Churchill and Blenheim Palace – A Lifelong Fascination
Feb 02, 2018
“At Blenheim I took two very important decisions; to be born and to marry. I am content with the decision I took on both occasions…”Sir Winston Churchill
Enter into the private world of our ‘Greatest Briton’ at Blenheim Palace in 2018. Take the ‘Walk in Churchill’s Footsteps’ Trail. Follow the trail throughout the Palace, Park and Formal Gardens to find Sir Winston Churchill’s favourite and most cherished places. Plus discover a dedicated exhibition within the Palace.
Visitors can explore a fascinating exhibition housed in five of the Oxfordshire Palace’s rooms featuring the key moments in Churchill’s life as well as artefacts, photographs and interesting facts that provide an extraordinary insight into the private life of this very public figure.
Churchill was born and baptised at Blenheim Palace, proposed to his beloved Clementine there and is buried beside her in St Martin’s Church overlooking the Estate.
Created as a magnificent monument to his ancestor, the First Duke of Marlborough, following his stunning military victories against the French, Blenheim was a place Churchill returned to again and again throughout his tumultuous life.
Step inside the room where he was born; complete with a lock of his hair and discover the true story about his unplanned arrival!
Discover fascinating items, including his pony saddle, which help to paint the picture of Churchill’s childhood. Tales of his early equestrian career feature in his juvenile letters from boarding school to his Grandmother, the 7th Duchess of Marlborough.
Relive his extraordinary early military career, his time as a war correspondent during the Boer War and his entry into politics.
Get up close to one of Churchill’s famous velvet ‘romper’ suit also known as the ‘Siren Suit’, which he was renowned for wearing with his monogrammed slippers whilst in the Cabinet War Rooms during the darkest days of WWII.
The interactive exhibition uses multi-media to enhance the visitor experience including video content which is screened within the rooms. There are transcripts from private communications and a section is dedicated to Churchill’s past love interests too.
Head into the Palace Formal Gardens and Parkland to see the grounds he explored as a child and the stone temple where he proposed to his beloved wife Clementine during a summer storm.
Finally visit his last resting place in St Martin’s churchyard in the neighbouring village of Bladon with views back across the estate towards the Palace itself. Churchill’s funeral was one of the largest ever staged and brought virtually the entire country, and much of the world, to a standstill as a grateful population paused to acknowledge the passing of a great leader.
Visitors can complete their day out with lunch or dinner in The Orangery Restaurant, making sure to partner the seasonal dishes with a glass of Churchill’s favourite Champagne, Pol Roger Brut Réserve NV.
WHAT: The Churchill Experience at Blenheim Palace
WHY VISIT: Visitors will enjoy a day out to experience all aspects of Sir Winston Churchill’s life and career at Blenheim Palace.
ADMISSION: Palace, Park & Gardens ticket required: Adult £26.00 / Child £14.50 (Age 5-16) /
Concession £23.00 / Family £62.50 (2 Adults & 2 Children)
WEBSITE: blenheimpalace.com
