Explore the Palace

This tour of the Palace will take the visitors back to the 18th century when the 1st Duke of Marlborough won the Battle of Blenheim, which earned him the building of this large country home. They will learn about the people who lived and worked here throughout the last 300 years; how the Palace was used during both World Wars, and how Winston Churchill was connected to the Family.

Blenheim Palace is a private home. The visitors will be encouraged to compare this large house to a smaller dwelling. They will be invited to imagine how the residing families and their guests used the rooms, and how they are used today. Observations will focus on furniture, heating, lighting, sanitation, communication, floors, ceilings, windows, staircases and food supply.

Life at Blenheim Palace during the Victorian era was a sharp contrast to life in large cities. The differences will the focus of the visit. The visitors will also hear about how the 7th Duke (Winston’s grandfather) and the 9th Duke (Winston’s cousin) lived at the Palace, and how they contributed greatly to the impoverished community of the surrounding towns and villages.

The programme is an introduction of the current Royal Family and how the Spencer-Churchill family members were involved during Coronation ceremonies. It will include a segment on the significance of the monarch’s role and conclude with a comparison between a royal crown and a ducal coronet.

The First World War affected everyone who lived and worked on the Blenheim Palace Estate. The 9th Duke and his cousins played their part in the war effort on the front line and the ladies and children also contributed on the home front. The Palace was used as a convalescence hospital and the gardens were turned into a large food production site.

Blenheim Palace was requisitioned from the very start of the Second World War. The 10th Duke welcomed 400 boys evacuated from their school, Malvern College. The Palace was also used by MI5 and the British Council. Once again, everyone who lived and worked on the Estate contributed to the war effort in some way.

Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace in 1874. He spent a lot of time here as a boy and he visited very often throughout the 90 years of his life. The visitors will hear stories about his various personal and professional achievements, and of his love for the house and its gardens. His accomplishments connect him to the Palace at every stage of his life.