Giant Christmas Trees Take Pride of Place in Palace

The trees are so large it took a team of four to fell, transport and carry them into the UNESCO World Heritage site’s Great Hall.

It was then the turn of the house guides to get to work decorating the firs, which were grown in the Oxfordshire estate’s forestry, with ladders and extendable bauble-placing poles.

Blenheim Palace’s, Kate Ballenger, said: “It’s always something of a military operation to get the trees down to the Palace in the first place and then to place them in just the right spot in the Great Hall.

“It’s taken three days in total to finish decorating them but the results are truly spectacular and the reaction from our visitors has been very rewarding.

“As they are living trees they give off a fantastic pine smell which is really helping to get everyone in the festive mood,” he added.

In addition to the giant trees, visitors can enjoy a spectacular after-dark festive trail of lights through the Estate’s Formal Gardens.

Opening later this month ‘Christmas at Blenheim’ features a winding illuminated trail through the ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped Parkland.

The trail features everything from scented fire gardens, singing Christmas trees to a swaying lawn of fibre optic colour and sparkling hedgerows.

The lake will be aglow with brightly-lit boats and dancing fountain jets, and the woodland across the Great Lake will spring to life in time to much-loved Christmas music.

Other highlights include the fairy-lit arbour and the lakeside boathouse which will become Santa’s workshop.