Frequently Asked Questions

We can’t wait to see you. To help you with your visit all tickets must be purchased in advance; this allows faster entry at the gates, one quick scan and you’ll be through. You will also receive our latest information on what’s happening and how to make the most of your day at the Palace. The great thing is you can even book online the day of your visit. Annual Pass holders do not need to book.

You no longer need to book a time slot for entry into the Park or into the Palace. We recommend exploring the Palace later in your visit as the mornings are busy and you may be asked to queue for entry.

Any offers and promotions must be booked online before arrival, these cannot be redeemed on site.

Book your tickets

Our Palace is over 300 years old and needs constant attention. All funds raised through admission charges are invested in vital conservation and restorations projects to help protect our legacy.

Gift Aid is a government scheme that allows charities to reclaim tax from donations, which means that for every £1 donated we can claim an additional 25p. As charity we can treat admission charges as donations, allowing you to Gift Aid and help conserve our World Heritage Site.

And the best bit is that it won’t cost you a penny, just choose to Gift Aid in the checkout, and we will convert your Palace, Park and Gardens ticket into an Annual Pass as a thank you.

You are eligible to Gift Aid if...

• Tax is taken from your wages or pension before you receive them
• You have to fill in a self-assessment form
• You have any taxable savings (in a building society, for instance), or a pension plan, or investment income
• You have recently paid any capital gains tax, or expect to pay it in the near future. This could be on the sale of a property or some shares, for example

What if I am a pensioner?

You may still be paying tax on a private pension plan or a savings account, or pay capital gains tax if you sell either a property or shares. You are still eligible if you have paid enough tax during the year to cover your donations (i.e. 25% of the value of your gifts)

The carer ticket for blue badge holders are admitted for free, there is no need to pre-book the carer ticket or notify us in advance, please notify the staff at the gates on arrival. We also have a number of wheelchair and buggy access points and dedicated parking areas for blue badge holders.

Our Christmas displays and Illuminated Trail are externally organised events managed by Ticketek. For all queries relating to the Christmas period, please contact the Ticketek Customer Service Team.

No Blenheim Palace discounts are available for tickets for Christmas at Blenheim Palace. This includes tickets purchased with Tesco vouchers or through any of our ticket partners.

For more detailed information about Christmas, please see our Christmas FAQs.

Christmas FAQs

Car parking on site is included within your entrance ticket price, there is no additional cost for existing ticket or pass holders (parking charges do apply to all visitors during some third-party events, including but not limited to Christmas at Blenheim Palace).

We have a hard-standing gravel car park; a five-minute walk from the Palace.

Blue Badge Holders are reserved the front of our car park for closer access to the Palace and Gardens.

Overflow parking during busy events is located a ten-minute walk from the Palace. Please note that parking may be subject to additional charges for certain events.

No, we do not accept cash. To make your visit more enjoyable and efficient, we operate a cashless system in all areas across the site. This includes, but not limited to, our ticket desks, The Palace Shop and catering outlets.

Where possible we make provisions to ensure the site is accessible for wheelchair, mobility scooter and buggy users.

There is a lift into the Palace state rooms, and into the Orangery restaurant, for wheelchair and scooter access. The maximum weight in these lifts is 200kg for safety reasons. Guests are welcome to transfer to a wheelchair, if possible, and have their scooter sent up separately if it is light enough.

Please review our full accessibility page for all information relating to accessibility at Blenheim Palace.

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Blenheim Palace is an iconic heritage site where you can experience wonderful gardens and the history of the Palace.

We are committed to inclusivity and accessibility and want to ensure all guests who cross our threshold have the best experience possible.

Visitors that come with children are always welcome to Blenheim Palace and under 3s can visit us for free.

Please review our full families page for all information relating to visits with babies and children.

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Please see our cafés and restaurants page for the options currently available.

Picnics are welcome in the Park, but we kindly ask that visitors respect the Park and use the bins provided. The use of barbecues, disposable or otherwise are not permitted on site.

Cafés and Restaurants

Free wifi is available throughout all areas of the Palace open to the Public. We encourage all of our visitors to make use of it and to share your photos and memories on our social media pages, use #blenheimpalace on Instagram for a chance to be featured as our 'pic of the week'! 

Blenheim Palace is a great place to bring your dog, we have so much space out in the Parkland and they are welcome to join you in many areas. We request that you keep dogs on a lead at all times, to help protect livestock and wildlife.

Please note:

• Dogs are not permitted in the Formal Gardens and the main area of the Walled Garden.
• Areas of the park are sectioned off by electric fencing to ensure our livestock stay grazing these parts of the park. 

Find out more about dogs at Blenheim Palace

You are permitted to take a small bag only into the Palace which should be carried on your front or by your side.

On cold days, some areas of the site may be closed due to frost, snow or high winds. This is reviewed on a day-to-day basis.

Blenheim Palace is a great place to be during periods of hot weather, but also requires a little extra care. We've put together some top tips to keep everyone safe and happy in the sunshine.

Hot weather

Cycling is not permitted in the Blenheim Palace courtyard, Formal Gardens, or Park. However, visitors are welcome to use the main roads to cycle to and from the Palace and gates. We have cycle racks next to The Palace Shop.

The use of adult scooters, skateboards, rollerskates, 'hoverboards' or any similar equipment is not permitted in the Blenheim Palace courtyards, Walled Garden, Formal Gardens or Park. Children are permitted to ride on scooters, push-bikes/balance bikes and tricycles in the Park only, and must be supervised at all times. Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring children are wearing the appropriate safety gear.

We encourage visitors' photography on site and love seeing visitors' photos on social media. You can share your moments using #blenheimpalace. Photography inside the Palace is permitted but we ask that flash is kept off to prevent damage to our artefacts. Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted inside the Palace.

Please note that wedding related photography and videography are exclusive to those getting married at Blenheim Palace. In order to preserve the exclusivity for the couples who choose to share their special day with us, professional portrait, engagement, pre-wedding or wedding day photography are not permitted in the Courtyards, Palace, Gardens or Grounds. We thank you for your understanding.

Due to Blenheim Palace being in close proximity to Oxford Airport and for the protection of the public and buildings, filming with a drone is not permitted onsite and any unauthorised drone use can result in a significant fine and prosecution of the drone pilot.

Commercial photography or filming is not permitted onsite without prior permission, however, we welcome commercial filming enquiries, for more information. Find out more about Blenheim Palace as a Filming Location.