled Garden area are located:
- in the Pizza Café
- near the Bygones Exhibition
If you have access requirements:
- Palace: There is a wheelchair lift. A member of staff will operate the lift for you.
- Lunch: Arrangements will be made with one of the eateries run by Searcy’s to allow the use of their space for lunch for pupils with access requirements.
- Accessible toilets are located in the Gift Shop and near the Churchill Exhibition.
It is the responsibility of the school making the booking to carry out a risk assessment for their visit.
To view our advisory risk assessment documents, please click the links below. These are designed to assist, but not to replace the school’s own risk assessment. A staff pre-visit is strongly recommended for risk assessment.
- 2022 Blenheim Palace Risk Assessment General Information
- 2022 Blenheim Palace Risk Assessment Information for Indoor Areas
- 2022 Blenheim Palace Risk Assessment Information for Outdoor Areas
Free school pre-visit recces are possible on weekdays (including half-term and end of term). This must be booked in advance. A guest/contractor COVID declaration form must be completed, signed and returned within 24 hours of the intended visit. Please click here to access the form.
If you require one of the documents listed below, these are available upon request:
- Health and Safety policy
- Public Liability Insurance
- Safeguarding policy
If you require one or more parking spaces, please inform us on the type and number of vehicles you’ll be traveling in.
Please arrive through the main gate on the A44 / Oxford Road.
If arriving by coach, please park in one of the Coach Parks, or as instructed by our staff upon arrival:
- If parking in the main visitors’ car park, please park before getting off the coach.
- If parking at the Walled Garden, the group may be dropped off at the crossroad.
Non-authorised vehicles are no longer allowed at the Flagstaff Visitor Information Point.
Access to the Park & Gardens
The first possible Park arrival is 9.30.
Access to the Palace
The first possible Palace entry is 10.30.
We are currently controlling visitors’ flow inside the palace to allow social distancing. For groups of children aged 5-11, it is recommended that there is at least one adult for every 10 children. For groups of students aged 12-17, it is recommended that there is at least one adult for every 15 students.
General
There are Web Apps for the Palace State Rooms and the Formal Gardens. These can be followed on personal devices. Visitors may connect to our Blenheim Free Wi-Fi network.
To help you prepare your visit of the State Rooms, here is a 360° tour of the general visitors’ route: View the 360° tour.
There are also videos on various subjects on our YouTube channel.
Winston Churchill
There is a Web Appfor the Churchill Exhibition, and to help you prepare your visit of the Churchill Exhibition, here is a 360° tour of the exhibition’s route.
Trails
We have seasonal and permanent trails.
- Download our tree trail
- Read about our bee trail
- Investigate our film and TV trail: Lights, Camera, Action!
- Download our Sensory Garden Adventure Map
EYFS
All children in Early Years Foundation Stage groups are welcome to visit free of charge on the condition of all adults paying. It is recommended that there should be one adult for every five children aged 2-4.
- For a visit to the Park and Gardens only, each adult will be charged £13.65.
- For a visit to the Palace, Park and Gardens, each adult will be charged £21.70.
KS4
It is recommended that there should be one adult for every 10 students aged 14-16. Following our recommendation, we offer one free adult place for every 10 students.
- For a visit to the Park and Gardens only, each student will be charged £6.65.
- For a visit to the Palace, Park and Gardens, each adult will be charged £12.25.
KS5 and Further Education
It is recommended that there should be one adult for every 10 students aged 17-18. Following our recommendation, we offer one free adult place for every 10 students.
- For a visit to the Park and Gardens only, each student will be charged £12.95.
- For a visit to the Palace, Park and Gardens, each student will be charged £20.65.
Home Education
Home Education group visits can be booked on weekdays during Oxfordshire term time (excluding Bank Holidays).
Adult Learning
Adult learners (all attendees aged 18+) may book a visit with our Groups Team. Please contact them on 01993 815 600 or drop them an email.
COVID-19
We are following the UK Government guidelines. To view our current COVID-19 guidance, please click here.
- All visitors aged 12+ in the group are encouraged to wear a face covering in indoor areas such as the Palace, the exhibitions, the shop, the cafés, and the facilities.
- Exemptions are children under the age of 12 and visitors who cannot wear one because of a medical condition.
- All visitors will be encouraged to sanitise hands before entering indoor areas.
- We are currently operating a one-way system everywhere possible.
When governmental restrictions are in place, all education groups must submit a trip risk assessment and a COVID declaration form. At this time, according to current government guidelines, only the trip risk assessment is required.
Feedback Form
Thank you for your visit to Blenheim Palace. We would be grateful for your feedback on your experience.
Please click the links below to complete an electronic or paper Feedback Form.
