Christmas FAQs

• Parking
• Annual Pass Holders
• Buying an Annual Pass during Christmas
• What should I bring and wear?
• Shopping
• Opening times for exhibitions
• Food and Drink
• Photography and Video
• Can I bring my dog this Christmas?
• Discounts
• Darwin Escapes

Parking

Parking should be purchased through Ticketek, either separately or when booking tickets for Neverland® in the Palace or the Illuminated Trail. If visiting for reasons other than visiting Neverland® in the Palace or the Illuminated Trail, separate parking tickets after 10am will be available to pre-book soon.  

Book Tickets with Parking 

If parking has not been pre-booked it will cost £12 on the day, and will be available to purchase up to 14.00 only, subject to availability. Visitors arriving after 14.00 will not be able to purchase on site parking on the day.

Annual Pass Holders who have not pre-booked will be charged £12 for parking, subject to availability on the day. This doesn't guarantee a space, please pre-book through Ticketek for guaranteed parking with the link above.

Annual Pass Holders

Annual Pass Holders will benefit from free entry into the Palace before 16.00 subject to availability.

A ticket for free entry MUST be booked online in advance and one valid Annual Pass must be shown on arrival for each ticket - failure to do so will result in a full price charge on the day or refusal of entry.

Annual Pass Holder free entry does not apply on Saturday 7th December,  Saturday 14th December and Sunday 15th December, Saturday 21st December and Sunday 22nd December. 

Parking for Annual Pass Holders is subject to pre-booking, see Parking guidelines above.

If parking is not pre-booked, Annual Pass Holders are eligible for a £12 on-the-day parking fee, subject to availability on the day. This doesn't guarantee a space; please pre-book through Ticketek for guaranteed parking.

Buying an Annual Pass during Christmas

Purchasing a ticket for Neverland® in the Palace gives you the option of donating the cost of admission to convert it to an Annual Pass, the same as buying a Palace, Park and Gardens day ticket outside the Christmas period.

We welcome your support in donating your admission to the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation. With your help we can continue to complete vital restoration and conservation works to keep Blenheim maintained and secure for future generations. 

It's easy to convert your Neverland® in the Palace ticket to an Annual Pass either during your Christmas visit or on your next visit. The Annual Pass will start from the original date of your Neverland® in the Palace ticket. If you are eligible, subsequently agreeing to Gift Aid will also help us.

What should I bring and wear?

The Illuminated Light Trail takes place outdoors and you may need to queue outdoors for The Palace on busy days. Please wear appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear. We reserve the right to refuse inappropriately clothed patrons access to the trail if it is felt they are open to a greater risk of injury.

Shopping

The East Courtyard gift shop will be open between 9.30 and 22.00 and will be well stocked with a variety of Christmas gifts.

Opening times for exhibitions

Opening times can vary during the Christmas period. Please check back on our website for up to date information if weather conditions are bad.

Certain exhibitions are still open but may have different timings from the opening times of the Christmas attractions, the gardens and the park. Please refer to the relevant exhibition page for more information and exact timings.

Food and Drink

A wide range of seasonal food and drink will be available to purchase in the East Courtyard, including gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options. You'll also find a selection along the Illuminated Light Trail, including mulled wine and mince pies.

Food and drink are strictly prohibited within the Palace.

Photography and Video

We encourage you to take photographs and to share these on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #ChristmasAtBlenheimPalace. 

For commercial photography and filming enquries please contact marketing@blenheimpalace.com.

Can I bring my dog this Christmas?

Dogs are allowed access to the Christmas Market but not within the Palace or on the illuminated trail. 

Please under no circumstances leave your dog in the car while you attend. 

Only guide dogs and registered assistance dogs are allowed within the Palace or on the Illuminated Trail.

Discounts

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. It also includes discounts through Blue Light, Defence, English Heritage, Green travel, Newt, NHS, RHS and all Blenheim Palace complimentary tickets.

Darwin Escapes

We are delighted to have partnered with Darwin Escapes to create Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat; a collection of luxury self-catering lodges set in the grounds of our Estate. Make the most of your Christmas experience and book to stay in one of our lodges.